Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

[mrwho]

Sorry if this sounds silly (it is!) but it's something my boss asked me about, and I really didn't know what to answer.

Apparently there are (or were) some Konica Minolta color models that could be converted to BW (by removing the extra parts like CMY pcdus and such).

Is there any Ricoh model that allows such a thing?

Thanks.

[davel]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

But why would anyone need to?

[Gift]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

Short answere: No

Long answere:

But you can pick a color MFP and set it up so the customer can't use color copy/print.
Ricoh mid range IMC3000 series and it's predecessors (MPC3504, MPC3003) don't care or suffer from low/none color volume and the expected toner consumption for
calibration processes is very little, even if you don't tweak the intervals via SP settings.

I see returners with very low color volume every now and then and none of them needed any color parts.
So, all in all, if you won't exceed ~6 years of contract time it's very very unlikely that you must touch the initial color PCUs/toner.

Ricoh B&W systems are far worse to service - nothing lasts as long as it should unless the
machines operates within a very narrow "usage-specification" (pages/job, paper quality).

[sandmanmac]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

my boss asked me about, and I really didn't know what to answer.

I've personally never heard of this.

I don't have a boss, but if I did, I think my answer would be "why would anyone want to do such a thing when a comparable B&W unit could be several thousand dollars less?"

I'm hopeful that some Konica/ Minolta experts weigh in on this to confirm if it's a fact or not. It just doesn't sound likely or even possible to me, but I'm still curious if it is true, and what the reasoning would be

....Just thinking out loud

[mikadonovan]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

But you can pick a color MFP and set it up so the customer can't use color copy/print.

This would be the way to do it.

[mrwho]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

But why would anyone need to?

*shrug*

Short answere: No

Long answere:

But you can pick a color MFP and set it up so the customer can't use color copy/print.

I know that, and he knows that.

I'm hopeful that some Konica/ Minolta experts weigh in on this to confirm if it's a fact or not. It just doesn't sound likely or even possible to me, but I'm still curious if it is true, and what the reasoning would be

I'm also curious.

The only thing I can think of that could vaguely justify it was if we bought a lot of cheap end-of-life color machines, took out the extra color parts for use on parts replacement and turn them into bw machines for customers who don't want color.

But I have no idea.

[3ktlc]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

I was a konica minolta dealer for years and never heard of this.

[anothertech]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

It's probably a good idea to get a Ricoh color and then lock it down to B&W. The color machines run much better than the B&W.

[slimslob]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

You can easily lock color down by requiring a user code to access color but then don't setup any users authorized to use color except maybe the company owner and a few others the owner has you setup. I have done that numerous times when a business owner wants to limit the added cost of color clicks. Just remember, they are still going to require color toner as the machine does use toner from all 4 PCDU when running Process Control, normally done at least once a day.

[Gift]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

I was a konica minolta dealer for years and never heard of this.

I am and never heard of it too but let's go a little in depth:

In fact the KM A3 mid range series enginge concept is designed fully modular across color and B&W.
The engine of a B&W model is basicly a stripped down color engine but with the
color components missing (Drum+Dev units / CMY toner supply) + some parts changes.

Still too many parts and electric components or the software are slightly different
so converting a color MFP to B&B would require a long list of stuff and time effort that
- in total - would exceed the costs of a new B&W model.

I think what sandmanmac heard was a rumor based of the identical appearance of these machines.
KM also offers some tweaks to remove the color copy function in copy window
so you can make the operation panel look like it's a B&W model - that's just cosmetical
so it will keep calibrating/stabilizing the color drums/devs.

Like ricoh these mid range A3 engines are pretty reliable and won't suffer from low/none volume.

[brodiescomics]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

Another trick, instead of user codes (The "Color" code will get out eventually), is to set up users with monochrome drivers.

[slimslob]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

Another trick, instead of user codes (The "Color" code will get out eventually), is to set up users with monochrome drivers.

And someone will finger out how to install the color driver. You are aware that User Codes can be setup with passwords?

[brodiescomics]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

Just trying to share some of my experiences as a technician.

[brodiescomics]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

And someone will finger out how to install the color driver. You are aware that User Codes can be setup with passwords?

Just like print drivers?

[tonerhead]

Re: Any "convertible" Ricoh model (from Color to BW)?

Late to the dance again. I can speak from personal experience. I had a customer with a used mpc3503 copier that didn't want any color being used. We locked out all color except for his code. The copier did 75 color/year and about 50k/year black. Doing maintenance, when the black drum started showing wear, I would swap parts with color unit. Worked for me. He never complained about color, even though it was marginal. Just my $.02.