Working in the printing or engineering field, daily printing posters and photographs, maps and drawings, you can not do without a plotter. What is a plotter? This device is used to obtain graphic information on large-format media using formless printing technologies.
Plotter characteristics can be classified like other plotters in this way:
- Ability to reproduce colors. There are monochrome, color, and combination, which are oriented to monochrome printing with relatively small inclusions of color printing.
- Application area. Advertising and printing, as well as CAD and graphical engineering systems.
- Image format. It is possible to receive images starting from the formats A0 and A1, ending with a variety of advertising formats.
- The way to display the image. Today, inkjet, pen, electrostatic, direct output, based on thermal transfer, laser are used.
- Performance. Starting from low-power (20 m2 / day), moving to more productive (20 - 50 m2 / day), ending with the most productive - (50 m2 / day).
Classification of plotters.
Inkjet plotters spray ink droplets onto media using printheads. They can be both monochrome and color. Differ in silent work, high reliability, ability to mix paints, high resolution of the press. The only drawback is poor performance.
Pen plotters are based on vector imaging technology. They are divided into roll and tablet. They are inherent in high image quality. There are also disadvantages - high noise and low performance.
Electrostatic plotters. They use the principles of electrostatics in their work. The image is applied using the action of free charges deposited on the surface of the dielectric under the influence of high voltage pulses. Printing on such a printer requires high quality paper. They have high reliability and image quality.
Plotters direct image output uses thermal technology to obtain a monochrome image. They are easy to maintain, high performance and reliable.
Thermotransfer-based plotters also operate on the basis of thermal technology, but the use of a special film allows you to get a color image. Often used to print banners and large posters.
Laser plotters. They have high performance and low noise. They are distinguished by high cost and the ability to print exclusively monochrome images. Despite this, laser plotters are widespread in architecture, printing cards and documents.