topic Re: plotter recommendations in AutoCAD Forum

plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:24:43 GMT

Hello,

my company is about to purchase new plotter to print CAD drawings and since I am responsible to offer some plotter I am writing to ask if some of you could share your knowledge and insights how to select the most appropriate plotter or it would be even much better if you could recommend some particular ones.

If that helps, I would like to mention, that we work with infrastructure projects ( highways and railways) which means, that our drawings are quite big sometimes.

Re: plotter recommendations

markcalloway — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:37:50 GMT

Hi @Yonas89

What size sheets do you plan on printing?

You can use a normal office printer for plotting A4 but if you need A0 or A1 its going to narrow types of plotters.

Re: plotter recommendations

markcalloway — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:40:16 GMT

Hi @Yonas89

Please also see this:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-lt/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2017/ENU/AutoCAD-LT/files/GUID-93B83C2D-55A9-468C-8E66-0F99D7B31E12-htm.html

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 11:48:38 GMT

The size differs, but I think the limit might be A1. But I think it should mention that roll paper is needed, as we're plotting various length plans.

Re: plotter recommendations

rkmcswain — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:08:06 GMT

You forgot one important item: what is your budget for this hardware?

Re: plotter recommendations

pendean — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:21:46 GMT

How much volume of printing per month?
What is your budget?
What do you use now for a plotter?
How many users will be plotting to this device?
Do you want to purchase, or lease? Or have you not even explored the option?
What region of the world are you in?
Are you in a major metropolitan area, or a rural/outlying area setting?

Did you look into contracting with a printing company for your printing needs as an alternate? Sometimes an in-house plotter makes no financial/support/supplies pricing sense.

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:25:27 GMT

Hey @rkmcswain I do not have budget for this now, because we do not know much about plotters. Thus I want advices from you about plotters, such as which plotters are most compatible with AutoCAD and vertical based products, which are time checked as "good plotters for drawings", which technical specifications is most important when choosing a plotter for such a job.

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:39:31 GMT

Hello, @pendean,

thanks for your reply and questions. I'll try to answer those:

How much volume of printing per month? - Though I cannot give you an exact number, but there are about 20 designers in our office working with a different projects constantly.

What is your budget? - I really cannot answer this, because I do not know.

What do you use now for a plotter? - Currently we use CANON IPF 500 plotter and it does not fulfill our needs.

How many users will be plotting to this device? - Up to 20 users.

Do you want to purchase, or lease? Or have you not even explored the option? - I haven't explored such an option, but I believe company is looking to purchase it.

What region of the world are you in? - Baltics

Are you in a major metropolitan area, or a rural/outlying area setting? - Major metropolitan area

Re: plotter recommendations

rkmcswain — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:42:53 GMT

Compatibility with unique applications is a non-issue these days. As long as the vendor supplies a Windows Print Driver - you're set.

Take a look at this beast, the Oce TDS860

It will print 43ft/min and is capable of running continuously (of course you'll need to add paper occasionally). It holds six, 500' rolls of up to 36" wide paper and other media types.

It will run you ±US$250,000 over a 5-yr lease, including maintenance and toner, but not media.

Good luck.

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:52:14 GMT

@rkmcswain ok now I understand your question about budget.

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:26:51 GMT

Perhaps budget could be up to 15 000 €

Re: plotter recommendations

pendean — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:33:08 GMT

As recommended by another post, explore the Oce TDS860 plotter.

Re: plotter recommendations

Yonas89 — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 08:23:09 GMT

Thanks a lot fellows. I will look at these options.

Re: plotter recommendations

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 10:26:58 GMT

Hi @Yonas89 ,

Have a look at this website, they supply Plotters, they are really friendly. They are from Spain, but have got technicians here in England.

www.iplotting.com

Wide range of products.

Kind Regards