According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of optimizing an electro-photographic reproduction machine having a fusing subsystem and an air knife. The methods acquire at least one electro-photographic reproduction machine objective and media characteristic; and the acquired objective and characteristic are used to determine values for the pressurized air emitted from the air knife, the position of the air knife, and the rotation of the air knife relative to a fuse roll in the fusing subsystem. The methods further disclose acquiring the leading edge of the media being stripped and then using the beam strength of the media to assist in stripping the body of the sheet. The air knife can be controlled by a controller or a processor based on determined optimization parameter values that relate to objectives and media characteristics.