Method, device, and computer-readable medium for determining and implementing changes in the machine settings of a print processing machine

An apparatus for determining and implementing changes in machine settings of a print processing machine operating with a gross capacity (BP), a net capacity (NP), and a number (N) of print devices for further processing of printed products, wherein the number (N) of devices restrict the gross capacity (BP) of the print processing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• a communications interface in communication with a main control unit, wherein the main control unit communicates with the print processing machine and with the devices for further processing of printed products;
• a data processing module in communication with the communications interface, the data processing module operable to perform the following:
• compute the net capacity (NP) 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 on the number (N) of devices or the gross capacity (BP);
• receive limit values for errors contained in the stop rate (SR), the error rate (FR), or both the stop rate (SR) and the error rate (FR);
• determine 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;
• derive a maximum gross capacity and maximum number of devices that correspond to the determined maximum value for the net capacity (NP);
• determine 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
• wherein the main control unit adjusts the gross capacity (BP) of the print processing machine or the number (N) of devices according to the determined changes.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform operations 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 computer-readable medium comprising instructions for:

• computing the net capacity (NP) 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 limit values for errors contained in the stop rate (SR), the error rate (FR), or both the stop rate (SR) and the error rate (FR);
• determining 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);
• and
• determining 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.