M Partners, Hackbridge, Surrey, United Kingdom, has announced the signing of a distribution agreement with equipment manufacturer Mabeg Systems GmbH for the German company’s offline print inspection systems.

Known throughout the industry for its high-quality sheet feeders and other products like sheet stackers, reel sheeters and components found on a great many printing presses and other machines in the graphic arts industry, Mabeg also produces a range of inspection systems. The agreement between Mabeg and M Partners covers an exclusive agency for the MSP Automatic Sheet Inspection and MBP Blank Inspection systems in both UK and Ireland.

Commenting on the appointment of M Partners by Mabeg, Murray Lock, Joint Managing Director, said: “We see the inspection systems as niche products for a small number of sectors where 100% quality is an absolute essential. Whilst currency, passport and stamp production would be obvious examples, there are many areas of the packaging market that also fall into this area, such as pharmaceutical packaging producers and high-end cosmetics carton suppliers. We also have to include cheque book printers and security print of all types, as they all need to provide highly accurate stacks of printed sheets prior to post-press operations. In many instances the checking of printed sheets is still being carried out by human eye – a slow, expensive and far less precise solution.”

The MSP automatic sheet inspection system checks and sorts printed sheets much more thoroughly and faster than the human eye and without any additional personnel costs. Sheets are guided quickly and safely through the entire machine without any marking.

Many modules can be added to the basic machine for specific types of operation. These can include:

Inspection: Equipped with an inspection system, the Mabeg MSP can scan one side or both sides of a sheet for defects and check the position of the printing image on the sheet. These checks need not be restricted to print-technical criteria – positioning of labels for instance, or invisible security elements can be checked as well.

Labelling
For application of all kind of labels including RF and security labels.

Marking / Printing: If an inkjet system is integrated, variable print information can be added. Sorted
flawed sheets can be diverted and delivered to a separate stack.

Counting: After sorting, the number of good sheets and rejects can be determined by a counter.

MSP Inspection systems can handle sheets up to a maximum of 1060 x 830 mm (optional 1200 and 1450 mm) from a minimum size of just 300 x 300 mm.

MBP Inspection systems focus on cut-out individual product blanks which can be checked prior to final assembly or gluing, as typical with carton production. MBP systems can run at up to 40,000 products per hour. These systems can handle products up to a maximum of 500 x 400 mm.

“We see great potential at the high-end of the print market for these products. Demand is there – we are already aware of a number of potential customers keen to see the Mabeg solution in action,” added Murray Lock. This can be done at MABEG’s new demo facility which is convenient next to Frankfurt Main International Airport.

About M Partners

In 2010 M Partners took on the management of both sales and service for Mitsubishi Litho Presses in the UK and Ireland. This representation joins established products such as GUK folding and inserting equipment, and Steinemann laminating products. More recently, 2011 has seen the business expand into the digital market following an announcement regarding MGI digital printing and finishing equipment, and the quality control market with the additional of Mabeg inspection systems to the product line-up.
M Partners offers manufacturers considerable marketing and business expertise across both the printing and packaging sectors and provides high-quality national coverage for sales, support and technical service.

The Joint Managing Directors established M Partners Ltd in 2006 after gaining many years of industry experience in senior management roles at a major press manufacturer and used equipment dealer. They were responsible for corporate and product marketing for prepress, press, post press and service, plus operational control for digital, consumables and used equipment divisions.

Shake hand after signing the agreement. Front: Jens Gebel (CEO MABEG, left) and Mark Stribley (Director of M Partners) shaking hands: “Great opportunity for a joint future”. Standing from left to right: Michael Gruebel (CFO MABEG), Dr. Daniel Burkhardt (Sales Director MABEG) and Murray Lock (Director M Partners).

Expecting a lot of interested visitor in the new MABEG Demo Facility near Frankfut Main International Airport (from left to right): Dr. Daniel Burkhardt (Sales Director MABEG), Jens Gebel (CEO MABEG,) Murray Lock (Director M Partners), Hans-Dieter Hoffmann (Sales Director Vision Experts), Mark Stribley (Director M Partners) and Michael Gruebel (CFO MABEG).