Device (1,21,41,51,61) for folding an instrument tray (20,40,50,60) into a packaging material (19,49,59,69), comprising: - a supporting surface (2,22,31a,31b,31c,42,52,62) for supporting the instrument tray (20,40,50,60) during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material (19,49,59,69); - a first folding plate (3,23,43,53,63) which is movable between o a second position in which the first folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a first intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the first intersection line, - a second folding plate (4,24,44,54,64) which is movable between o a second position in which the second folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a second intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the second intersection line, - wherein the first intersection line and the second intersection line are substantially parallel to each other; - a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold; - at least one movable clamp (8,9) for gripping and moving the packaging material; a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp (8,9), wherein the first and/or second folding plate are arranged so as to be translatable relative to the supporting surface. - a supporting surface (2,22,31a,31b,31c,42,52,62) for supporting the instrument tray (20,40,50,60) during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material (19,49,59,69); - a first folding plate (3,23,43,53,63) which is movable between o a second position in which the first folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a first intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the first intersection line, o a second position in which the first folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a first intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the first intersection line, - a second folding plate (4,24,44,54,64) which is movable between o a second position in which the second folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a second intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the second intersection line, o a second position in which the second folding plate extends substantially perpendicularly to the supporting surface and thus has a second intersection line with the supporting surface for forming a limit stop against the movement of the instrument tray; and o a first position in which the supporting surface is free and flat at the level of the second intersection line, - wherein the first intersection line and the second intersection line are substantially parallel to each other; - a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold; - at least one movable clamp (8,9) for gripping and moving the packaging material; a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp (8,9), wherein the first and/or second folding plate are arranged so as to be translatable relative to the supporting surface.