This section provides an overview for plotters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 plotter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked plotter companies as of May, 2024: 1.Rishabh Techno Solutions, 2.Skycut, 3.Graphtec Corporation.
Table of Contents
A plotter is an output device used for printing that requires a high-precision output and drawing (printing), such as architectural drawings. It is generally distinguished from a printer by the precision of its output.
Printers excel at outputting raster data (data consisting of a grid of single pixel dots arranged vertically and horizontally), whereas plotters are suitable for outputting vector data (a format that stores and reproduces numerical data such as the positions of multiple points and the lines, curves, and colors that connect them).
A plotter is therefore used for printing drawings and large-size posters that need to be drawn to precise dimensions.
Plotters are used for printing large-size line drawings and graphics and cutting plotters that perform both printing and cutting.
Plotters are used to print drawings for the building and construction industry and for mechanical and electrical products, posters for the design industry, and large-format maps. They are used in many industries and locations, including construction sites, architecture, design, and design offices, university teaching sites, and public facilities.
Cutting plotters are used to cut thin materials such as cutting sheets, drawing paper, and cloth, and can cut materials according to the shape of the design loaded with data.
The types and features of plotters are as follows:
There are three main types of plotters: pen plotters, raster plotters, and cutting plotters.
Pen plotters are plotters that draw by moving a pen left, right, up, and down with the input data. The pen used for drawing can be a ballpoint pen, ink pen, or mechanical pencil.
Raster plotters output and print the input data as dots, and their basic mechanism is the same as that of a printer. Inkjet, laser, electrostatic, and thermal output methods are available.
Cutting plotters are plotters that print and cut paper or film.
Recently, the boundary between plotters and printers has become blurred as printers have improved their line drawing and printing accuracy, and have also become capable of printing large-format prints. In particular, inkjet large format printers for CAD are increasingly used for printing drawings because of their high accuracy and clarity of line art and high output speed.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Videojet Technologies, Inc., based in Wood Dale, Illinois, and founded in the 1960s as a division of the A.B. Dick Company is a manufacturer of product identification equipment designed for coding and marking. Its diverse range of solutions encompasses large and small character inkjet printers, laser coding systems, thermal transfer printers, and labeling equipment. These systems are utilized for the application of variable data, including by dates, production dates, lot numbers, and traceability information, as well as linear and 2D barcodes, onto an extensive array of product packaging, industrial components, shipping cases, and pallets.
Mimaki USA, a subsidiary of Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd, founded in 1975 and opened its headquarters in Suwanee, Georgia in 1999, is a supplier and manufacturer of digital printing and cutting equipment, ink, and software. Their products include wide-format printers, cutting plotters, 3D printers, textile printers, and more. They serve a range of industries such as sign and graphics, textile and apparel, industrial printing, and 3D markets. Seven regional offices and technology centers are operated across the U.S. and Canada.
Graphtec Corporation, established in 1949 and headquartered in Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of computer input and output devices. The company offers a range of products, including imaging products such as grit and flatbed cutters, scanners, and instrument products like loggers and recorders. These items are utilized in various applications such as sign-making, printing, scanning, and digitization technology. Its imaging and instrument products often necessitate compatible media and some include application software and/or a software driver, which are necessary to ensure optimal functionality and compatibility with the hardware, allowing users to effectively utilize the capabilities of the devices.
Ranking as of May 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Rishabh Techno Solutions |
27.9%
|
2 | Skycut |
22.1%
|
3 | Graphtec Corporation |
16.3%
|
4 | Mimaki USA, Inc. |
12.8%
|
5 | Videojet Technologies, Inc. |
7.0%
|
6 | Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems |
7.0%
|
7 | SAGA Computer Numerical Control Co., Ltd |
7.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the plotter page as of May 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 2 | 33.3% |
Japan | 1 | 16.7% |
Belgium | 1 | 16.7% |
India | 1 | 16.7% |
China | 1 | 16.7% |