Munich-based manroland web subsidiary grapho metronic is expanding its activities outside printing with new partnerships.

Having previously-focussed on automated camera technology for printing, the company has reorientated itself in recent years, and reports a "greatly successful" development partnerships in laser-welding robotics.

Development partnerships for generic imaging system models and optical measuring systems are helping new partners start and expand projects. Solutions for process control of laser welding using innovative camera technology resulted from a 2016 contract with a Japanese market leader.

The company says more partnerships are planned in sectors such as special purpose machinery manufacturing, carbon technology and lightweight construction or "organic and printed electronic" components.

"Development partnerships are medium and long-term shared projects," says managing director Manuel Kosok. "Both partners act equally and benefit from the extensive experience of the counterpart.

"We don't want ready-made products - we offer our partners the best systems, specifically tailored to their requirements, and provide a real added value for the Industry 4.0."

grapho metronic was established in 1967 to focus on automation and stabilisation of web offset printing, and was acquired by manroland in 1992.