Here in this presentation we will be seeing different types of output plotters used in CAD/CAM system

1. Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided
Manufacturing
Plotters as output device in CAD/CAM
system

2. Introduction
A plotter produces vector graphics drawings. Plotters
draw lines on paper using a pen. In the past, plotters
were used in applications such as computer-aided
design, as they were able to produce line drawings
much faster and of a higher quality than contemporary
conventional printers, and small desktop plotters were
often used for business graphics. Although they
retained a niche for producing very large drawings for
many years, plotters have now largely been replaced
by wide-format conventional printers.
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3. Types of output plotters
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• Flat-belt plotter.
• Drum plotter.
• Pinch-roller plotter.
• Electrostatic plotter.
• Inkjet plotter.
• Cutting plotter.

4. Flat-belt plotter
A graphics output device
that draws by moving a pen
in both horizontal and
vertical directions over a
sheet of paper; the overall
size of the drawing is
limited by the height and
width of this bed.
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5. Drum plotter
The drum plotter is a
specialized output device
whose name indicates its
function. This device works
by moving a pen on a single
axis track while the paper
moves on a cylindrical
drum. Typically, the drum
moves the paper to the right
and left, while the pen or
pens draw up and down.
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6. Pinch roller
In these types of plotters,
the paper is placed on a
mechanism consisting of
pinch rollers. The paper
moves on these rollers in
one direction while the pen
moves in another direction.
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7. Electrostatic plotter
An electrostatic plotter is a
type of plotter that draws
images on paper with an
electrostatic process. They
are most frequently used for
Computer-Aided
Engineering (CAE),
producing raster images via
either a Liquid Toner or a
Dry Toner model.
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8. Inkjet plotter
The inkjet plotter creates an
image by spraying small
droplets of ink on to paper.
A popular choice for
advertising agencies and
graphic designers, inkjet
plotters are used generally
for large outputs, such as
banners and billboards and
large signs often seen along
roadsides.
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9. Cutting plotter
Cutting plotters use knives
to cut into a piece of
material (such as paper,
mylar film, or vinyl film)
that is lying on the flat
surface area of the plotter. It
is achieved because the
cutting plotter is connected
to a computer, which is
equipped with specialized
cutting design or drawing
computer software
programs.
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10. Advantages of Plotters
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The main advantage you gain by using a plotter is that it allows you
to work on large sheets of paper, while still providing exceptional
quality resolution. The plotter can also print different materials, and
therefore provides you with more options in printing. Plotters can
easily draw on cardboard, plastic, aluminum, plywood, sheet steel,
and other flat sheet materials.
The biggest attributes of the plotter include speed, accuracy,
reproducibility, and efficiency, while in some plotters you have the
option of saving different templates and patterns to get rid of the
hassle of loading templates and patterns repeatedly. It can easily
draw a single pattern over a 1000 times with no degradation.

11. Dis-advantages of Plotters
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The plotter also has quite a lot of disadvantages, but in the long run,
the positives outshine the negatives of this printing machine. If you
don’t have the necessary space to work, and you don’t have the time
to find a good location for your plotter, then you will have some
issues. This is because this machines will take more space than
regular printers, and you also must consider that plotters are more
expensive than printers on the market.

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