Types of cutting plotters in modern printing

Plotters are a wide range of equipment that play a key role in modern printing. In this article, we will look at the different types of cutting plotters available on the market, their characteristics and the technologies they use. Understanding what each type of plotter serves and how they are built will help you decide on the right device for your specific needs.

What is the cutting plotter used for and how does it work?

Cutting plotters are devices designed to incise and cut any shape in soft materials such as film, paper, fabric, sponges or foamed materials like PVC. Modern plotters are equipped with advanced control systems that allow precise application of patterns and shapes on a variety of materials.

Types of cutting plotters

1. table-top cutting plotters

Tabletop cutting plotters are advanced CNC machines that operate in X/Y axes. Main features:

• Cutting head moving in two axes above the work table
• Material sucked by air on the table
• Equipped with a variety of tools:
• Active knives (full thickness cutting, notching, "v-cut" angle cutting)
• Oscillating knives (driven by an electric motor or pneumatic cylinder)
• Creasing, perforating and rotary cutting discs
• Milling machines
• Punchers
• CCD camera on head for precise reading of cutting marks
• Available in various sizes, from 1.5×1.6m to 3.2×5.5m

These flatbed plotters are ideal for processing flat materials with a large surface area and allow cutting even the most complex shapes in soft materials. Examples of such devices can be found in the offer Akonda cutting plotters.

2. tabletop cutting plotters with sheet feeders

This type of plotter is the evolution of flatbed tables. Features:

• Factory integrated sheet feeder
• Available in sizes: 60×40, 73×55, 100×70, 120x90cm
• Equipped with various tools:
• Drag knives for cutting and notching
• Oscillating knife
• Active knife
• Creasing wheel (interchangeable with perforating wheel and v-cut knife)
• Possibility to connect a material feeder from a roll
• CCD camera for precise positioning

In addition, these plotters often have a cutter for automatically cutting sheets from the roll, which increases their versatility An example of such a device is iEcho PK and PK4 series, offering high precision and efficiency in sheet processing.

3. roller cutting plotters with sheet feeders

Roller plotters are characterized by:

• Head moving in left-right axis
• Precise forward-reverse paper movement
• Equipped with cutting knives, notching knives and creasing tool
• CCD camera reading the position of the sheet and QR code

These devices are especially useful in a digital printer offering products like labels and stickers from a sheet, or low-volume packaging. 

Akonda offers high quality Saga roller plotters, which are the perfect solution for digital sheetfed printing.

4. cutting plotters that rewind material from reel to reel

Features:

• Precise control of the position of the material web
• Cold lamination capability
• Cutting using a knife head or laser
• Winding of material and waste on separate rolls
• Selectable laser head power

These plotters are ideal for producing labels and stickers in large quantities.

E.g.. iEcho RK2

5. roll cutting plotters for roll materials

Characteristics:

• Active or trailing knife cutting of the unwound roll
• Cutting heads moving in left-right axis
• Rollers moving the fabric front to back

These plotters are often used in the advertising industry to cut self-adhesive films and other soft and flexible materials.

6. desktop home cutting plotters

Features:

• Compact size suitable for home use
• Limited toolkit
• Using the same methods of operation as professional plotters, but on a smaller scale
• Construction materials adapted to less intensive use
• Popular brands include. Brother or Silhouette

These small plotters are ideal for hobbyists and small handicraft businesses.

7. cutting laser plotters

Specifics of laser plotters:

• Using a laser beam for cutting
• Ability to cut very small parts
• Relatively low cutting speed
• Burning of edges during cutting
• Restrictions on cutting certain materials (e.g., PVC) due to the release of harmful substances

Cutting plotters and laser plotters differ significantly in their design and application. While cutting plotters use mechanical blades, laser plotters use a concentrated beam of light to cut and engrave.

Comparison of different types of plotters

When deciding to buy a plotter, there are several key factors to consider:

1. Type of materials: Will you be working with soft or hard materials?
2. Size of projects: Do you need a large format plotter?
3. Precision: How accurate do the cuts need to be?
4. Performance: How fast does the plotter need to work?
5. Versatility: Do you need a device with multiple tools?

Other types of plotters

It is worth mentioning that in addition to cutting plotters, there are other types of plotters available on the market, such as:

• Inkjet plotters: used for printing high-quality graphics and photos.
• Solvent plotters: ideal for outdoor printing, they use weather-resistant inks.
• UV plotters: can print a variety of materials, including hard and non-porous surfaces.
• Sublimation plotters: used for printing on fabrics.
• Engraving plotters: used to create permanent lettering and designs in hard materials.

Each of these types of plotters has its own unique features and applications in various industries and the arts.

Summary

There are many types of plotters on the market, each with different levels of sophistication and purpose. From precision cutting plotters to large format printing plotters, each type of plotter has its own unique applications and advantages.

When choosing the right plotter, it is important to carefully analyze your needs and project requirements. Whether you need to cut intricate shapes, print large-format banners or engrave precise designs, there are plotters on the market to meet your needs.

Remember that plotter technology is constantly evolving, introducing new capabilities and increasing productivity. It's worth keeping up with the latest trends and innovations in this field to always be up to date with the latest solutions available on the market.

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