Why We Use Ricoh G6 Printheads in Our Industrial UV printers

In the world of industrial UV printing, the "heart" of the machine is its printhead. While the Ricoh Gen5 was the industry workhorse for years, the Ricoh G6 has become the definitive choice for high-end industrial machines in 2026.

Here is why we utilize Ricoh Gen6 technology to power our industrial UV solutions.

1. Faster Throughput Without Quality Loss

The most significant upgrade from previous generations is the firing frequency. While the Gen5 operated at 30 kHz, the Gen6 pushes this to 50 kHz.

What this means for you: The printhead can eject ink droplets much faster, resulting in a 30–50% increase in production speed depending on the configuration. You can output more square meters per hour without the "banding" or graininess often seen when pushing older heads to their limits.

2. Ultra-Fine Precision (5pl Droplets)

The Ricoh Gen6 features an improved minimum droplet size of 5 picoliters (pl), down from the 7pl standard of the Gen5.

Fine Detail: Smaller droplets allow for incredibly sharp text (down to 2pt font) and smoother skin tones.

Grayscale Technology: It uses Multi-drop technology to create variable dots (5, 10, and 15pl). This ensures that while fine details are crisp, solid colors remain vibrant and saturated.

3. Industrial-Grade Durability

Unlike "disposable" or plastic-based printheads (like some Epson models), Ricoh heads are constructed from stainless steel.

Lifespan: With proper maintenance, these heads can last 3 to 5 years in a heavy production environment.

Stability: The internal heater and thermistor maintain constant ink viscosity, which is critical for Uv Inks that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

4. Enhanced Ink Compatibility

The Gen6 was specifically engineered to handle a wider range of high-viscosity inks, including UV, solvent, and even aqueous-based fluids.

Corrosion Resistance: The internal bonding materials are more robust, meaning the head is less likely to suffer from "delamination" (internal leaking) when using aggressive UV ink formulas.

High-Gap Printing: The Gen6 maintains excellent drop placement accuracy even at higher carriage heights, making it safer to print on slightly uneven substrates without risking a "head strike."

Comparison: Gen5 vs. Gen6 at a Glance

Pro Tip: One often overlooked benefit of the Gen6 is the detachable cable design. In older models, a damaged cable often meant replacing the entire expensive printhead. With the Gen6, the cables can be replaced independently, significantly lowering long-term maintenance costs.

The below pisctures are our industrial Uv Printers with Ricoh G6 heads, include UV flatbed printers, UV hybrid printers etc

More details, please visit our website: www.boranprinters.com