Users slot the plate into MB's Prestige FoldNet 52 folder, which instantly recognises its position on the machine.

It then asks the operator to select the type of fold and paper size on the folder's touch-screen control panel.

The plate, which carries all its own electronics, including the control box and photocell, then automatically works out the timing and roller pressure necessary.

"Manual setting of roller pressures can be a tricky game, but with this you just tell it that you want a gatefold and this plate does the rest for you," said Encore Machinery managing director Mike Biggs.

"If you are someone who knows anything about gatefolding, it will knock your socks off. It's completely unique," he said.

"I was in Germany last week and saw it in action, and just said 'wow'. The operator dropped it into the machine and the output was perfect from the first fold, which is almost completely unheard of with gatefold."

No price has yet been set for the folding plate, which is available now and is retrofittable to the Prestige FoldNet 52, but Biggs said that the cost would be "similar" to MB's existing gatefold plate.