Ricoh India launched its new mid-production digital press C751 series consisting of three variant – Pro C651Ex, Pro C751Ex and C751 at the Ipex South Asia held in Mumbai in September 2011.  The Pro C651Ex and Pro C751Ex are scanner models, while the C751 is a print-only version.

As the demand for mid-production printing increases, so does the need for innovative, cost competitive solutions, says Avijit Mukherjee, the chief operating officer at Ricoh India. “The machine is aimed to fit the needs of digital, print-for-pay and offset segment.”

Mukherjee added: “The Pro C751 series incorporates some of the best features from the Pro C901 graphic arts series and combines it with some exciting new innovations.” All these makes the new system deliver an unprecedented level of productivity and versatility.

According to Ricoh, the Pro C751 series also establishes a new price point for this class of system, making it ideal for in-plant print centres and franchise and commercial printers.

“The new printer is ideal for those seeking a single, cost-effective system that does not compromise on productivity or quality. It’s a perfect foil for those offset printers who are making a foray into digital printing or planning to bump up their service offering,” says Mukherjee.

Since its launch, 20 Pro C751 series presses have been installed. This includes installations at Asha Reprographics in Delhi, Cheda Copy in Mumbai, Sennu Print at Chennai, and PrintXpress at Bengaluru.

The USP of the C 751
The Pro C751 series uses Ricoh’s brand-new vertical cavity surface emitting laser technology (VCSEL), which enables it to print up to 1,200x4,800 dpi to perform cost-effectively in-house.

According to Mukherjee, the VCSEL has as many as 40 laser beams emitting simultaneously, which aids job accuracy. The machine has a tight registration tolerance of +/-0.5mm, and VCSEL comes with magnification correction technology to correct paper skews and compensate for distortion – particularly important in duplex mode. He says, “It is the first cut-sheet digital printer to have a liquid cooling system to regulate heat build-up around the developer unit, reducing downtime and making longer runs more reliable.”

Other features
The other new technology that the C751 series uses is the Active Toner Density Control, which, as the name suggests, monitors the amount of toner being used for a particular output and provides the developer unit with the right amount needed.
“The machine offers real-time toner monitoring, which eliminates any hobble," explains Mukherjee. Also what is brought from the Pro C901 series is the PxP polymerised toner.

Mukherjee says, “This toner consists of ultra-fine particles (five microns) with a low melting point. It helps to give the print a smoother finish, almost like offset.”

To increase both durability and the ability to produce stable colour during continuous print runs, Ricoh has introduced the new advanced overcoat layer on the stabilisation OPC (Organic Photoconductor) drum. And with an wide-ranging collection of media handling option, which Ricoh prides itself on, the Pro C751 series can print a wide range of jobs such as direct mail, cards, menus, booklets and manuals; and on magnetic media.

Speed and control
The top speed in both mono and colour for the Pro C751 series is 75 pages-per-minute (pp/min). The machine is fitted with an LED light to indicate which tray is in use. This enables the user to refill another tray and keep it ready for the next job.
“The speed and the volume of the press makes it fit comfortably within the light production environment,” says Anjana Saha, marketing manager, production printing business group, Ricoh India.

As for ease of use, Saha says that the Pro C751 series has the same “forward thinking” control as the Pro C901 series. Saha says: “Helping the customers achieve business success has always been Ricoh’s objective.” The real-time synchronisation with the Fiery RIP, which is connected as standard, helps the press and the RIP to talk to each other. “This reduces the possibility of operator error,” she adds.

Training and support
Ricoh has also been working hard to build its expertise and technical capabilities on a national level. Ricoh operates through a wide network of 14 branches and over 280+ dealers and have a well-trained sales and after-sales service force.
“Two full days training with every purchase of any new machine is a standard with Ricoh,” says Saha. “We leave it to the customer to decide when he wants to hold the training. It can be held consecutively, or should the customer need time to get to know the machine and come back with a few queries, they can be held a number of days apart.”

The basic system includes a standard finisher, a large-capacity input tray, the Fiery RIP and the ORUs.

Customer speaks
PrintXpress, the Bengaluru-based commercial printer has attained the credit of being India’s first print firm to invest in Ricoh Pro C751ex.
Since its installation, the machine has been instrumental in contributing to the company’s production capacity.

“We believe in constantly upgrading our print quality and increasing the production capacity. With the Ricoh investment, we have accomplished both,” said Sanjay Bajaj, the proprietor of the firm.  
The system delivers an output quality of 1200x4800 dpi resolution for paper stock of up to 300 gsm and makes it ideal for direct mailers and variable data printing.

“The print run for mid-production printing is increasing and so has the need for innovative, cost competitive solutions. The Ricoh investment is targeted to handle a range of short-run and personalised products, including posters, leaflets, flyers and business cards,” added Bajaj.

Only recently Kerala-based Koppara Enterprises who are located in the picturesque town of Kollam signed an order for a Ricoh C751 digital press. Rajeev Ramakrishnan of Koppara Enterprises, said, “I was impressed with the near-offset quality and productivity of the Ricoh C751. Outstanding media versatility broad paper support, improved fusing unit and high productivity up to 300 gsm, maximum uptime new liquid cooling system enabling extended and continuous printing is an added advantage.”
For firms with a lot of work on heavier stocks the productivity may settle the matter for the heavyweight lightweight.

Specifications
Speed                    75 pages per minute
Resolution                     1,200x4,800 dpi
Max paper size            330.2x487.7mm
RIP                                   EFI Fiery E-41A
Contact                                   Ricoh India                                 +91 11 41613010-18                                    avijit.m@ricoh.co.in
Heidelberg India Rene Schieber rene.schieber@heidelberg.com

THE ALTERNATIVES

---

Canon Imagepress C 7010
Due to superior fusing technology, the C 7010 can print on a variety of media finishes. Also Gloss Optimisation ensures that the gloss of the media will match the imaged area.
Speed                     A4 71.6 ppm
Paper weight        60-325 gsm
Max sheet size    330.2 x 487.7 mm
Resolution             1,200 dpi
Contact                  Canon India +91 124  4160000  
                                 www.canon.co.in

---

Konica Minolta Bizhub Pro 8000
The Pro 8000 boasts of high image quality and definition nearly equal to offset printers, achieved with the further advanced SEAD II image processing technology.
Speed                     A4 80 ppm
Paper weight        64-300 gsm
Max sheet size    304 x 457.2 mm
Resolution             1,200 dpi
Contact                  Konica Minolta India +91 124  6652000  
                                 www.konicaminolta.in

---

Xerox DC 7002  
It  features  an automated colour quality  suite with inline spectrophotometer to increase quality and consistency. The FreeFlow  print server performs spot colour calibration within a user-speci?ed level of quality.
Speed                      A4 70 ppm
Paper weight         60-300 gsm
Max sheet size      320 x 488 mm
Resolution              2400 x 2400 dpi
Contact                    Xerox India +91124 39400400  
                                  www.xerox.com