Method for controlling and operating a production cell, and a control device

A method for controlling and operating a production cell which includes at least a portion of peripheral devices associated with the production cell, comprising the steps of:

• generating, administering and executing, with a domain language, machine sequences based on machine control components, which are part of a domain model, and
• generating or altering a machine control component that is part of the domain model by
• selecting a machine control component from a set of predetermined component types,
• allocating a permissible technology from a set of technologies for the respective component type,
• storing for each technology of a component type a logic which includes connection interfaces required for the respective technology and defines the connection interfaces for the machine control component, and
• allocating the connection interfaces of the generated machine control component to suitable hardware inputs and outputs of existing connections of an injection molding machine or the production cell.

A device for controlling and operating a production cell, comprising:

• an operating device allowing an operator to define and parameterize a production sequence,
• a storage device, and
• a computer configured to
• receive a knowledge base and to generate on the operating device an image of at least a portion of devices existing on or being allocated to the production cell in a domain model in form of machine control components,
• generate, administer and execute machine sequences using a domain language, wherein a machine control component is newly generated or altered as part of the domain model,
• store in the storage device a set of predefined component types for selection of a new machine control component,
• store in the storage device for each component type a set of technologies adapted to be allocated to a machine control component of a component type,
• allocate a logic and interfaces required for each technology of a component type, and
• allocate hardware inputs and outputs of existing connections of the production cell to connection interfaces of generated machine control components.