Kyocera 15000c Taskalfa Pro inkjet Feedback

[toddanderson1970]

I am looking for any feedback on the Kyocera 15000c Taskalfa Pro inkjet
It's been out around two years. Kyocera first production machine. I have been shopping for a inkjet cutsheet. One of my friends has one 15000c, he likes the machine but I guess the support he gets from Kyocera is poor. They had a direct Kyocera Rep come in System Support Engineer (SSE) that seemed to know very little about the machine. The Kyocera rep said they don’t have dedicated technical Production reps and he works on everything from a $500 printer all through to production machines and document management, from what I here he works on ever single thing Kyocera sells. He said Kyocera has one dedicated production guy for the entire country. We are just a small shop, the 15000c would be a big expense for us. I am worried that Kyocera does not have dedicated technical production technical reps to support the product.

 

[SoggyWinter]

MCS sells what appears to be the same machine. You might ask them about their support offerings.

Merlin K146c - MCS Pro

Low capital cost No clicks Industry leading shared maintenance Ease of use

mcspro.com

 

[msaeger]

You can get one from Ricoh direct. We haven't sold one here yet so I don't know much about it besides what's the the documentation.

 

[gregbatch]

Everything but the engine is Ricoh. The same proven modules used on the 8200 series. The engine is Kyocera of course. I believe a bulk ink system is available from all, but MCS offers an extra large bulk ink system for economy. I would go MCS if you want bulk ink or Ricoh if not.

 

[gregbatch]

One thing to consider is that inkjet engines are typically very reliable. Most problems in toner based machines are in the engine, not the modules. And most of those problems are unique to toner imaging. When inkjets have a problem it's usually the print head and those are usually user replaceable to get you back up quickly. I know people with Riso Comcolors that printed hundreds of thousands of impressions and all they have replaced is feed rollers. No service calls.

 

[toddanderson1970]

I will investigate MCS and Ricoh
Thanks for all the help

 

[msaeger]

There are actually quite a few videos on YouTube about this machine with some good info.

 

[gregbatch]

Actually, there is one more player. BlueCrest (formerly a division of Pitney Bowes) markets the machine as the EvoluJet. I personally lean towards Ricoh since all but the engine is theirs, but we deal with MCS as well and they have never let us down. They have many other inkjet products so they are very familiar with inkjet technology. Both Ricoh and MCS cater to production environments and understand the critical nature of uptime in print-for-pay. Kyocera understands at the top, but it may take some time before it trickles down to the network of dealers who deal mostly with office machines. BlueCrest caters more to in-house.

One other interesting fact about the machine is that the rated (and marketed) speed is 146 ipm for 8.5x11. However, the speed of 11x17 is 86 ipm, giving you 172 8.5x11 ipm running 2up.

 

[Shawnd]

I had looked at it before I went with the 7200e, the numbers did not work out for me since we do a lot more 11x17+ than 8.5x11, if you are doing statement work and only print COLOR 8.5x11 then you might be able to make it work with VOLUME.

 

[gregbatch]

I had looked at it before I went with the 7200e, the numbers did not work out for me since we do a lot more 11x17+ than 8.5x11, if you are doing statement work and only print COLOR 8.5x11 then you might be able to make it work with VOLUME.

Were you looking at it with a bulk ink system or just the cartridges?

 

[Shawnd]

I was working off of MCS's Merlin numbers, can't remember if it was bulk or not as it was a year or two ago. But the fact it can't do 12x18 or 13x19 was a real deal breaker.

 

[SBS_Kev]

I was working off of MCS's Merlin numbers, can't remember if it was bulk or not as it was a year or two ago. But the fact it can't do 12x18 or 13x19 was a real deal breaker.

Sounds like the MCS rep just didn't know what he/she was talking about. The Pro 15000c can feed both 12x18 and 13x19. The Standard 500 sheet Trays can store up to 12x18. The MP Tray/Vac Feed LCT can do 13x19.

 

[Shawnd]

Sounds like the MCS rep just didn't know what he/she was talking about. The Pro 15000c can feed both 12x18 and 13x19. The Standard 500 sheet Trays can store up to 12x18. The MP Tray/Vac Feed LCT can do 13x19.

The key word is feed, but can it print on 13x19?

I do see the Evolujet says it can print on max of 12x18, I don't see that for the MCS Merlin.

 

[SBS_Kev]

The key word is feed, but can it print on 13x19?

I do see the Evolujet says it can print on max of 12x18, I don't see that for the MCS Merlin.

I see what you mean. Here's what's published on my side of things:

So it looks like Max. Image Size is about 12.68"x18.44" if printing on 13"x19.2".

I can't imagine it would be any different if it's boxed as Kyocera, Copystar, Ricoh, MCS, or BlueCrest.

 

[gregbatch]

I see what you mean. Here's what's published on my side of things:

View attachment 291037

So it looks like Max. Image Size is about 12.68"x18.44" if printing on 13"x19.2".

I can't imagine it would be any different if it's boxed as Kyocera, Copystar, Ricoh, MCS, or BlueCrest.

I do recall seeing a mention somewhere that max duplex size is 12x18. A bit odd, but for the type of work we do that isn't an issue. Currently we are printing personalization on 60#/70# 4/4 offset shells provided by the client. We want to do the whole piece digitally from white paper. Good for us because we don't have to deal with the crap produced by some printers, and we have a new profit center. Good for the client because they don't have to worry about over or under runs of shells, and we can produce the personalized piece for less than the cost of offset shells and laser personalization. Especially when you cut out the waste. The image quality is as good as any offset shell we receive. The $200,000 price tag is a big nut to crack, but it's not as bad as toner with a small nut and a cost per click that won't go down with volume.

 

[toddanderson1970]

The machine paper size max 12x18 single, duplex if you add the side air feed paper deck
That will print 13x19 but will not duplex 13x19 only single side.
There is a new version machine coming out soon my Kyocera contact said 15050c.
I am going to wait on the new version models talk to Ricoh and MCS.
As the more people I talked at Kyocera, Kyocera does not have a production support group in place
They are just cross training desktop printer support people.

 

[rogue]

I am looking for any feedback on the Kyocera 15000c Taskalfa Pro inkjet
It's been out around two years. Kyocera first production machine. I have been shopping for a inkjet cutsheet. One of my friends has one 15000c, he likes the machine but I guess the support he gets from Kyocera is poor. They had a direct Kyocera Rep come in System Support Engineer (SSE) that seemed to know very little about the machine. The Kyocera rep said they don’t have dedicated technical Production reps and he works on everything from a $500 printer all through to production machines and document management, from what I here he works on ever single thing Kyocera sells. He said Kyocera has one dedicated production guy for the entire country. We are just a small shop, the 15000c would be a big expense for us. I am worried that Kyocera does not have dedicated technical production technical reps to support the product.

If that’s the case, I wouldn’t touch it. You need experienced dedicated techs in the high speed digital production world. Especially in inkjet.

 

[NorbertK]

If that’s the case, I wouldn’t touch it. You need experienced dedicated techs in the high speed digital production world. Especially in inkjet.

Sorry for the late Reply, i just joined this Forum.
Inkjet technology is far simpler than Toner, less parts and maintenance required. All Engineer are trained by Kyocera (not third Party !)
and the Inkjet-Head's are in the Market since 2008 , build in Canon, Xerox and other Inkjet devices.
So Kyocera has a lot of experience and therefore also quarantees a 60 Month lifetime and free of charge exchange of his Heads.
By the Way there are more than 200 Taskalfa Pro 15000c installed meanwhile.

 

[toddanderson1970]

Sorry for the late Reply, i just joined this Forum.
Inkjet technology is far simpler than Toner, less parts and maintenance required. All Engineer are trained by Kyocera (not third Party !)
and the Inkjet-Head's are in the Market since 2008 , build in Canon, Xerox and other Inkjet devices.
So Kyocera has a lot of experience and therefore also quarantees a 60 Month lifetime and free of charge exchange of his Heads.
By the Way there are more than 200 Taskalfa Pro 15000c installed meanwhile.

The original poster
Was commenting on how Kyocera does not have a dedicated
Technical support team for production.
Their regional support SSE works on everything from A4 printers to production.
Which seems ridiculous. Kyocera needs a dedicated technical production team.
It seems like they have not invested in staffing the production technical support side.

 

[gregbatch]

Go with Ricoh. Everything but the engine is theirs anyway.