Multifunctional gateway unit, production system and method for operating a production system

A method for operating a production system comprising an apparatus and a multifunctional gateway unit, the apparatus being configured to be used for machining, handling or storing workpieces that include at least in portions of wood, wooden materials, or plastic, the multifunctional gateway unit being configured to connect the apparatus to a data server and comprising (i) at least one data interface for connecting the multifunctional gateway unit to a data server, (ii) at least one computing unit which comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and is configured to interchange data with the at least one data interface, (iii) at least one sensor interface which is configured to receive data from a sensor, which is associated with an apparatus, and to forward the data from the sensor to the at least one computing unit, and (iv) at least one output interface which is configured to receive data from the at least one computing unit and to forward the data from the at least one computing unit to at least one unit of the apparatus, wherein the method comprises:

• coupling the multifunctional gateway unit to the apparatus via at least one of the at least one sensor interface and the at least one output interface;
• and
• coupling the multifunctional gateway unit to the data server via the at least one data interface and via the Internet;
• wherein before the coupling of the multifunctional gateway unit to the apparatus, one or more of the following operations are carried out:
• the multifunctional gateway unit identifies at least one of the sensor of the apparatus to be coupled and the at least one unit of the apparatus to be coupled;
• the multifunctional gateway unit checks whether an object is present in the multifunctional gateway unit configured for communication with at least one of the sensor of the apparatus to be coupled and the at least one unit of the apparatus to be coupled;
• if the object is present, coupling between the sensor of the apparatus to be coupled or the at least one unit of the apparatus to be coupled, and the multifunctional gateway unit is established using the object;
• or
• if no object is present, another object is obtained via the at least one data interface, and subsequently coupling between the sensor of the apparatus to be coupled or the at least one unit of the apparatus to be coupled, and the multifunctional gateway unit is established using the obtained another object.