Roland "DXG-1100" pen plotter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rolandpenplotter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 04:07:58 am
content: HelloWell, since my username is rather obscure, I thought I'd better get on and show you all what it means, and what I got from "Freecycle" here in England. The gentleman who donated it is an ex-engineer (not sure what kind) I think... and he even asked his wife TO DELIVER it to me; how's that for kind!Does anyone have any UK sources for Roland/HP plotter pens, or know the best kind of readily available "human held" pens (IE: Normal pens) that I can modify to fit it, and which have a strong nib and a good ink flow?I *love* *love* *love* this thing! It's the best Freecycle find in AGES, and provides me HOURS of entertainment. I want to, eventually, use it for my schematics. Sadly, it only supports up to Windows XP... ah well - no problem

author: rexxar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:10:59 am
content: Why is it drawing elements of that schematic in seemingly random order? Seems somewhat inefficient.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:19:25 am
content: I have absolutely no use for this whatsoever and yetI want one.Quote from: rexxar on January 12, 2014, 05:10:59 amIt's probably drawing them in the order in which the software listed them, which is probably related to the order in which they were placed.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:21:40 am
content: That circuit diagram looks nice. I wouldn't mind a plotter like that.Can it draw directly onto PCBs?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:22:26 am
content: Quote from: steve30 on January 12, 2014, 05:21:40 amNowI want one.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:23:02 am
content: This floppy drive / AVR based plotter somewhat does that as well.

author: rolandpenplotter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 05:38:38 am
content: So glad you like itI may sell it at some point; not sure yet.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 01:31:41 pm
content: Quote from: rolandpenplotter on January 12, 2014, 04:07:58 amMy DXY-1100 is currently loaded with a set of 8 pens that I grabbed on eBay, where they were sold as a package under the 'American Greetings CreataCard' brand. Last time I checked (admittedly a while ago) the sets still popped up occasionally; they work well enough, but being nylon-tipped they're quite broad and broaden out after prolonged use!I've been on the lookout for some steel-tipped pens, but they're few and far between these days; the best bet seems to be US graphics supply specialists, but since they list prices to match their rarity I haven't yet taken the plunge and ordered any. I'll take a look through my bookmarks later and see if I have any promising leads saved away.QuoteI wouldn't worry about that, as it's just an HP-GL plotter as far as most software is concerned; your CAD package may well be able to drive it directly, instead of through the Windows drivers. For instance, I use EAGLE on Vista/7/OS X, and its CAM Processor can emit HP-GL which can just be sent to the plotter (either by outputting to LPT1: or sending the file to a network queue). I struggled to get gEDA to emit usable HP-GL though, so it does depend on the package.That said, I'm pretty sure I have it set up on my Vista laptop as a printer with the proper Roland drivers, so I'll try and check that out for you later too if it might be useful...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 02:11:06 pm
content: Quote from: rexxar on January 12, 2014, 05:10:59 amI've never seen a plotter that doesn't shoot off all over the place in a seemingly random fashion.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 03:32:16 pm
content: I knew someone who designed hydraulic access equipment that used one ( mid 90's) I asked him when I saw it working why it went all over the place, he said it was so as not to smudge the ink as moving from one side of the page to the other gave it enough time to dry, not sure if this was the real reason or he gave that answer as he did not know.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 04:07:08 pm
content: Really depends on the driver, as it will follow a set of HPGL pen moves in order. Could be the generator simply moving through the print file and getting the characters out of a font table or line list in sequence, or some algorithm that does it as the code spaghetti came from the output file.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2014, 04:09:35 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on January 12, 2014, 03:32:16 pmPen plotters do whatever the stream of HPGL instructions tell them to.I gave away an A1 flat bed pen potter years ago. Apart from the possibility of using special inks like plotting resist directly on PCB material inkjets made them obsolete years ago.

author: rexxar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2014, 02:32:19 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on January 12, 2014, 05:19:25 amI had the opportunity to grab one my school was throwing out years ago, and I've regretted not taking it home ever since.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 07:54:50 am
content: Anybody in EEVbog land using a plotter for PCB etch resist artwork?Any homebrew solutions?What pens that can be acquired these days are used?Any problems interfacing with DXP?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 09:17:38 am
content: Me too, the Sharpie Industrial versions seems to have the "right" ink.Just scouring the forums collective wisdom as to going down the plotter path.Been using toner transfer for years (though not a large number) and lately with quite reasonable results (SOT23/6 with tracks to middle pins from each side).But always thinking how it might be easier though. The etching is the easy and fast bit.

author: poida_pie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 09:42:13 am
content: try thishttp://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-17848P-Paper-Plots-Fiber-Tip-Plotter-Pens-7mm-New-Sealed-/111280577549orhttp://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-plotters---plotter-supplies-plotter-pens-fiber-tip-plotter-pens.htmlI have both the Roland DXG-1100 and an HP 7475A plotter.info on the HP7475A herehttp://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=74I can watch them work for hours at a time. I use them for real work from time to time.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 09:49:32 am
content: Interesting. I have the SAME plotter.I took the empty dried out pens that came with it, cut of their nose so they were hollow and I could use them as holders for 'standard' felt pens. Worked quite well.I used it once or twice to draw PCB layout in etch-resist ink on a PCB, but to be honest, I have not used it for a while, usually I use stripboard (like that better then single islands) and it is in storage as I had to 'cleanup' up my house to put it for sale. Once I get it back out, we should exchange programs and ideas to use it.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 10:23:54 am
content: Thanks for the replies and links.Not wanting to hijack "rolandpenplotter's" thread but are you or anyone using plotters for PCB artwork?Can a moving paper plotter be used for PCB work? Can PCB be fixed to a medium that the plotter can manage or should we only consider x-y machines?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 10:33:38 am
content: Feel free to hijack ( the OP is no longer a member) although you might be better off creating a new thread so you can make the subject more descriptive of what you are looking for.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 10:40:14 am
content: No longer a member? He got kicked out or something?Or maybe he just switched handle? rolandpenplotter is a bit 'specific' as user handle.Quote from: tautech on February 21, 2014, 10:23:54 amI did use it for PCB artwork. With some success, it was why I bought the thing (2nd hand, for peanuts).I have also been thinking of converting an inkjet printer for this. Especially one of the ones that can print on CD's and have a 'slot' for the CD must be convertible. After all, a CD is about the thickness and stiffness of PCB. But I did not do anything with that idea though, already have the plotter now.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 10:41:16 am
content: Thanks GeoffS.We will see who's "listening" first and then probably do that.Any suggestion as to the best board to post on for this hijack?

author: anachrocomputer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 02:09:01 pm
content: To go back to the original question, about Roland plotters and pens, I have modified old dried-up HP plotter pens for use in my Roland DXY-990. I also got the plotter from FreeCycle, in Bristol. My photos of drilling and modifying pens are here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/anachrocomputer/sets/72157624783555539/I use rollerball pens for fine lines (Pilot V-Ball) and felt pens for wider lines (Staedtler Triplus). I get them from Cult Pens:http://www.cultpens.com/I've taken the DXY-990 to a few UK Maker Faires (Bristol, Derby, Brighton, Newcastle), where it was a popular exhibit. At Bristol Hackspace, we also have a much bigger Roland DPX-3300. The DPX-3300 is A1 size, whereas the DXY-990 is A3. As for manuals, Roland UK have been very helpful and e-mailed me PDF copies once I'd sent them the serial number of the plotters. Not bad for a 25-year-old product! Photos of the big plotter are here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/anachrocomputer/sets/72157633082493407

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 05:11:09 pm
content: Many years ago I used a Roland A3 plotter do to 2x PCB artwork, in the days when PCB manufacturers would accept film artwork.I was using PCB software I'd written, and this used a few tricks to optimise the speed. Basically it boiled down to "When the pen goes up, go to the nearest point which you've not drawn yet". And of course draw everything with one pen before changing to another.It ought to be feasible to to a generic HPGL optimiser to do this - all you need is enough memory to hold enough commands to have a good chance of finding nearby items to do next. Just fill the buffer, throw stuff out as it's drawn and keep it full to give the mest search space for nearby objects.You probably could do some super-clever travelling-Salesman type optimisation, but the difference between no optimisiation and a simple scheme is so big that any addiitonal cleverness will be diminishing returns.

author: JoeyP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2014, 05:40:00 pm
content: A few decades ago, I used a Roland DXY-990 to plot artwork directly onto PCBs with great success. Even did a small production run of a commercial product that way. Here's a few things I learned:Sharpies of that era worked well for etchant resist, but it seems they've changed their formula since then. Not sure if newer ones will work as well, because the newer ink seems much less durable. It's now easily washed off with simple alcohol, but it took something stronger back in those days.I found that certain brands, and interestingly, certain colors of stock plotter pens worked better than Sharpies. The best were Staedtler fiber-tip. The red ink was the most durable resist, but left a broader stroke. The black ink did a finer stroke, but I had to be very careful during the etching process because it was much less durable.I found that it's best to "rough up" the bare copper. I used fine steel-wool for that, but of course it left oil behind, so had to clean the copper thoroughly with acetone or alcohol before plotting.In case you didn't notice it, the height of the plotter pens is adjustable. Loosen the screws of the holder and adjust up to give more clearance for PCB.

author: flolic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2014, 09:16:04 am
content: I have this beast collecting dust. Maybe I will try to direct print some PCBs...Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

author: sbrito
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 01:24:16 pm
content: hello, can someone help me in finding the drivers for my HP7475A (actually is a SEKONIC SPL450)?Thank You

author: dm9876
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 09, 2015, 01:09:50 am
content: Hi all, only reviving this old thread in case some people were following it.Anyway, I have an old Roland DXY-1200 A3 size flat bed pen plotter which I need to get rid of. (downsizing the house).1200 is the same as this 1100 (there was also a 1300 I think) they only differ by the amount of buffer memory, which was important back when driving these things from a single tasking dos computer and you wanted to download the plot and then use the computer to keep working on something else.I had planned to do the same thing mentioned here about plotting onto copper clad board with a marker pen as an etch resist. I never got around to it.It could also make a good xy bed for a quick conversion to low power laser engraver.Happy to let it go for a nominal amount (~$20 Australian) if someone is prepared to pick it up. (I'm at Berowra Heights in the north of Sydney)Dean

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2015, 01:19:59 am
content: Welcome to the forum.About your location......I'd grab in an instant if I was near you. Bugger

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2015, 08:53:46 am
content: I have a DXY-1100 if anyone in the UK is interested - collection only (Loughton, Essex)

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2015, 11:56:46 am
content: That is incredibly cool!Never mind new pens, stick a Dremmel in there and engrave your own boards!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2015, 12:05:36 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on June 09, 2015, 11:56:46 amNot a hope - nowhere near enough rigidity

author: 12much
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 10, 2021, 02:26:10 pm
content: This is a rather old post, but I hope there is someone who still uses one of these. I lost my AC/DC adapter and unfortunately it has a dual DC outlet: 9Volt + 28 Volt.It is a 3 Pin PLug, so I assume it has a common negative. Who can tell me which are the other ones?Tnxx in advance,Boy Bakhuys the netherlands.PS I don't use it as a pen plotter, but as a vinyl/ stickercutter btw.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2021, 05:35:05 pm
content: Quote from: 12much on November 10, 2021, 02:26:10 pmWell that’s uncanny, as I happen to have the exact (genuine) Roland PSU for this very model. I’m sure I can ship it if you’d like it?

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2021, 05:20:28 pm
content: One of these?Looking onto the face of the plug, flat side down:top-center: common groundbottom left: 39.5Vbottom riht: 13.5VVoltages measured unburdenededit:I thought them a little high ( for the specs on the sticker) so I hooked them up to a load. They stick exactly to their voltages, all the way up to 1.1Amp.And on a scope, no wave or noise, nicely flatlining at all timebases.I was expecting a badly flattened half-have, and maybe my load was showing peak rather then rms.But none of that, there must be a proper lineair regulator in there, but then, why so much over spec? Would the regulator go off this much with age?Anyway, you asked for the pinout, they are above.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 02:12:15 am
content: Quote from: cybermaus on November 12, 2021, 05:20:28 pmMust be the same one.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 01:20:48 pm
content: So is yours also this much out of spec?I mean, listing it as 9.7V (not merely 9V but no, 9 point 7 volt) and then outputting 13.5, and even a very stable 13.5 to a way overspec current, is a little odd.I have not used the plotter in like 10 years, but now I am hesitant to plug it in.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 08:01:43 pm
content: Quote from: cybermaus on November 16, 2021, 01:20:48 pmI've to test it, as yet. I shall do so when I have time, and when I can find it- it's not too hard to find I am sure.

author: 12much
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 03:46:09 pm
content: Hi Eti,Yes please. Can you give me a quote of what you ask for it? Maybe a PM?Tnxx.

author: 12much
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 03:59:43 pm
content: Hi Cybermause,many tnxx, I'm happy with the info. I'll make a construction with two buck converters to obtain the desired voltages to see if she'll wake up. Eti is offering his powersupply, but in the meantime it will be fun to play with her:-)Even if he measures the same high output, it will be a much better solution than what I can produce what will include modifications to her body with a XLR chassisplug or something like that to make it work.To be continued