How do plotters work?

Answer 1

A plotter is an output peripheral device used with a computer, that can be likened to a printer. However instead of printing text or images, a plotter is more usually used to draw up technical plans and blueprints.

Instead of the print cartridge found in a printer, a plotter commonly uses a pen, although as will become apparent other implements can also be used in place of the pen. If you want to put a mark on a piece of paper with a printer, at a specific point, for example printing off some text, you need to make specific coordinates for where the text will end up on the page. When a printer sets to work, the paper feeds through the printer in a single pass, until the correct place down the length of the paper is found. Then the print head will move across the paper to the correct point and the printing will begin. If a whole page is to be printed, the print head will move across line by line until the text is printed. With a plotter, a similar method of moving the paper and pen holder are used to allow the pen to be in precisely the right point at the right time. However the order of print is different from a printer. The pen does not start at the top right moving to the left and then down a line. The plotter takes the whole image data, then calculates a path for the pen. While the path for the pen may look complicated while the pen is in motion, In fact the plotter has calculated the shortest route for the pen, that involves the least amount of crossed lines as possible. This not only makes the path more efficient, but also ensures there is the least possible chance of the final drawing getting smudged. As said earlier more than just pens can be employed, for example some plotters are used with small knife blades that pivot to follow the path of the plotter. These 'drag knife' cutters are used for such tasks as cutting out vinyl sheet to make custom signs, like the type seen on the sides of vehicles to advertise the details of a company, or tradesman.