Production module for performing a production function on a product

A production module for performing a production function on a product, comprising:

• a memory device which stores or can store a piece of self-description information regarding properties of the production module including (i) a piece of configuration information regarding at least one of a situation and an embodiment of the production module, (ii) a piece of capability information regarding available functions and services of the production module, said piece of capability information comprising a piece of information about the production function, (iii) a piece of instruction information regarding instructions executable by the production module and adjustable parameters and (iv) a piece of state information regarding an operating state of the production module;
• wherein the production module is configured to ascertain a shared three-dimensional interaction area with a second production module coupled to the production module;
• wherein the second production module is configured to perform a second production function on the product;
• and
• wherein the shared three-dimensional interaction area of the production modules is configured such that the production function of the production module and the second production function of the second production module can influence the product when said product is located in the interaction area.

A method for coupling a first production module to a second production module, the first production module being configured to perform a first production function on a product and the second production module being configured to perform a second production function on the product, and the first production module storing a first piece of self-description information regarding properties of the first production module including status information and the second production module storing a second piece of self-description information regarding properties of the second production module including (i) a piece of configuration information regarding at least one of a situation and an embodiment of the production module, (ii) a piece of capability information regarding available functions and services of the production module, said piece of capability information comprising a piece of information about the production function, (iii) a piece of instruction information regarding instructions executable by the production module and adjustable parameters and (iv) a piece of state information regarding an operating state of the production module, the method comprising:

• coupling the first and second production modules;
• transmitting the second piece of self-description information of the second production module to the first production module including (i) the piece of configuration information regarding at least one of the situation and the embodiment of the production module, (ii) the piece of capability information regarding available functions and services of the production module, said piece of capability information comprising the piece of information about the production function, (iii) the piece of instruction information regarding instructions executable by the production module and adjustable parameters and (iv) the piece of state information regarding the operating state of the production module;
• and
• ascertaining a first piece of port information regarding the coupling to the second production module via the first production module and storing the first piece of port information in the first production module;
• wherein said ascertaining at least one of (i) the first and (ii) second piece of port information comprises ascertaining a piece of information about a three-dimensional interaction area of the first production module with the second production module;
• and
• wherein the interaction area is configured such that the first production function of the first production module and the second production function of the second production module can influence the product when said product is located in the interaction area.