A sheet processing machine for the processing of sheets of paper, cardboard, and the like, includes at least one processing station, one delivery unit, one sheet transport system including circulating gripper carts, which are driven by individually actuated linear drives, a machine control system and braking devices located in the entry zone of processing stations. The back edge of the respective sheet at its stop position in the delivery unit and/or the at least one processing station lies directly above the back edge of the delivery stack and/or the back edge of a tool or die of the processing station.