Today, folding machines are already producing autonomously and the physically strenuous task of stacking the folded signatures is handled by the CoBo-Stack robot from MBO. But there is currently no talk of a completely automated finishing line. For example, who will take care of signature change or fold quality control?
Autonomous Folding
With these two highlights – automatic signature change and automatic fold quality control – this finishing solution is the safest, most efficient and most productive folding machine set-up in the world. Work that used to be performed by the operator is now automated. Human error is now a thing of the past and the operator can attend to other work or even operate two folding machines simultaneously.

Automatic signature change with the Autopilot
The Autopilot works with a camera at the palletized feeder and processes the information from the MBO Datamanager in combination with an MIS system. The camera reads a data code that was printed on the signature in advance. Each signature gets its own code. If the signature changes, production is briefly interrupted. The A80 delivery system is informed of the signature change by Autopilot and automatically places the new signature on a new pallet using the CoBo-Stack. This prevents mixing of the folded signatures and automatically saves the counter readings. More information: MBO Autopilotread more
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Automatic fold quality control
The VT50 fold quality control system is unique on the market. Monitoring takes place directly behind the folding machine. Two cameras measure the folding tolerances of the folded sheets. These tolerances can be set by the customer to fit the specific job. Incorrectly folded sheets or sheets not within the tolerance range are ejected from the outlet of the VT50. This ensures that only perfectly folded sheets are transferred to the subsequent delivery system. More information: MBO Fold Quality Controlread more
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Honoured with EDP Award
MBO won the EDP Award 2021 in the “Finishing” category with its Autonomous Production Line. The jury of the European Digital Press Association (EDP) is made up of 21 trade journals from 27 European countries. The award stands for innovation and quality, as it is given out based on criteria such as degree of innovation, quality, costs and performance – and not on popularity. The EDP Commission press release states: “The logo of the EDP Awards stands for innovation and quality, offering orientation and providing a neutral recommendation for purchase decisions of users.”read more
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Related links
Here you can learn more about the individual components of MBO's autonomous finishing line:
MBO Autopilot
More information
MBO K8RS
Combi folding machine
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MBO K8
Combi folding machine
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MBO VT50
Fold quality control
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MBO A80
Stacking delivery
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MBO CoBo-Stack
Stacking robot
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Contact
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