My Heidelberg Versafire EP / Ricoh Pro c9200 Full Review

[@leonardo29098]

Nice video mike. Good review.

[@miketheprintman]

Thanks 👍

[@agelosmata]

Thanks for the presentation. It was very detailed and understandable. I had a little trouble to understanding the imperial metric system because I'm from Europe, but it was fine. I also run a 350 in offline mode and it works very well for short term jobs. Powerful and easy to use machine.

[@miketheprintman]

Those Plockmatics are awesome. I like the spine crimper feature. Helps a lot when you package the books, they fit in boxes easier.

[@johnmcadams4738]

Hey Mike - I appreciate the video. We have a Ricoh 7200 (only using the clear for one clients bus cards - so not really necessary)now but our volumes have grown to where we are exceeding the monthly duty cycle on a regular basis. So, I’m looking at the Ricoh 9500 or the KM c14000. I do like the way the Ricoh has the fusing unit separated - seems smart for the longer runs. Do you have the “Auto Color Diagnosis” feature on your model? I’m just wondering if that feature is needed. I’m in the Milwaukee metro area so both the Ricoh & KM have good service teams close & available. We have never had a KM press before - a sister shop of ours has a smaller production KM unit and they like it and have noted good service for it. But I’ve heard some troubling stories on the early years for the KM c14000 - but nothing recent. Let me know if you think the Ricoh Auto Color Diagnosis (if you have it - is it worth the extra $) Let me know your thoughts. Thanks Mike- John the printer man

[@miketheprintman]

As far as I know the c9200/9500 have the color calibrator built in. I wasn’t aware that there was even an option not to have it. Personally I think it’s a great feature of the machine and worth whatever price you have to pay for it. I have heard some stories that the Km 14000 had some growing pains when they first released it, but I’m sure they worked them out by now. My money would’ve on the 9500 though. Ricoh makes great machines.

[@johnmcadams4738]

There are 2 “Optional” quality control features with the 9500. 1. Image Quality Monitor- Checks for imperfections in print 2. Auto Color Diagnosis - this automatically corrects color when in production. Maybe your 9200 already has this in its build.

[@miketheprintman]

@@johnmcadams4738 Those could be new features. I know on the 9200 there is a built in scanner that auto detects image quality and will attempt to fix imperfections in the prints. The c9500 has probably improved on that feature, so that could be what that is. Either way, I don't see how having that could be a downside.

[@johnmcadams4738]

I know that toner squares are applied to the image belt and the densities are scanned read and adjusted but if you want the printed image itself read and adjusted to the RIP image that is where the optional feature of Auto Color Diagnosis comes into play. My sales rep on this area says he never sells these 2 options because of how good the machine is w/out them.

[@miketheprintman]

Well if that’s the case I would forgo getting that unit. Unless you’re trying to become G7 certified or have a lot of customers that require super accurate color.

[@keystone1355]

This machine is probably our next purchase. Using the 7100 now and it's getting old. We absolutely hate Prinect and the Heidelberg DFE. Fiery was SO much easier and smoother. We had a brand new server with only the Prinect software on it and the machine was struggling to keep up. Always crashes and in my opinion way over complicated. The server for the plate maker seems to be constantly updating and running 24/7. Hoping to unplug from H-Berg software in the future.

[@miketheprintman]

I hear you. The new shop I'm at now uses Prinect. Although there are some nice features, I think a lot of it is geared toward the offset side of things and it's a bit of an overkill for daily use. I used to run a c7110. Great machine, but the newer c7200 and now c7500 models are leaps and bounds better when it comes to the 5th toner station.

[@ansellc3451]

Thank for your this. Is it possible to run synthetic labels in it? I know you could but in longer runs would the adhesive cause issues?

[@miketheprintman]

We run synthetic stocks all the time. I assume you mean like PVC type labels, right? Just make sure you check with the manufacturer’s website to see if the press is compatible. However, you can damn near throw a piece of wood through this thing and have it print, so it should work just fine.

[@RodelCasio]

Just got hired at a printshop with these machines and I'm encounting issues with registering both sides. I'm used to Konica Minolta machines with their IQ501 with both sides adjustment...Any advice?

[@miketheprintman]

Hi Rodel. The Ricoh c9200 has a built in auto front/back registration calibrator. If you go into the paper library and click on edit settings at the bottom left hand side you’ll see options for registration. One is manual, one is auto. The auto will burn up 31 sheets of media, but should fix any front/back issues for that paper.

[@Daniel-dp5gi]

Great video, our 9200 fusers get ruined QUICKLY if we try to run a smaller sheet, putting lines in the fuser belts. Does this sound normal?

[@miketheprintman]

Yes, that’s normal. That’s why you have to run the smoothing belt a few times to erase those lines on the fuser belt.

[@hazzmatte]

Have would you compare this machine to the newer 9500? Assuming you had a chance to see a 9500. Thx man

[@miketheprintman]

Have not seen one in person yet. My Ricoh tech says a lot of the improvements are on the maintenance side of things. Longer up time between maintenance cycles, better inline calibration scanner, etc. Sounds good for high volume shops.

[@hazzmatte]

Got a demo in manhattan of the 9500 Nice machine. I wasn’t thrilled with the paper set up process. The marks on the sheets didn’t back up each other to my specifications. I found the canon v1350 with the option sensing unit does a great job aligning and squaring the marks on a sheet front to back. However the v1350 doesn’t seem to be built as well and a little Mickey mouse in some ways. Still trying to decide between Ricoh 9500 and canon v1350 9500 is a 9200 with some enhancements. While canon is releasing a new fixing unit. They are going to a single belt fused 135 sheets a minute rated. But get over 257 gsm and it slows down to 105 sheets. early adaptors of the v1350 may be beta testers without knowing it. 🤣

[@miketheprintman]

@@hazzmatte Yeah, I've read some negative things on the Canon. I worked on a Canon c7000 about 15 years ago and it was a nightmare. I think mostly the print engine was a lemon. I do like the paper feeding and library setup better on the Canon than the Ricoh's, but I find the alignment to be pretty spot on with Ricoh, especially if you run the inline calibrator for front/back registration. And it never slows down unless you're doing real heavy stuff like 470 gsm paper.

[@VisarIdrizi]

Thanks for presentation, it was very informative. I want to buy same machine but it has more the 2 mio impressions, is that a lot or how check is it worth buying it? Thanks in advance

[@miketheprintman]

2 Millions impressions is nothing. We have put nearly 5 million impression in just over 15 months and it's running just fine. As long as the maintenance has been done on it, then I would expect these machines to last well into the 20-30 million impression count before encountering major issues. As always, however, when buying used equipment, it's worth it to check it out to see if everything is functioning properly and a good idea to get a certified tech to take a look and see if everything looks good.

[@VisarIdrizi]

@@miketheprintman thanks a lot man! I am buying it from authorised and fully furbished for about 45.000usd. Is that worth it?

[@miketheprintman]

@@VisarIdrizi It depends on what accessories come with it, but that sounds like a good ballpark figure for the amount of clicks. Typical set up is with one additional LCT and then either a standard stapler finisher or stacker unit. Is that what this one comes with?

[@VisarIdrizi]

@@miketheprintman yes it has a stacker.

[@miketheprintman]

@@VisarIdrizi Then that's right in line with what it's worth. It's a great machine. Hope you can purchase it.

[@cmservices183]

Hi did you have trouble connecting the fiery to the printer? I just bought the Heidelburg versafire pro C7210x and we have not been able to connect it to our fiery! Do you have any suggestions? Seems like the fiery isn't syncing with the printer, I am getting a blue fiery icon instead of the original Fiery logo. We also keep getting a paper size not invalid even if everything matches on both fiery and all printer trays.

[@miketheprintman]

Honestly we had a Ricoh tech out to do the install. They were the ones who set up all our previous Ricoh machines. I’m not an expert on the setup of the software, so I’m not sure. I would assume it has something to do with the fiery and print engine not recognizing arch other, but I would contact Ricoh or fiery direct and see if they can troubleshoot the issue over the phone.

[@bochokoy1118]

Good day! I understand that Heidelberg is using a different DFE such as Prinect . Are you using Fiery Controller instead of Prinect? Happy to assist here.

[@miketheprintman]

@@bochokoy1118 the machine in the video used Fiery. However the shop I work at now uses Prinect for our c9200.

[@bochokoy1118]

@@miketheprintman , I got it. Just let us know how can we help if you will use Fiery controller then. Great

[@KWANTlZE]

do you mentor ??

[@miketheprintman]

I wish I could. I try to make these videos as ways to help others learn, but it’s nothing formal. Are you needing help with training?

[@KWANTlZE]

@@miketheprintman i own a moving company and want to change get in to printing .. i saw your comment making 50k a week it really wanted me to take this serous

[@miketheprintman]

@@KWANTlZE Ah. Well it's definitely doable, but I work for a well established company that's been in business for over 25 years. That number has been built up over time. It is certainly achievable, however, it just takes a lot of hard work selling your services. On top of that it is a very technical business, so there is a big learning curve. I'd be happy to give pointers on where to start, what next steps in establishing business are, etc. John my Patreon, it's free, that is a much easier place to chat back and forth.

[@KWANTlZE]

@@miketheprintman thnak you bro

[@KWANTlZE]

just joined

[@松阳-x5g]

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