Looking for information and recommendations for CAD plotter/printers

I do agree that inkjet plotters are quite good. I had an experience as operator, repairman, ink re-filler with Encad Novajet, Mutoh, HP. Encad is the best, though it's pricey.

HP,OCE,Cannon maybe Epson (IMHO) are pretty the same for budget oriented plotter. Would you mind take a look at China originated production?

Yes you needn't all that "b & w". However whatever you choose try get a device with fastest printing speed, maximum span for cartridge refilling/replacing, automatic paper cutting blade, basket for printed out media. If you're intending to print complex bitmap patterns it would be preferable that vendor supplied the RIP driver software.

Do your homework (like your doing right now) we purchased a large scanner/copier printer combo for $25,000.00and it's a piece of junk. I recommend a high end plotter instead of a printer.

Two of our primary requirements were to print 2D drawings at 10x and 20x on Mylar with no distortion or error so we could measure cross sections of castings with them............no go ...too much error.

The other was to print PDF copies of our customers prints that were emailed to us. It wont print a PDF without an expensive add on module that we somehow discover long after the purchase. It's broke most of the time and wont even print copies of existing hard copy prints so we only use it to scan existing prints into the server.

What brand/model was that?

Xerox ..............I think it's a 6030........ with Axces controller. In their defence it was purchased used........but they knew our needs which it did not meet.

We have been using the HP LaserJet 5100, the predecessor to the current LaserJet 5200 and have found it to be a rock solid solution for the money. Doesn't do color, but if your needs for color printing are limited, buy an inkjet to use when you need the color, but use the Laser as the workhorse. Here is a link to the HP Laserjet 5200.

Good Luck

Robert

Hmmm.... I went to the site using your link. Review average was only moderately good, 3 out of 5 stars. One review said print quality was bad, 1 out of 5 stars.

May be reliable, but I need something with good print quality, especially size accuracy for full scale part inspection templates!

I've been using printers and plotters in design engineering environments since 1982.

My experience has been that, regardless of type or technology, Hewlett-Packard has the most durable and reliable machines to be found.

Our HP4Plus Laser jet printer is 20 years old and except for replacement of the rubber feed rollers, it has never needed repair.

Our HP DesignJet 450C is a network workhorse and has been producing C and D sized plots at the rate of 40 a day for the last 5 years and has yet to require any tech support.

In a business environment where commitments have been made, a reliable machine is a must and are well worth the little extra money to own them.

Over the years I've learned about the economics of quality: in the long run, a quality product costs less to own than a cheap, inferior one. Especially when you factor in the cost of your time.

L.J.

I have an Epson 7500, 24" wide roll paper. I would try to stay away from HP mainly because the inks that they use run when the paper gets damp or wet. The Epson that I have doesn't.

Huh! Interesting comment. Most on-line reviews say, "HP-GOOD. Epson-BAD" for plotter/printers.

We were using an HP designjet 130nr, and if you're considering a printer such as this, RUN AWAY SCREAMING. It is the biggest piece of junk we've ever purchased. Even the repair guys we've called in (twice in less then a year, the printer is less then 2 years old) have aknowledged that its a terrible printer. And when your HP warrentee wears out, they'll charge you $40 just to TRANSFER your call to tech support. I will never ever buy a large format printer from HP again.

That being said, we reccently purchased an Oce CS 2224 and love it. Its faster and quieter then the HP, with more features and cost about the same amount, and included a stand. Even the picture quality is better then the HP. We do alot of ANSI D sized prints

Avery Montembeault

Interesting... Is it possible you got a lemon or do you think the printer itself is a bad design? HP designjets are the most common (and usually most reliable) printers in engineering environments in my area. We are still using a 750C and it's never been serviced. A place I was contracted into a while back was still using a 650 or 660C.

Regardless, 36" wide roll feed is the way to go. You can nest B size prints side by side, printing 2 at once. Same goes for C size rotated 90. D size is is straight out, E size and "Roll" size prints rotated 90.

If you're actually making prints for manufacturing, instead of photos proposals, etc. color is a waste.

Oh yeah, the large format laser printers rock when it comes to speed, but supplies are pricier and some of them (the ones that require a pc and special software as a print server) can be tempermental. Big bucks though, I think 10k on up.

I bought an Epson Stylus Photo 1280 ink jet printer to enable printing 11x17's of AutoCad drawings that I drew or received.

Although not what I would consider a production machine, it has served me well for my own relatively small scale consulting activity. Price tag was around $300 US.

The Epson ink is somewhat pricey, however, but supposed to be long lasting.

If your company is small like mine, and can't afford a new wide format, try Ebay. I got my Epson 7500 from a photographic studio in NYC that was upgrading to the largest wide format that Epson makes. $600 is a lot easier on the wallet than $4000 or more. The only drawback is that more than likely you will have to pick it up. Yes, the ink is pricey, but the ink cartridges are the size of vhs tape cartridges. After 2 years, I still haven't used a full black cartridge, and I don't do color very often, so the color cartridges should last a long time.

Our construction company is looking for a large format printer/plotter up to size E drawings. We'd also like it to copy, scan, collate and be able to save images to our network. Looking to spend under $50,000. Any suggestions?