Editing Plotter (section)

== Types ==
===X–Y plotter===
An '''X–Y plotter''' is a plotter that operates in two axes of motion ("X" and "Y") in order to draw continuous vector graphics. The term was used to differentiate it from standard plotters which had control only of the "y" axis, the "x" axis being continuously fed to provide a plot of some variable with time. Plotters differ from [[inkjet]] and [[laser printer]]s in that a plotter draws a continuous line, much like a pen on paper, while inkjet and laser printers use a very fine matrix of dots to form images, such that while a line may appear continuous to the naked eye, it in fact is a discrete set of points.

X-Y plotters were categorized by two features: the format they could handle (from [[Paper sizes#A4|A4]] up to [[Paper sizes#A0|A0]], the largest papersheet available), and their architecture. The main architecture was flatbed plotters or table plotters. In this configuration the paper lays on a table and a carriage holds the pens. The whole carriage is moving on the X axis on the rail. This rail is moving on the Y axis along the structure of the table. The carriage was equipped of several type of pens depending on the manufacturers. Typically Rotring pens or Pentel pens were mostly used. Usually each carriage held several pens covering the various color needs; typically black, blue, red and green. The other system was roller plotters where the paper moved on the X axis on a large roller and the Y axis was covered by a carriage holding the pens; this carriage moved on a rail creating the Y axis. The main manufacturers of large-format (A0) plotters were Calcomp, a California-based company; and Benson, a French company especially present in Europe and the USSR. For the smaller formats Hewlett-Packard and Tectonics were the main suppliers.

===Electrostatic plotters===
[[Electrostatic plotter]]s used a [[xerography|dry toner transfer process]] similar to that in many [[photocopier]]s. They were faster than pen plotters and were available in large formats, suitable for reproducing engineering drawings. The quality of image was often not as good as contemporary pen plotters. Electrostatic plotters were made in both flat-bed and drum types. The electrostatic plotter uses the pixel as a drawing means, like a [[raster graphics]] display device. The plotter head consists of a large number of tiny styluses (as many as 21760) embedded in it. This head traverses over the width of the paper as it rolls past the head to make a drawing. The resolutions available may be 100 to 508 dots per inch. Electrostatic plotters are very fast with plotting speed of 6 to 32&nbsp;mm/s, depending on the plotter resolution.<ref name="R1"/>

==={{anchor|cutting}} Cutting plotters===
{{Main| Vinyl cutter}}
[[File:Illustration flex-foil cutting-plotter english.svg|thumb|Illustration of the layers of flex and flock foils (used in textile printing): carrier foil, colour coat & covering layer (including hot melt)]]
Cutting plotters use knives to cut into a piece of material (such as [[paper]], [[mylar]] film, or [[polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] film) that is lying on the flat surface area of the plotter.  The cutting plotter is connected to a computer, which is equipped with cutting design or drawing computer [[software]] programs.  Those computer software programs are responsible for sending the necessary cutting dimensions or designs in order to command the cutting knife to produce the correct project cutting needs.<ref name="R2"/><ref>{{cite news |title=DTF Drucker |url=https://www.dtflinko.com/de/dtf-transferdruck-revolution-im-t-shirt-druck/ |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref>

In recent years the use of cutting plotters (generally called [[die cutting (web)|die-cut machines]]) has become popular with home enthusiasts of [[paper craft]]s such as [[cardmaking]] and [[scrapbooking]].  Such tools allow desired card and [[decal]] shapes to be cut out very precisely, and repeatably.

====Vinyl cutter====
[[File:drag-knife cutting-plotter english.ogv|thumbtime=20|thumb|Drag-knife cutting plotter in action]]
A vinyl cutter (sometimes known as a '''cutting plotter''') is used to create posters, billboards, signs, T-shirt logos, and other weather-resistant graphical designs. The vinyl can also be applied to car bodies and windows for large, bright company advertising and to sailboat [[Transom (nautical)|transoms]]. A similar process is used to cut tinted vinyl for automotive windows.

Colors are limited by the collection of vinyl on hand. To prevent creasing of the material, it is stored in rolls. Typical vinyl roll sizes are 15-inch, 24-inch, 36-inch and 48-inch widths, and have a backing material for maintaining the relative placement of all design elements.

Vinyl cutter hardware is similar to a traditional plotter except that the ink pen is replaced by a very sharp knife to outline each shape, and may have a pressure control to adjust how hard the knife presses down into the vinyl film, preventing the cuts from also penetrating the backing material. Besides losing relative placement of separate design elements, loose pieces cut out of the backing material may fall out and jam the plotter roll feed or the cutter head. After cutting, the vinyl material outside of the design is peeled away, leaving the design on the backing material which can be applied using self-adhesion, glue, lamination, or a [[heat press]].

The vinyl knife is usually shaped like a plotter pen and is also mounted on a swivel head so that the knife edge self-rotates to face the correct direction as the plotter head moves.

Vinyl cutters are primarily used to produce single-color [[line art]] and lettering. Multiple color designs require cutting separate sheets of vinyl, then overlaying them during application; but this process quickly becomes cumbersome for more than a couple of hues.

Sign cutting plotters are in decline in applications such as general billboard design, where [[wide-format printer|wide-format]] inkjet printers that use solvent-based inks are employed to print directly onto a variety of materials. Cutting plotters are still relied upon for precision contour-cutting of graphics produced by wide-format inkjet printers – for example to produce window or car graphics, or shaped stickers.

Large-format inkjet printers are increasingly used to print onto heat-shrink plastic sheeting, which is then applied to cover a vehicle surface and shrunk to fit using a heat gun, known as a [[vehicle wrap]].

====Static cutting table====
A static cutting table is a type of cutting plotter used a large flat [[vacuum table]]. It is used for cutting non-rigid and porous material such as textiles, foam, or leather, that may be too difficult or impossible to cut with roll-fed plotters. Static cutters can also cut much thicker and heavier materials than a typical roll-fed or sheet-fed plotter is capable of handling.

The surface of the table has a series of small pinholes drilled in it. Material is placed on the table, and a coversheet of plastic or paper is overlaid onto the material to be cut. A vacuum pump is turned on, and air pressure pushes down on the coversheet to hold the material in place. The table then operates like a normal vector plotter, using various cutting tools to cut holes or slits into the fabric. The coversheet is also cut, which may lead to a slight loss of vacuum around the edges of the coversheet, but this loss is not significant.