Ricoh Gen6 vs Gen5: Which Head for Your Flatbed Printer?

Ricoh Gen6 outperforms Gen5 in UV flatbed printing with 5PL droplets (vs 7PL) for sharper details, 30% faster speeds at 50kHz frequency, better UV/solvent ink compatibility, and 5-year head life. Choose Gen6 for high-volume production; stick with cost-effective Gen5 (~$1600/head) for mid-volume precision work like home décor and signs.

Check: AJ3220G/R UV Flatbed Printer

What Are the Key Specs of Ricoh Gen5 and Gen6 Printheads?

Ricoh Gen5 printheads feature 7PL droplet size, up to 1200 dpi resolution, and reliable performance for industrial UV flatbed applications. Gen6 advances with 5PL droplets, 50kHz firing frequency, enhanced variable drop technology (up to three levels), and broader ink compatibility including UV, solvent, and aqueous inks, supporting high-precision and high-speed printing.

Ricoh Gen5 printheads, like those in AndresJet's AJ2130EX and AJ2130Ultra models, deliver proven reliability with 1,280 nozzles per head and variable droplet technology optimized for UV-curable inks. These heads excel in high-volume environments, powering speeds up to 140.7 m²/h in ultra-draft modes on large-format flatbeds. Gen6 heads, standard in AndresJet AJ2130G/R and scalable in AJ2512G/R, introduce smaller 5PL droplets for finer detail transitions and improved ejection accuracy, reducing graininess even at high speeds.

Both generations share piezo drop-on-demand technology, but Gen6's upgrades include higher sustainable jetting frequencies and lower blocking rates, making it ideal for extended production shifts. In UV flatbed printing, Gen5 supports resolutions like 720×1200 dpi, while Gen6 maintains these while adding multi-ink versatility for white ink and varnish effects.

How Does Ricoh Gen6 Speed Compare to Gen5 in UV Flatbed Printing?

Ricoh Gen6 offers up to 30% faster printing than Gen5 due to its 50kHz maximum firing frequency, enabling higher productivity in UV flatbed printers—e.g., 31 sqm/hr on AndresJet AJ2130G/R vs. 128.6 m²/h draft on Gen5-equipped AJ2130EX, depending on mode and configuration.

Speed differences shine in real production: Gen6's advanced ignition technology increases ink output per unit time at the same resolution, reducing passes needed for quality prints. For instance, in 4-pass bi-directional modes, Gen6 configurations achieve significantly shorter print times per sqm compared to Gen5 equivalents. AndresJet's AJ2130G/R with 6× Gen6 heads reaches 48.3 m²/h in draft mode, balancing speed and an 8-color setup (CMYK + LC + LM + White + Varnish).

Gen5 powers ultra-high-speed machines like the AJ2130Ultra (24 heads, 140.7 m²/h ultra-draft) for sheer volume, but Gen6 sustains higher frequencies without quality loss during 8-hour shifts. Here's a comparison of AndresJet models:

This table highlights how head count and generation impact output—Gen5 for max throughput, Gen6 for efficient quality runs.

Why Does Gen6's 5PL Droplet Size Beat Gen5's 7PL for Print Quality?

Gen6's 5PL droplets provide sharper details and smoother gradients than Gen5's 7PL by enabling finer pattern transitions and reduced graininess, ideal for high-definition UV flatbed printing at 600+ dpi without sacrificing speed.

Smaller droplets in Gen6 improve dot placement accuracy, producing intricate designs with minimal banding—crucial for home décor panels or sign graphics. Gen5's 7PL handles solid colors and gradients well but shows more visible transitions in fine details. Both support resolutions up to 720×1200 dpi in AndresJet printers, but Gen6's three-level variable drops enhance precision for 360×1800 dpi modes.

In practice, Gen6 minimizes the "grainy feel" in large-droplet sprays, supporting high-quality output at faster speeds. For applications like gift printing or plastic products, this translates to superior texture effects with white ink layers up to 0.15mm raised (as in AndresJet cylinder models, adaptable to flatbeds).

Is Ricoh Gen6 Ink Compatibility Superior for UV and Multi-Ink Applications?

Yes, Gen6 supports broader ink types including UV, solvent, and aqueous, plus simultaneous white and varnish output for 3D effects, outperforming Gen5's primary UV focus with lower blocking rates and twice the service life.

Gen6's design ensures reliable jetting across formulations, vital for multi-application shops handling packaging or décor. AndresJet AJ2130G/R leverages this with 8-color configs, while Gen5 models like AJ3220EX use UV-curable inks efficiently with 30% savings via grayscale printing. Gen6 also enables embossed varnish, enhancing realism in sign printing.

When Is Gen5 Still the Better Choice Over Gen6 for Flatbed Printers?

Choose Gen5 for cost-effective, mid-volume precision work like home décor and signs where 5+ year head life and lower upfront costs (~$1600/head) outweigh Gen6's speed gains, especially in setups not requiring multi-ink versatility.

Gen5 remains optimal for reliable, high-throughput runs without complex maintenance. AndresJet's AJ2130EX (16× Gen5, 74.6 m²/h quality mode) suits large-format sign production, while AJ2130Ultra maximizes volume at 104.5 m²/h premium quality. For lower volumes, Gen5 avoids Gen6's potential thermal demands.

AndresJet Expert Views: "With over 10 years in high-speed UV flatbed printing, we've seen Gen5 deliver unmatched stability in 100+ sqm/hr environments for plastic and sign applications. AndresJet configures scalable arrays—like 24× Gen5 in AJ2130Ultra for ultra-high speeds or 6× Gen6 in AJ2130G/R for quality-focused runs—ensuring right-sized performance. Our 8-year spare parts guarantee and 2-year warranty minimize downtime, letting clients focus on production." – AndresJet Engineering Team

What Is the Real ROI: Gen6 Upgrade Cost vs Gen5 Long-Term Savings?

Gen6 justifies upgrade for high-volume ops via 30% speed gains and ink savings, but Gen5 offers better ROI for mid-volume with lower head costs ($1600 vs ~$2600) and proven 5-year life, plus AndresJet's 30% ink efficiency on both.

Factor in maintenance: Gen6's lower blocking suits 8-hour shifts, reducing costs per sqm. AndresJet's fiber optic interfaces and servo motors enhance longevity on all models.

How Do Gen5 and Gen6 Perform in Real Production Scenarios?

In home décor, Gen6 excels for detailed panels (AJ2130G/R, 27.9 m²/h high-quality); signs favor Gen5 volume (AJ3220EX, 89.6 m²/h); packaging benefits Gen6 multi-ink (white/varnish effects).

For sign printing, Gen5's AJ2130EX handles 92.9 m²/h standard; décor uses AJ2512G/R Gen6 at 13–35 sqm/hr on 8×4ft formats.

Which AndresJet Printers Use Gen5 vs Gen6 and Why Choose Them?

Check: Who Owns Brother Printer Company, China Or Japan?

AJ2130EX/Ultra (Gen5) for max speed (up to 140.7 m²/h); AJ2130G/R, AJ2512G/R (Gen6) for precision + 8-colors (up to 35 sqm/hr). Choose based on volume: Gen5 for throughput, Gen6 for quality.

AndresJet's 1–100mm thickness handling and anti-collision systems pair perfectly with both, serving North America/South Asia clients.

Can You Retrofit Gen5 Machines with Gen6 Printheads Easily?

No—Gen6 requires electronics for 50kHz, ink system updates, and thermal management; not a drop-in swap. AndresJet recommends new configurable models over retrofits for seamless integration.

Conclusion

Select Ricoh Gen5 for high-volume reliability or Gen6 for precision speed in UV flatbeds. AndresJet's lineup, backed by expert support and long-term parts, ensures optimal ROI—contact us to match the right head to your workflow.

FAQs

What is the droplet size difference between Ricoh Gen5 and Gen6? Gen5 uses 7PL; Gen6 uses 5PL for finer details.

Is Gen6 faster than Gen5 in flatbed printing? Yes, up to 30% via 50kHz frequency.

Which AndresJet model for high-speed Gen5? AJ2130Ultra at 140.7 m²/h ultra-draft.

Does AndresJet offer Gen6 white ink printing? Yes, on AJ2130G/R with 8-color configs.

What warranty does AndresJet provide? 2 years comprehensive; 8 years spare parts.