Had there been a drupa show last year, Ricoh would have previewed its Z75 B2 sheet size production press. There was a teaser late last year with little information but it appears the release is drawing near with a few more details released. Ricoh will be joining Konica Minolta and Fujifilm in the B2 inkjet sheet field - with HP Indigo already successfully there, but with liquid toner 'ElectroInk'. The big question is:"Will Heidelberg add B2 Ricoh OEM inkjet to its existing B3 models?"
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| Click on the above image to see a short video preview of the Ricoh Pro Z75 B2 inkjet sheetfed press |
Ricoh's Gen5 printheads are widely used in wide format printers from several manufacturers, and are well regarded. The soon-to-be launched Z75 uses these 1200 x 1200dpi printheads, made from stainless steel and highly durable.
Ricoh has added a cooling system to the ink carriage array, which they say helps colour consistency and stability.
Billed as: “the future of sheetfed digital inkjet,” May is estimated as the true launch date, claiming: “offset quality with inkjet flexibility.” Beyond that, specifications, speed and ink options are sketchy.
However, the 'Z75' designation is intriguing as it tends to indicate a 75cm sheet width or length - depending on the feed orientation.
If it is indeed a true 750mm x 530mm 'C' format sheet size like the offset Heidelberg SM 75, it could be very interesting. Add extra colours and a varnish and even more so. Speaking of Heidelberg, they already OEM Ricoh toner digital in the SRA3/B3 sector, as Linoprint - will they upscale to the Z75?
This type of inkjet press encroaches into wide format territory, but with the right finishing, can open up profitable new markets for Sign & Display printers, aready very familiar with inkjet.
For the time being, we'll have to be satisfied with the teaser video, a shadowy press and a cute little dragon that would do St George Bank proud. Roll on May.
