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Ricoh is not a newcomer to production inkjet. But as a late-comer to cut-sheet production inkjet, how do you compete with both the existing B2+ and A3 presses in the market at the same time? Apparently, they figured it out!
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About David Zwang
David Zwang travels around the globe helping companies increase their productivity, margins and market reach. He specializes in production optimization, strategic business planning, market analysis, and related services to companies in the vertical media communications market. Clients have included printers, manufacturers, retailers, publishers, premedia and US Government agencies. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Discussion
By Allen Lea on Dec 10, 2020
Ha! EVERYTHING is a “game changer”
Keep looking for it.
By Fadel Iskander on Dec 11, 2020
I am curious as to why Ricoh chose not to reveal the "Pro Z75" B2 rated speed in their first PR announcement! That is the first thing I looked for. Could it possibly be that it is not as fast as i300 or the Bartolo or KM1e?
By Peter Crean on Dec 14, 2020
Based on the KM-1 and the Ricoh 70000, I would bet that the "75" in Z75 is the sheet rate. Anxiously await more information of this press. Ricoh seems to be drawing the line between toner and inkjet between B3 and B2. Canon and Xerox see B3 as a shared space and play both inkjet and toner in that space.
Pete Crean
By Chuck Werninger on Dec 15, 2020
I'm also eager to see some real specifications for the new press. Having another competitor in this space would be good for defining it. I'd also love to see details about the Canon Voyager, where'd it go? Peter, while I'd love to see the 75 be connected to the speed, I suspect it's more likely to be related to size, as in 75cm format much like Heidelberg (remember them?) and others have done for decades. Please tell us more, Ricoh!
By Peter Crean on Dec 15, 2020
Voyager may be the "bird that never flew." It was built by another Canon group and, to me, seemed to aim at photographic printing rather than targeting offset (though KM-1 and Ricoh 70000/Screen 520HD SC do a fine job on photos too).
A note on press speeds: while most offset presses run long edge feed (LEF) some digital B2 units run short edge feed (SEF) like all the A3/B3 presses - LEF shortens the press and enables multiple peed and finishing stations. The LEF/SEF decision by Ricoh will say a lot about how they expect their 75 press will be be used.
Pete Crean