The Xeroxtype of plotters break down quite often. And require special paper that is even harder to locate. H-P tried the same, and I do not see their plotters on the market. The modern Calcomp Inkjet machines were made by Cannon. (Which is why the software interchanges so well).

On the Thermal one you have, leave the top door open once done, taking the pressure off the upper wire. The upper door is spring loaded and will stay open just a bit. I set a chunk of carpet across the top to keep dust out. Release the roller bail once done too. These plotters will go a full year of daily use without looking at.

Whatever, do not run one of the Piezo inkjet models that Calcomp tried to market a few decades ago, for there are zero parts. I think they made 17 in total as per old Tech. I talked to. Got involved with some patent controversy and did not have enough $$ to defend themselves. Which in turn made Lockheed stop their funding. Boeing tried to pick up the funding but after hearing of the on going lawsuit did not.

The thermal will give amazingly smooth transitions in the half tone modes. The Inkjets have a hard departure line you will see. Once you get into the control panel, and set the lines and percents, the whole quality of the end product increases. It just then looks nicer. Beside the ease of punching a button, walking off to answer the telephone or get some coffee, then coming back and finding a very nice looking finished paper product.

I looked and could not locate the vendor for paper in Phoenix. I mailed off a cheque for about $90 of paper plus shipping on a few boxes. I could not locate the name in the cheque registry either. Original cost was about $60 per box in shipping alone. GTO/Calcomp is there now, and I wonder if it was not some associated business of theirs. They are mainly into the digitizer market though.



Wm.