Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head ARTJET 2025

Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

Up until last time, we have summarized 24 UV printer ink supply problems and solutions.

This is a summary of all the issues that have occurred over the past 5 years. If you have a printer that uses the damper method, you can solve most problems by just looking at the link below.

Ink supply issue and solution summary

Now, I’m organizing the problems and symptoms related to the UV Printer head.

Before dealing with the actual problems and solutions, there are too many misconceptions about the head, so I’ll explain the basics first.

1.Does the head have a lifespan? Is a head warranty available?
2. “In what cases does the head free warranty apply?’
3. “They say it’s the same head but 2400 dpi?” Summary of the concept of printing resolution
4. “I don’t know what print head specs mean” Just by reading this, you will have the same level of knowledge as a printer distributor.
5. “Look at the actual head brochure and explain the important points to consider among the specifications and their meanings.”
6. “How do you jet ink from the head?”
7. “What are Grayscale and Multidrop?”
8. Ricoh print head sum up

Today I will explain why the Ricoh Gen5i head and Xaar1201 head are the same head.

I. Comparing Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

1. Mechanism _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

The photo below is the Ricoh Gen5i head.

I don’t know why it’s called Gen5i, but the official Ricoh name is TH5241.

And, the head in the brochure below is Xaar1201.

The appearance is the same, but there are two different places.

Ink inlet where ink comes in
Connection part where DATA cable is connected.

Having the same appearance except for the ink inlet and data cable connection part means that the products are made by the same manufacturer.

2. Specification _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

The photo below shows the Ricoh Gen5i (TH5241) head specifications.

Below are the Xaar1201 head specs.

Appearance size

Gen5i is 52.7mm x 45.8mm x 55.4mm
Xaar1201 is 52.7mm x 45mm x 76.2mm
The height is different due to the ink inlet, but the width and length are the same.

Total number of nozzles available for printing

Gen5i has 1280 nozzles, and the print section is 27.1mm.
Xaar1201 is also 1280, and the print section is 27mm.
It has the same number of nozzles and the same print width.

Nozzle distance and NPI

Gen5i has a total of 4 nozzle rows, and when 4 different colors are used, it is 300npi, and when 2 nozzle rows use the same color, it is 600npi.
Xaar1201 Also, if you look at the picture, it has 4 nozzle rows and only Max 600npi is shown, but if you use different colors for each of the 4 nozzle rows, it becomes 300npi.
Npi is also the same.

The nozzle row spacing A (2.2856mm) and B (6.0948) values are also the same.

II. Ricoh Gen5i print quality and reliability _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

1. Excellent print quality _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

The photo below is of the Dimatix Samba head.

When the ink drop volume is 2pl, 1200 x 1200 dpi is possible, and the print quality is as shown in the photo below.

The Ricoh Gen5i head is 3 pico liters and the actual resolution is up to 900 x 1200 dpi.

It has less detail than the samba head above, but I think it is the head that implements the best print quality except for this head.

You can check the Gen5i head print quality through the video below that compares the print quality of the Epson i3200 head and the Gen5i head.

Even if this video is made from China manufacturer, the video exactly show quality difference.

Comparison of print quality between Epsoni3200 and Ricoh Gen5i

2. Concerns about stability _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

We sold printers equipped with Xaar1201 heads until the official discontinuation of the Xaar1201 head in 2020.

I thought it would be durable since it was an OEM head from Ricoh, but after about 6 or 9 months, the head started to show abnormal symptoms.

Of course, it wasn’t all like that, but about 20-30% of the heads started showing these symptoms.

We didn’t sell the same printer anymore because the Xaar1201 head was discontinued, but it was always a source of anxiety.

3. Now _Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head

Xaar1201 head

Discontinued in 2020,
and currently the Xaar1201 head itself is unavailable.
I heard that those who purchased printers equipped with Xaar1201 heads from other vendors until a year ago would have to pay a separate Gen5i head upgrade cost (board change) to replace the head.

Ricoh’s Gen5i head

I also heard from a Chinese partner that is not in smooth supply.
It is available domestically, but the head price continues to rise.
It seems that Ricoh is lauching the new Gen6 head, and is keeping the Gen5i head mass production to a minimum.
Considering that no more printers are coming out with Gen5i heads with good print quality, it seems that they are not going to mass-produce them due to concerns about head stability.

III. This is how ARTJET supports our customers.

One thing I feel while selling and maintaining ARTJET UV Printers for 5 years is that the next most important thing after product stability is Troubleshooting DATA.

All products have problems, whether they are actual equipment problems or consumer errors, and product stability is how easily and quickly you solve those problems.

We are organizing all the troubleshooting DATA as follows.

You can see the product print quality by clicking here.

Roland UV Printer summary — ARTJET UV Printer

7. UV Printer Application

we are explaining not only UV printer problems and solutions, but also what products are produced with UV printers.

1. Braille printing
2. Flip the material and align it
3. 2.5D UV print
4. ARTJET UV Printer Application 6 _아크릴 본딩 장비
5. I phone 14 print limitation
6. Mask printing not recommend
7. Leather Cigarette Case UV Printing
8. Round soccer strategy board UV printing
9. Primer performance & limitation
10. UV Print & Laser crop mark cutting
11. Mobil case UV print profit
12. Screen vs Digital Comparison and UV Printing on Hand Sanitizer Cases
13. Bottle zig & print
14. Canvas UV Printing
15. Applying epoxy effect with varnish
16. Making a light frame with UV Printer & Laser cutter
17. UV Printer & Laser Cutting Equipment Button Name Tag Making
18. UV Printer & Laser Cutting Making a Cell Phone GripTok
19. Making an Acrylic Keychain with UV Printer & Laser Cutter
20. UV Print with Zig
21. How to make RD WORKS CCD camera cutting Video manual
22. Acrylic bonding equipment
23. All the steps to create UVDTF
24. UVDTF TEST Result on various material
25. ARTJET CW+C Print time & Ink Cost
26. Create a white shield with different images on the front and back of the keyring
27. Keyring Business Required Equipment and Investment Costs
29. Acrylic Lighting Goods
30. Ballpoint pen jig printing
31. Staining occurs when printing on coated leather

8. Bonus

1. ARTJET UV Printer Old Model Refurbished
2. UV Printer Laser Cutter Bonding Machine Which equipment should I buy first?
3. Considerations when choosing a UV printer
4. DTF Printer Price and Specification Survey
5. Acrylic Bonding Equipment Don’t Put It Off Anymore
6. China inkjet level now
7. Thoughts on KOSIGN 2024
8. ARTJET Delivery Preparation
9. ARTJET Setting Sequence
10. UV Printer History and Future Prediction 1
11. UV Printer History and Future Prediction 2
12. UV Printer History and Future Prediction 3
13. UV Printer History and Future Prediction 4
14. UV Printer History and Future Prediction 5
15. Are there many problems with China’s UV Printer?
16. UV Printer Small Text Meaning
17. Is the XP600 head okay
18. Roland UV Printer Summary
19. Mimaki UV Printer Summary
20. UV Printer Alibaba Direct Purchase Considerations
21. Things to consider when buying a used UV Printer
22. Bi Uni Print Quality Differences
23. RDworks download install and laser head position by SW

That’s it for today.

쉬운 목차

INKJET UV Printer & Laser Cutting Machine

Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head ARTJET 2025

8. Bonus