Ricoh, a long term player in the production of print heads for many of our wide format printers has announced that its European operation is expanding its ability to support the growing demand for its industrial inkjet print heads, used in wide format graphics, textile and 3D printing, with the launch of a new European Inkjet Technical Centre based in Telford, UK, and has appointed Graham Kennedy to the role of Business Development manager, Industrial Print, Ricoh Europe.
The new centre offers localised technical support for OEM inkjet innovators across EMEA. It has laboratories for providing internal testing, evaluation and external training. They are fully equipped to assist European integrators with their design, evaluation and validation of Ricoh's Ink Jet components – from product development through to the subsequent product introduction – for wide format graphics, direct to garment, 3D printing and other industrial applications.
“Ricoh’s inkjet print heads present many exciting opportunities for the future and innovative developers now have expanded opportunities to use our competence and support facilities and push their imagination to the limits,” says Graham Kennedy. “We are excited about the possibilities, whether that is to see our print heads being used in functional prototyping and advanced additive manufacturing, or to produce bespoke clothing on demand or to support the graphics and signage needs of the future.”
Ricoh’s technical team will also assess jetting characteristics, component application compatibility and fluid performance – allowing customers to have their fluid tests performed locally. In addition to the technical support and business development teams, chemists as well as mechanical and electrical engineers will be based at the centre to support customer projects. The Centre is a new resource specifically for EMEA-based customers and will work in collaboration with Ricoh’s global network of technology and component manufacturing facilities to provide responsive local technical support.
“With a large proportion of inkjet technology customers based in EMEA, there was a pressing need to provide the region with localised support. Crucially, this allows our clients to realise their ideas quicker and subsequently bring their products to market in a faster and more efficient manner. The establishment of the support centre ensures we are responsive to their needs and complements our existing support facilities throughout the region,” he says.
Ricoh Europe
www.ricoh-europe.com
