Plotter

1. Plotter Plotters are a specialist type of printer which is able to draw high quality images on very large piece of paper. They are used by engineers, architects and map-makers to draw plans of buildings, diagrams of machines or large scale maps. They can also be used for many other similar tasks. A plotter differs from a printer in that it draws images using a pen that can be lowered, raised and moved across the paper to form continuous lines. The electronically controlled pen is moved around the paper by computer controlled motors. There are two different types of plotter: Flatbed plotters - A graphics plotter that contains a flat surface that the paper is placed on. and pens are moved to draw the image. The size of this surface (bed) determines the maximum size of the drawing. Drum plotters - In drum plotters the pen is moved in a single axis track and the paper itself moves on a cylindrical drum to add the other axis or dimension. Drum plotter is used to produce continuous output, such as plotting earthquake activity or for long graphics output such as structural view of a skyscraper.

2. Advantages: • They can produce huge printouts. • The print quality is extremely high. Disadvantages: • They are very expensive to buy and maintain. Their print times are very slow.