To support the growing demand for industrial inkjet print heads Ricoh Europe is launching a new European Ink Jet Technical Centre offering technical support for inkjet innovators.
The new centre, based in Telford, UK opens its doors in April 2014 and 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.
Graham Kennedy, business development manager, Industrial Print, Ricoh Europe, said, ‘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. 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.’
The company’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 the company’s global network of technology and component manufacturing facilities to provide responsive local technical support.
‘With a large proportion of ink jet 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,’ added Mr Kennedy.
