sixteen in number the machine station 3 also possesses in addition to the input for the measurement signals from the measuring member 1 an input for signals fed by way of a line 5 from a production sensor not shown which serves to record speed as well as running and stopping times this recording takes place by monitoring the rotational speed of a shaft such as for example a delivery cylinder or calendar that rotates in proportion to the production speed the signals from the production sensor likewise pass via the machine station 3 into the processor 4 which calculates quality and production data from the measured values recorded for the individual deliveries compares this data with limit values set by the user and if a limit value is exceeded activates the competent machine station 3 whereupon the latter initiates a corresponding action this action is either the activation of a warning lamp 6 in the event of minor albeit acceptable faults or by way of a line 7 the emission of a stop signal for stopping the machine in the event of serious faults as illustrated each machine station 1 also has stop connections 8 for automatically recording the cause of a standstill by means of machine signals and a connection for a so called numerical machine terminal 9 the latter device is an input and output station via which various codes can be input and data retrieved the processor 4 is connected to a central unit 10 the essential functions of which are to interrogate the processors.