The firm is showing, for the first time, the latest version of its Ricoh Pro L4100 series printers running its new aqueous resin latex inks.
The six-colour plus white, roll-to-roll 4100 is an OEM version of the Mimaki JVX400 LX series, but is now fitted with the Ricoh variable drop piezo printhead technology and a new latex inkset, developed exclusively by Ricoh. The cold-cure inkset cures at 60°C.
“In essence the new 4100 uses a Mimaki chassis, but with the heads and now the inks the technology ‘inside’ is all Ricoh,” said Benoit Chatelard, Ricoh vice-president, production printing group, EMEA.
The 1,200dpi 4100 is capable of 33m2/hr and is available in either 1,371mm or 1,620mm widths. Prices for the range start from around €23,000.
“We are very determined as part of our commercial print initiative to expand and that’s why it’s a good time to be at Fespa. There will be dramatic growth for sure, we start small but we already have big plans,” Chatelard added.
“We are very serious about wide-format and we will be a serious competitor in the near future.
“We will expand, over the course of this year we will introduce additional things. We will also leverage our direct sales and service channel – our infrastructure in Europe is huge.”
While initially the 4100 will be sold direct, Chatelard said the firm was looking to also establish a reseller network. He also hinted that wider machines and also flatbeds were on the horizon, as well as high-end, high-productivity machines.
While the 4100 will be the main focus for Ricoh, it is also showing the newest version of its MP CW2201SP wide format multifunction printer for CAD and AEC applications, which was ‘refreshed’ last month.
It will also be running a Pro C7100X colour cut sheet press on its stand, demonstrating various commercial and banner applications.
While this year’s show is Ricoh’s first time Fespa, it indirectly has a double presence following its acquisition of California-based direct-to-garment printer manufacturer AnaJet earlier this year, which has its own stand (5-M30).
