Plotter

Driver Installation

1. Get the driver: HP Website
   • Make sure you select the correct OS and from the drop-down list. The Vista Drivers should probably work for Windows 8 and 10.
   • Download the HP-GL driver
2. Run the .exe to extract it
3. Open Printers & Scanners Menu
4. Click "Add a printer or scanner"
5. When search fails click "The printer I want isn't listed"
6. Choose "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname"
7. Enter the IP Address: 192.168.9.244
   • You need to be connected to the MakeICT network
8. Choose "Have disk"
9. Browse to the folder where you extracted the driver and click "OK"
10. Choose "HP DesignJect 1050c by HP" and click "Next"
11. Give the printer a name, etc. (this part is up to you)`
12. Done. The printer should now be installed.

Printer Operation

1. Turn printer on
2. Follow on-screen instructions
3. Print stuff
4. If it warns you about a degraded printhead, ignore it

James' Ramblings

MakeICT has a Plotter, which now works, after a fair bit of effort. It is an HP Designjet 1050c Plus and it resides in the classroom. This page is a work in progress.

For now, please see James for the settings (as they are subject to change.)

You will need the drivers on Windows or Mac, these are available here on HP's site.

Note that not all programs will handle things well, If you print to it from Inkscape, which works well for both vector and raster images (and unlike most programs, handles the paper sizes correctly. Make sure to use Version 0.92 to print to the plotter, because of a bug fixed on 0.92.

As of right now, the printer will show up at 192.0.0.192, when you plug into the yellow network cable, you will need to configure the computer to accommodate that.

Printing at 300dpi works, but in a few cases, 600 (the theoretical max, in one case) led to issues with it stopping, and printing black. After a short period of operation, a squeal has been observed, which disappears after a short bit (generally after about 50mm or 2 inches), and does not appear to affect operations. (This occurred while printing on posterboard, which is somewhat heavy, near the beginning, so it might be due to that.)

Due to the cost of ink, and replacement parts, we will likely need to charge, similarly to the 3D printer consumables. An estimate for consumables suggests that $0.50 per square foot, if it has much black, or $0.25 if it's got color only.