Plotter: Difference between revisions

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(minor edits, adding in photo links)
(adding hp2xx)
 
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* comes with one pen holder (holding a #2 pencil, nach)
* comes with one pen holder (holding a #2 pencil, nach)
* has a DB-25 that probably wants to speak HP-GL over RS-232
* has a DB-25 that probably wants to speak HP-GL over RS-232
spit something out to it: 
dd if=/somefile of=/dev/ttyUSB0 bs=1
==Carousel setup==
==Carousel setup==
[[Image:5763566793_8c8251d19f_o.jpg#file|plotter carousel pencap retracted|200px]]
[[Image:5763566793_8c8251d19f_o.jpg#file|plotter carousel pencap retracted|200px]]
Line 13: Line 18:




==We need:==
==Documentation==  
* service manuals
* pen holders
* paper
* software that emits HPGL
* a paper holder (probably a wire cage) to catch the print as it finishes
 
Documentation:
* [http://www.hpmuseum.net/exhibit.php?hwdoc=81 Manuals and User Guides] and [http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=81 product info], from HP museum.
* [http://www.hpmuseum.net/exhibit.php?hwdoc=81 Manuals and User Guides] and [http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=81 product info], from HP museum.


Line 26: Line 24:
* [http://www.inkscape.org/ Inkscape], a vector drawing program, can export HPGL.
* [http://www.inkscape.org/ Inkscape], a vector drawing program, can export HPGL.
* [http://sk1project.org/modules.php?name=Products&product=uniconvertor Uniconvertor] may be able to output HPGL.
* [http://sk1project.org/modules.php?name=Products&product=uniconvertor Uniconvertor] may be able to output HPGL.
* [http://www.gnu.org/software/hp2xx/ hp2xx], a hpgl to jpg converter for sanity checking.


Pens:
* [http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-plotters---plotter-supplies-plotter-pens-rapidoplot-disposable-6820-series-e-style-plotter-p.html draftingsteals.com]
* [http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-plotters---plotter-supplies-plotter-pens-rapidoplot-disposable-6820-series-e-style-plotter-p.html draftingsteals.com]
* [http://www.westnc.com/hp-plotter-pens.html wncsupply.com]
* [http://www.westnc.com/hp-plotter-pens.html wncsupply.com]
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CI25;
CI25;
</PRE>
</PRE>
=Use It=
=Use It=
Settings:
Settings:

Latest revision as of 22:04, 6 May 2012

On December 20, 2009, someone (who?) donated a beautiful HP DraftMaster I pen plotter (HP P/N 7595A).

There's a Flickr set of somebody else's DraftMaster for reference.

Our plotter:

  • appears to be in good physical condition
  • comes with a pen carousel
  • comes with one pen holder (holding a #2 pencil, nach)
  • has a DB-25 that probably wants to speak HP-GL over RS-232

spit something out to it: dd if=/somefile of=/dev/ttyUSB0 bs=1


Carousel setup[edit]

plotter carousel pencap retracted plotter carousel pencapped


Documentation[edit]

HPGL Software:

  • Inkscape, a vector drawing program, can export HPGL.
  • Uniconvertor may be able to output HPGL.
  • hp2xx, a hpgl to jpg converter for sanity checking.

Wikipedia: Plotter, HPGL


Program that seems to work:

IN;
SC0,40,0,40;
SP7;
PU0,0;
PD100,0,100,100,0,100,0,0;
PU50,50;
CI25;

Use It[edit]

Settings:

  • Your program needs to use DOS line endings (\r\n)
  • Serial is 9600 8N1 on the PC side, plugged into the COMPUTER/MODEM port via a null modem cable
  • SERIAL:
    • DATAFLOW: REMOTE, STANDALONE
    • PARITY: 1
    • BAUD: 9600
    • HARDWIRE: OFF

Using Inkscape:

  • Load (or create) your vector graphic in Inkscape
  • Prepare the image for printing:
  • Scale the image (Inkscape mm units appear to work correctly)
  • Flip the image horizontally (for some reason, the plotter is printing it backwards)
  • Select 'save as', then 'HP Graphics Language'.
  • Open this file in a text editor, and copy the text
  • Paste the file into your terminal program, configured as above (CoolTerm in OS/X or Minicom in Linux)
  • Enjoy your plot!

Example:

[Plotted Noisebridge Logo] HPGL for NoiseBridge Logo