Wide Format. I can help

reply from the Aficio

As a former wide format specialist with Ikon (still with Ikon in different capacity - but also still handling all wide format opportunities), I have to say that the 240W is the best intro wide format product on the market. Since December 1, 2004 we have closed 7 Ricoh digital wide format boxes here in the Charlotte area.

If you haven't already heard of it, you should try looking into Trix Systems Drawing Center 5 (only $189). It is a plot file viewing and printing software that handles the latest file types. Bundled with the Ricoh product - it gives the Ricoh Repro-Desk type functionality - allowing you to edit and plot .dwg, .dfx, microstation, and many other file types. In my five years selling wide format here at Ikon, it provides the most bang for the buck in this market segment. The Trix support people will provide sales reps a free version to help sell it and a full use 10 day trial for customers.

This software has helped me place units into 5 print shops, as print shop people don't want to know all of the ins and outs of Autocad and don't want to spend $900 on Autocad LT. Feel free to email me with questions or tips at gingram@ikon.com.

The 7030 was made by Mita, do you know what the eqivelent Mita model is? Ricoh doesn't support this anymore and i was wondering if Mita did

david147

David, the Mita model was the xi3648 and should still be support for most parts ie drum, toner fuser rollers etc.

allan

What about the controller??

The controller was never updated past AutoCAD 2000 or 2002 and can only run on NT. If a customer wanted to update, they need to upgrade the PC, possibly the Little Bear Card, and also purchase the Ratio version of the software for the 7030D. It's a lot of expense and probably not much return for the customer. May be a good time to get into an Aficio 240W. If you still want to pursue the controller upgrade, there is a company in Ohio that now handles the Repro Fx controller since Visual Edge is no longer around. Can't remember their name, but if you type in Visual Edge, Repro Fx Controller, Ohio, you should get to the correct company. Good Luck.

Actually David there are still controllers for these machine that work with acad 2005 and will work with windows2000 and XP. Depending on the mileage on the 7030D it may makke mor sense to look at the Ricoh 240W. But for a few thousand dollars you can give somebody a pretty reliable all in one system.
let me know if you need a controller.