Plotters

A plotter is a special output device used to produce hard copies of large graphics and designs on paper, such as contributed maps, and engineering drawings. The plotter is either a peripheral component that you add to your computer system with its own internal processor. It is suitable for applications:

• Architectural plan of the building.
• CAD applications like the design of mechanical components of aircraft.
• Many engineering applications.

Advantages:

• It can produce high-quality output on large sheets.
• It is used to provide the high precession drawing.
• It can produce graphics of various drawings.
• The speed of producing output is high.

Types of Plotters:

• Drum plotter: It consists of a drum. The paper on which the design is made is kept on the drum. The drum can rotate in both directions. Plotters comprised of one or more pens and a pen holder. The holders are mounted perpendicular to the drum surface. The pens are kept in the holder, which can move left to the right as well as the right to the left. The graph plotting program controls the movement of pens and drums.
• Flatbed plotter: It is used to draw complex designs and graphics. The flatbed plotter can be kept over the table. The plotter consists of pen and holder. The pen can draw characters of various sizes. There can be one or more pens and a pen-holding mechanism. Each pen has ink of different color. Different colors help to produce the multicolor design of the document.

A hard copy is a printed copy of information from a computer. Sometimes it refers to a printer, so it is called a hard copy because it exists as a physical object. A hard copy is a tangible output that is usually printed. The principal examples are printouts, whether text on graphics, form printers, and also films including microfilms and microfiche is also considered as hardcopy output.