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Ricoh Pro C9500

Pro C9500 boasts a CMYK dry toner print engine with 2,400dpi resolution, says Simon Eccles

for longer stocks up to 960mm. Even longer
banner lengths can be handled up to 1.2m if
the optional Plockmatic feeder is pur-
chased. These maximum lengths can be
duplex printed, then handled at the output
end by the optional Plockmatic create-
trimmer. Another finishing option is the
GBC Streampunch. New fuser technology
improves image quality across the full range
of media. The gloss level of the toner can be
adjusted to match the media, from high
gloss through to matt for uncoated litho
grades. Some of the paper transfer hard-
ware has been changed, such as a larger and
harder nip drum and larger and softer
transfer rollers. There is better front-to-
back registration that takes different cover-
What does it do? Pro C7500 announcement followed in age (and so potentially uneven distortion)
This is a new flagship dry toner digital September. Heidelberg announced its ver- into account.
press in the Ricoh Pro C9xxx series, sions in late September. The digital front-end is still Fiery based, but
replacing the C9200 first seen in 2018. It Target markets for the Pro C9500 are much on a more powerful platform. There are
is a long-SRA3 format CMYK printer Specifications the same as for previous models: commer- two options, for mid-range production and
built for high volumes and duty cycles, Colours CMYK cial printers that need a solid reliable per- VDP requirements. Workflows supported
available in either 115ppm or 135ppm former for high monthly volumes. Tim include Ricoh’s own TotalFlow, but also
configurations; for the first time from Resolution VCSEL Carter, commercial print director at Ricoh, third parties such as Prinect and Prinergy
Ricoh you can field upgrade from the 2,400x4,80dpi says that the ROI will be “more aggressive”
slower configuration to the faster. It has a than the C9200. “Ricoh is going after litho can be seamlessly integrated. A new C9500
new print engine and significant Speed 115 or 135ppm markets with this new machine and wants option is Auto Color Diagnosis, on-the-fly
improvements to quality, speed, automa- Monthly duty cycle to make it attractive to printers considering colour management that reads the charac-
tion and media range. Ricoh followed up up to 1m A4 pages migrating into digital. The more cost effec- teristics of each sheet and compares it to
with the announcement of the Pro tive it is, the quicker the migration will be.” the original ripped file. If there is a differ-
C7500, replacing the Pro C7200. This is Max media size The C7500 is likely to appeal to commercial ence it automatically adjusts it for each
slower than the C9500 at 75 or 95ppm, 330x960mm with or inplant printers with lower volume sheet. This is particularly relevant to brands
while having the same quality character- option for up to needs, or those that would like to add value that want to avoid varying appearances.
istics, but with the option of a fifth unit 1.2m length through the fifth unit’s choice of extra col- A further option involves the new Auto
for extra colours or embellishments. ours and embellishments. Current toner Color Adjuster, an ICC profile-based sys-
Heidelberg will rebadge these presses as Media weights options are white, silver, gold, fluorescents tem which can match appearance between
40-470gsm
the Versafire LP and LV, replacing its or clear gloss. different printers, even different processes
2018 EP and EV models. Note too that Footprint 2.5x1m such as digital-to-litho, or toner-to-inkjet.
Ricoh is currently counting down to the How does it work?
European introduction of its B2 format Carter says that improvements to the What’s the USP?
sheetfed inkjet press, the Pro Z75, C9500 are a mix of technical progress
towards the end of this year. together with responses to requirements It’s a combination of the improved features,
identified in user feedback on earlier automation and media handling together
When was it announced and what machines, plus ideas about where markets with support, according to Carter. “We are
markets is it aimed at? are headed. The core is a CMYK dry toner number one in the high volume sector. We
The Pro C9500 was announced at the print engine with 2,400dpi resolution. take a consultative approach with custom-
beginning of August, with a UK introduc- Image quality is improved and the media ers, we have best-in-class service and post-
tion at Ricoh’s Print Evolution Live event in handling is beefed-up for a wider range of sales support – it’s all about partnerships
Telford at the beginning of October. The stocks – 40-470gsm – as well as provision with our customers.”
“The Pro C9500 was announced at the beginning of August 2023.”

30 PrintWeek MENA June 2024 www.printweekmena.com