Digital BW, The Print

Austin, it's just a fact of life. Different drviers, RIPs, whatever 
tend to create different max densities when sent 100%k. It's 
consistant, not just paper batch or whatever. Even the most vilified 
driver, the Epson RGB driver, puts down different black max densities 
when sent 100%K simply by selecting a different media setting.
Good RIPs have ink limit controls as well.
And I'm not talking about UCA or a rich black, just straight 100%K, no 
CMY.
You could argue about how or why or whether or not it's a good thing, 
but not about the fact that it's happenning.
Tyler