Patent ID: 8804142

Claim:
A method for operating a print processing machine having a gross capacity (BP), a net capacity (NP), and a number (N) of devices in communication with the print processing machine, wherein the number (N) of devices restrict the gross capacity (BP) of the print processing machine, the method comprising: computing the net capacity (NP) by a processing module, wherein the net capacity (NP) is computed as a function of the gross capacity (BP), the number (N) of devices, a stop rate (SR), a time interval for each stop (TN) and an error rate (FR) according to the following formula: NP=[ 1−( BP·SR·N·TN )]· BP −( BP·FR·N ), wherein the stop rate (SR) and the error rate (FR) depend at least partially on the number (N) of devices or the gross capacity (BP); receiving, by the processing module, limit values for errors contained in at least one of the stop rate (SR) or the error rate (FR); determining, by the processing module, a maximum value for the net capacity (NP) by varying the gross capacity (BP) or the number (N) of devices without exceeding the limit values; deriving a maximum gross capacity and maximum number of devices that correspond to the determined maximum value for the net capacity (NP); determining, by the processing module, changes to the gross capacity (BP) or the number (N) of devices by comparing the maximum gross capacity and maximum number of devices to a current work order; and adjusting the gross capacity (BP) or the number (N) of devices according to the determined changes.