Ricoh 2005 Annual Report Download - page 11

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2005
Ricoh’s Printing Solutions
From offices to mainframe systems
Technologies
Technology
The OPC film is automatically rolled up after printing a
specified quantity of pages, and a new sheet is
installed.
This paper pick-up method feeds air towards the paper from the
compressor to float the paper. It improves the reliability of cut-sheet
printers by reducing paper jams.
From Low-end Printers in Offices
to High-end Printers for
Mainframe Systems
The Ricoh Group considers the printing
business an important pillar of its growth
strategy, because it is expected to expand as
IT and networking progress.
In October 2004, Ricoh Printing Systems,
Ltd. was established as a member of the
Ricoh Group specializing in the printer
business. Specializing in laser printers for
mainframe systems, it promotes its business
by focusing on its expertise in high-speed
high-reliability technology, small-size large-
volume technology, and systems technology.
With the addition of this new company,
Ricoh can now offer a full lineup of printers
and services, and has become a premier
printer vendor. We will continue to develop
more technologies while enhancing and
expanding our marketing reach.
Developing High-speed, High-
reliability Open Environment
Printers
For our mainframe printers, high-speed,
high-reliability and high-durability are
required, because they are expected to print
large volumes of data as fast as possible. In
recent years, business systems have been
switching from general-purpose mainframe
computers to UNIX ® and Windows ®.
Ricoh Printing Systems has developed high-
speed, high-reliability open environment
printers using the technology for reliability
gained from developing printers for
mainframe systems. These printers are
equipped with network interfaces, enabling
high-capacity high-speed data transmission
by switching protocols, to meet the need for
high productivity for both cut-sheet and
continuous-feed printers.
From Parts to Production
Equipment, All Developed In-
house
1. High-Speed
Continuous-feed printers print 574
pages/min (A4, 2-UP printing). Cut-sheet
printers print 156 pages/min (A4, 2-UP
printing). They provide world-class speed
and productivity using high-level optical,
imaging and paper feed technologies. Since
2001, a “pinless” paper feed method has
been used to handle paper without pin-feed
holes (for continuous-feed printers).
2. Reliability
Superb reliability is provided through the use
of sensors for paper feed control, printing
position, etc.
An air-pick mechanism was developed (for
cut-sheet printers), in which a cut-sheet is
fed using air pressure, in order to increase
reliability in high-speed printers. By using a
frame with high rigidity to achieve
dimensional accuracy, the paper feed system
is made more stable and the risk of paper
jams has been greatly reduced.
3. High-Quality & High-Resolution฀
Blue laser diodes (in our continuous-feed
printers) result in high-speed and high-
quality. 600 dpi printing is used, the highest
resolution for mainframe printers, in order
to print high-resolution images without
slowing down the printer.
4. High-durability & Easy
Maintenance
Continuous-feed printers are able to average
five million pages/month. Cut-sheet printers
average nine hundred thousand
pages/month, with a durability rating of 80
million pages.
To prolong printer life, a photo conductor
drum is used for continuous-feed printers.
For cut-sheet printers, an original OPC film
roll up method was developed.
To Our Shareholders
and Customers
Review of Operations
(General Information by Business Area)
Technology Corporate Social
Responsibility Environment Financial Section
new OPC film
old OPC film