Automation device, function module, method, computer program product and storage medium

Abstract

An automation device (1) for executing a process flow, the automation device (1) having at least one function module (3) for executing process steps (9a, 9b) of the process flow, wherein the function module (3) has at least one object interface (4a, 4b) and module data (7); the automation device (1) having a transport device (5) for transferring an object (2a, 2b) to the object interface (4a, 4b) and / or for receiving the object (2a, 2b) from the object interface (4a, 4b); the automation device (1) having a control device (6) for controlling the function module (3) based on a process flow diagram (8); characterized in that the control device (6) is configured to parameterize the process flow diagram (8) based on the module data (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automation device having the features according to the invention, as well as to a functional module, a method, a computer program and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In process automation, modular structures with process modules are used not only in production but also for measuring and inspection tasks. As innovation cycles are becoming faster and faster, this modular structure has to be frequently modified. Even if a single module fails, the device must be replaced and frequently reprogrammed.

[0003] The publication DE 10 2016 204 174 A1, which perhaps forms the closest prior art, describes an automation device having at least one functional module and having at least one evaluation unit. The functional module can be arranged in the device area, wherein the functional module has a sensor unit for recording surrounding data. The evaluation unit is designed to determine the absolute position of the functional module based on the surrounding data. Summary of the invention

[0004] Within the scope of the invention, an automation device having the features according to the invention is proposed. Furthermore, a functional module having the features according to the invention, a method having the features according to the invention, a computer program having the features according to the invention and a storage medium having the features according to the invention are proposed. Preferred and / or advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen from the description and the attached figures.

[0005] An automation device for executing a process is proposed. The automation device is in particular a production automation device or an automation device for measuring and testing technology. With the help of the automation device, a product can be manufactured or an object can be inspected and / or processed in a process. The process comprises at least one process step. The process is, for example, a manufacturing process of a workpiece, an inspection process and / or a processing process of an object. The process can have a plurality of process steps, wherein the process steps are executed successively (in particular in an orderly sequence) for executing the process.

[0006] The automation device comprises at least one functional module for executing a process step of a process flow. In particular, the automation device may comprise exactly one, two or ten functional modules. These functional modules may be constructed in the same or different manners. In particular, the automation device may have a plurality of functional modules, which are constructed so as to execute the same process step. The process step is, for example, a processing step or a measuring step. For example, the process step is drilling, sawing, measuring an electrical parameter or commutating an electrical parameter. The functional module is preferably an electromechanical object. The functional module has at least one function and / or capability, wherein the function and / or capability is particularly necessary for executing the process step, or is constructed for executing the process step. The combination of a plurality of functional modules in the automation device particularly allows the implementation of complex workflows and / or process flows. The functional modules may be arranged in particular in the device area. Preferably, the functional modules are constructed to interact with each other. It is particularly preferred that these functional modules form fixed functional modules.

[0007] The function module has at least one object interface. The object interface is configured to receive and / or transfer an object. For example, an object can be received, held and / or transported at the object interface. The object is in particular a workpiece. Preferably, the object is provided to the function module at the object interface. The function module has module data. The module data is in particular stored in the function module in a data technology manner. The module data is specifically stored permanently in the function module, for example, the module data stored by the manufacturer. The module data preferably has information about the function module and / or can characterize the function module. For example, the module data includes the following information: which type of function module is involved, for example, a processing module or an inspection module.

[0008] The automation device has a transport device. The transport device is designed to transfer objects to the object interface and / or to receive objects, in particular processed objects or workpieces, from the object interface. For example, the transport device provides objects to a functional module, wherein the objects are processed by the functional module, wherein the processed objects (e.g. workpieces) are transported away from the functional module by means of the transport device. The transport device can represent a conveyor belt, a linear unit or a robot unit. The transport device is especially designed to guide objects to the object interface in a targeted manner and / or to transport objects out of the object interface in a targeted and / or controlled manner.

[0009] The automation device has a control device for controlling the functional modules. The control device is in particular a global control device of the automation device. For example, the control device is a processor, a microchip or a computer unit. In particular, the control device is provided with module data of the functional modules. For example, the functional modules are connected to the control device in a data-technical manner for this purpose. The manipulation and / or control of the functional modules by means of the control device is in particular based on a process flow chart. The process flow chart is, for example, a program. The process flow chart takes into account, for example, the sequence of process steps to be performed. In the process flow chart, the process flow is represented in particular in the form of functions and / or in the form of functional modules. For example, what is stored in the process flow chart is that in a first step, an object is sawed using a saw as a functional module; and in a second process step, the sawn object is further processed using other functional modules, wherein, for example, the sawn object is transported from the first functional module to the other functional modules by means of a transport device.

[0010] The control device is configured to parameterize the process flow diagram based on the module data. The process flow diagram includes parameters, for example. For example, the parameters of the process flow diagram are one and / or more functional modules to be used, wherein the parameters are, for example, placeholders for process steps of functions and / or functional modules. The parameters of the process flow diagram can also be the required object interfaces. The control device is configured to assign module data and / or information from the module data to the parameters of the process flow diagram. With the help of the module data assigned to the parameters of the process flow diagram, the process flow diagram for executing the process flow using the functional modules can be used to control the functional modules.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing a highly flexible automation device for executing a process sequence. In particular, a function module can be easily replaced because the process flow diagram can be re-parameterized with the aid of the module data of the newly integrated function module and can thus immediately become part of the process sequence. After the process flow diagram is in particular part of the control device and the module data are stored in the function module, a flexible and modular automation device can thus be provided.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that the module data include functional information of the functional module. For example, the functional information is information about the following process steps: the process steps can be performed with the help of the functional module. In particular, the module data include the name of the functional module. For example, the name of the functional module is saw, drill, multimeter. In particular, the name of the functional module can be assigned a type identification code, for example, a coding. It is particularly preferred that the name of the functional module is always assigned the same type of functional information. For example, each saw can include "sawing" as functional information, each drill can include the functional information "drilling a hole", and each multimeter can include the information "resistance measurement". The parameters of the process flow chart include, for example, the name and / or functional information. For example, the process flow chart parameter is drilling a hole in an object, wherein the control device is constructed to select the following functional module: the functional module has the functional information "drilling a hole" in the module data.

[0013] In particular, it is provided that the module data include an object interface orientation. Preferably, the object interface orientation is an intrinsic object interface orientation within the function module. For example, the object interface orientation reproduces the orientation of the object interface in the function module in Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin, wherein the origin is, for example, a fixed point of the function module in the area of ​​the device. The control device is designed, for example, to control and / or coordinate the transfer of the object from the transport device to the object interface by means of the module data including the object interface orientation.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the module data includes information about the type of the function module. In particular, the same type of function information and / or object interface orientation is assigned to each type and / or type category of function modules within the automation device. For example, the same number of other module data and / or parameters of the module data are assigned to each type of function module. In particular, the same name of the other module data and / or the same name of the parameter of the function module are assigned to each type of function module. This construction scheme is based on the following considerations: in this way, the process flow chart is parameterizable by utilizing type parameterization and / or by calling the type of the function module. By using other module data with the same name for a type of function module, and / or by using the same number of other module data and / or parameters, the remaining and / or other required parameters can be simply and accurately parameterized by calling the type when parameterizing the process flow chart. For example, a function module of this type is a saw, wherein the function module of this type "saw" then has as further module data an object interface orientation for receiving objects, i.e. a saw blade position, and a transfer interface for transferring processed objects, so that when the process flow diagram is parameterized, when the type "saw" is called, the object interface can be directly actuated by means of a transport device and the object can be sawed at the correct position. The design concept is based on the idea that simple parameterization of the automation system can be achieved.

[0015] Optionally, it is provided that in the module data, function parameters are assigned to the functions and / or the function information. In particular, the same number and / or the same type of function parameters are always assigned to the functions. Function parameters are in particular parameters necessary for executing the functions and / or process steps. In particular, a function is a process step that can be executed with the aid of a function module. For example, the function parameters of the "drilling" function are the drilling position, the hole depth and / or the relative distance from the object interface orientation. This construction concept is based on the idea that with the aid of the function parameters assigned to the functions, it is possible to process the object and / or execute a process step or a technological process precisely and / or in a controlled manner.

[0016] It is particularly preferred that the functional module has at least two object interfaces. In particular, the functional module can have exactly two, three, four or ten object interfaces. It is particularly provided that one of the object interfaces forms a receiving interface for receiving objects from a transport device, wherein other object interfaces in the object interface form a handover interface for handing over processed objects to the transport device. For example, processing is performed between the receiving interface and the handover interface, in particular, processing is performed using process steps. The control device can be configured to control the transport device. For example, the control device controls the transport device, provides the functional module with an object at the receiving interface, and / or takes out the processed object from the handover interface of the functional module, and / or further transports the processed object. It is particularly preferred that the handover interface of the first functional module is connected and / or mutually influenced with the receiving interfaces of other functional modules, wherein the connection is performed, for example, by means of a transport device.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the function module is designed to send module data to the control device. In particular, the function module is designed to send module data to the control device at regular intervals (e.g. periodically, preferably at minute intervals). Optionally, it is provided that the function module sends module data to the control device when it is started (in particular when initialized). The embodiment is based on the idea that the control device is designed in such a way that it can react quickly to adaptations and / or modifications in the automation system, for example, it can recognize that a function module has been replaced and / or substituted by another function module and can integrate the new function module into the process. In particular, the replaced function module is integrated during the operation of the process.

[0018] It is optionally provided that the control device includes a process flow as an administration shell. In particular, the digital twin can also be understood as an administration shell. The administration shell includes, in particular, a manifest and a component manager. The manifest preferably includes meta-information, which provides information about the functionality and / or non-functional properties of the functional modules. The component manager is, for example, an organizer of self-management and access to functional modules. The construction scheme is based on the idea that a technically stable and at the same time simple implementation of the control device can be achieved.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that the automation device has at least two function modules with the same function and / or has at least two function modules that are designed to execute the same process step. For example, the automation device includes two function modules that can realize drilling. The control device here has in particular a selection module. The selection module is designed to select a selected function module for executing a process step. For example, in particular as a parameter, a process flow diagram sets a process step, and the automation device has at least two function modules that can realize the process step, so that the selection module is designed to select one of the two function modules and parameterize the process flow diagram using the module data of the selected function module.

[0020] Optionally, it is provided that the selection of the selected functional modules by the selection of the modules is based on an effectiveness evaluation. For example, the selection is based on an overall equipment effectiveness method. In this case, the selection of the selected functional modules is supported, for example, based on efficiency parameters or optimization parameters, such as which of the functional modules with the same function works faster and / or more accurately. The embodiment is based on the idea of ​​providing an automation device which, when the automation device is reorganized and / or rebuilt with functional modules, relieves the user from the burden of selecting the correct functional modules.

[0021] Optionally, it is provided that the control device has stored information about the parameters required and / or to be retrieved for the type of function module and / or for the function of the function module. For example, the control device knows which parameters and / or module data are to be retrieved and / or which parameters and / or module data are required for parameterizing the process sequence for each type of function module of the automation system. In particular, information about the names and / or designations of the parameters required and / or to be retrieved is stored.

[0022] Function modules form a further subject of the invention. The function modules are in particular function modules of an automation device, as described above. The function modules are designed to execute process steps. The process steps can in particular be part of a larger process flow of a plurality of function modules. The function modules have at least one object interface. In addition, the function modules include module data, wherein the module data include, for example, function information, object interface orientation and / or information about the type of the function module. The function modules are in particular designed to provide the module data in a data technology manner, for example to provide the module data in a data technology manner to a control device.

[0023] A method for executing a process flow forms a further subject of the invention. The process flow preferably has a plurality of process steps. The process steps are executed, for example, using function modules. The function module has an object interface and module data. By means of a transport device, an object is provided to the object interface and / or an object is received from the object interface. By means of a control device, the function module is controlled based on a process flow diagram. The process flow diagram is in particular a parameterized process flow diagram. The function module provides the module data to the control device. The control device parameterizes the process flow diagram based on the module data, for example extracting from the module data all parameters for executing the process flow according to the process flow diagram.

[0024] A computer program for carrying out the method described above forms a further subject of the invention. In particular, the computer program is designed to carry out all the steps of the method when it is executed on a computer unit or a data processing device. In particular, the computer program can be implemented on a functional module and / or on an automation device.

[0025] A machine-readable storage medium forms a further subject of the invention.On a machine-readable storage medium, a computer program as previously described is stored. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages, effects and embodiments of the present invention can be found in the attached figures and their description.

[0027] Figure 1 An automation device as an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 shows the schematic structure of module data;

[0029] Figure 3 An example process flow is schematically shown;

[0030] Figure 4 An embodiment of a functional module having module data is shown;

[0031] Figure 5 The process flow is schematically shown as an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 An automation device 1 is shown. The automation device 1 is a device for producing workpieces. The automation device 1 can be part of a production chain. For example, the automation device 1 is a section of a production station. With the aid of the automation device 1, two processed objects 2b are produced from an object 2a. In particular, the processed objects 2b can form workpieces or be further processed into workpieces.

[0033] The automation device 1 has at least one functional module 3. The functional module 3 is designed to execute process steps. The functional module 3 forms, for example, a process station. The object 2a can be processed with the aid of the functional module 3. For example, the functional module 3 forms a saw, a drill or a welding device. The object 2a is sawn, screwed or welded. The process steps to be executed with the functional module 3 are in particular parts of a process flow. The process flow, for example, characterizes a manufacturing process of a workpiece.

[0034] The functional module 3 has two object interfaces 4a and 4b. In addition, the automation device 1 has a transport device 5. The transport device 5 is configured to transport the object 2 and / or the processed object 2b. For example, the transport device 5 forms a conveyor belt. Alternatively, the transport device 5 is configured as a robot that can transport the object 2a and / or 2b. With the help of the transport device 5, the object 2a is provided to the functional module 3. At the object interface 4a, the object 2a is provided to the functional module 3. The object interface 4a forms a receiving interface. At the receiving interface, the object 2a is handed over to the functional module 3, and from there, the object 2a is further processed and / or further transported in the functional module 3. After processing in the functional module 3, the processed object 2b is handed over to the transport device 5 at the object interface 4b. The object interface 4b forms a handover interface here. Starting from the handover interface 4b, the processed object 2b is further transported using the transport device 5.

[0035] The automation device 1 has a control device 6. The control device 6 has a process flow chart. The process flow chart reflects the process flow and the process steps for manufacturing the workpiece. The control device is used to control the function module 3 for executing the process steps. In addition, the control device 6 is used to control the transport device 5 for transporting the object 2a and / or 2b. In particular, the control device 6 is used to control the transport device 5 to transport the object 2a to the object interface 4a and to receive and transport the processed object 2b from the object interface 4b.

[0036] Function modules have module data 7 ( Figure 2 ). The control device 6 is provided with module data 7. The control device 6 is designed to parameterize the process flow diagram based on the module data 7 so that the function module 3 is controlled based on the module data 7 provided by the function module 3.

[0037] Figure 2 The structure of the module data 7 is shown as an example. The module data 7 is in particular in the form of a digital data packet. The module data 7 has type information t, wherein the type information t includes information about the type of the functional module. For example, the type information is information about which functional module and / or which type of functional module is involved. Figure 2 A functional module in is, for example, a saw, wherein the type information is then formed by the information “saw”.

[0038] Furthermore, the module data 7 includes functional information f. The functional information f includes information about the functions that the corresponding functional module 3 has. In particular, the functional information f includes information about the process steps that can be performed by the functional module 3. For the saw example selected here, the functional information f is formed by "sawing apart" the information.

[0039] Furthermore, the module data 7 have further parameters, which are also referred to as variables v. The variables v contain information required for running the functional module 3 and / or for implementing the function f. In the example selected, the variables here include two variables v1 and v2, where v1 is the object interface position of the receiving interface and the variable v2 is the object interface position of the handover interface.

[0040] Figure 3 The process flow chart is shown by way of example. The process flow chart comprises two process steps 9a and 9b. After process step 9a in time, process step 9b is performed. In addition, the process flow chart comprises three transport steps 10a, 10b and 10c. In the transport step 10a, the object 2a is led to the first functional module 3 by means of a transport device 5. The object 2a is handed over to the functional module 3, wherein the process step 9a is implemented after the handover by means of the functional module 3. The process step 9a comprises an action 11a here. The action 11a is, for example, sawing the objects 2a apart from each other. The objects sawn apart from each other form an intermediate object, which is handed over to the transport device 5, and in the transport step 10b, the intermediate object is transported from the first functional module 3 to the other functional modules 3. The intermediate product and / or intermediate object is handed over to the other functional modules 3, wherein the process step 9b is performed by means of the other functional modules 3. The process step 9b has two actions 11b and 11c. Actions 11b and 11c are performed using the same functional module 3, but are performed successively in time. For example, action 11b is drilling a first hole and action 11c is drilling a further hole, both actions using the same drill bit for drilling, wherein the further functional module 3 forms, for example, a drilling station. After the completion of process step 9b (here drilling two holes), the processed object 2b is handed over to the transport device 5 and is transported away in a transport step 10c. The processed object 2b is formed, for example, by an intermediate object provided with two holes. The process flow diagram is here particularly describable by means of process steps 9a, 9b, wherein process steps 9a, 9b each require a function and / or a type of functional module 3.

[0041] The process flow diagram can be stored, for example, in a parameterized form, wherein the process steps 9a, 9b are stored as parameters. The control device 6 is designed to parameterize and / or fill the process steps 9a, 9b stored as parameters with the aid of the module data 7 and / or based on the module data 7. For example, the control device 6 is designed to recognize that the process step 9a requires a saw, so that the control unit 6 is designed to select a functional module 3 that forms a saw and has the corresponding function f. The control unit 6 thus checks which type, which function and / or which variables are required for the process step 9 or the process flow diagram, and integrates this information there.

[0042] Figure 4 Four functional modules 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are shown as an example. Functional module 3a and functional module 3b each form a saw. Functional module 3c and functional module 3d each form a drill stand.

[0043] The functional module 3a is constructed as a saw table. As module data 7a, the functional module 3a includes ID 1. ID 1 is a reference for the functional module 3a to be controllable and / or callable in a data technology manner. For example, ID 1 includes the network address of the functional module 3a. In addition, the module data 7a has type information t. The type information t of the functional module 3a forms the information "saw". As functional information f, the module data 7a of the functional module 3a includes the information "saw open". In addition, the module data 7a includes two variables p1 and p2. The variable p1 forms the object interface orientation of the receiving interface. Point p1 is characterized by Cartesian coordinates X=1, Y=3 and Z=5 in this example. Variable p2 is here the object interface orientation of the handover interface. Point p2 is here defined by Cartesian coordinates X=1, Y=1 and Z=3.

[0044] The function module 3b also forms a saw. As module data 7b, the function module 3b has ID 2 as an identifier. ID 2 is, for example, a network identifier of the function module 3b. As type, the module data 7b has the information "saw", and as function information f, the module data 7b has the information "saw open". As variables, the module data 7b has points p1 and p2, wherein the points p1 and p2 here again form the object interface orientations of the handover interface and the receiving interface, respectively. Point p1 is described in this exemplary embodiment by the Cartesian coordinates X=5, Y=10 and Z=4. Point p2 of the handover interface is described in this exemplary embodiment by the Cartesian coordinates X=1, Y=1 and Z=1.

[0045] Functional module 3c forms a drilling stand which is configured to drill a hole in an object. Functional module 3c has ID 3 as module data 7c. ID 3 is configured to control and / or address functional module 3c. In addition, module data 7c has type information and function information. The type information has the information "drill head". Functional information f has two functions, wherein the first function is the function "positioning the drill head" and the second function is "drilling a hole". Module data 7c has point p3 as a variable, wherein point P3 describes the position of a workpiece and / or an object when drilling and / or drilling a hole. In this embodiment, point p3 is described by coordinates X=11, Y=16 and Z=10.

[0046] Like the functional module 7c, the functional module 3d is also a drilling platform and has the module data 7d. The module data 7d has the ID 4 and has the type information and the function information. The type information and the function information are constructed in the same manner as the type information and the function information in the module data 7c. However, in the module data 7d, the point p3 is different from the module data 7c, and the point p3 has the coordinates X=11, Y=16 and Z=40 in this embodiment.

[0047] Figure 5 The process and / or process flow of the method are schematically shown. In a first step 100, the process flow and / or process flow chart is loaded by the control device 6. The process flow and / or process flow chart is stored in the control device, for example, in a data technology manner. Alternatively, the process flow chart can be created by a user at the control device.

[0048] In step 200, the function modules 3 are selected and parameterized based on the process flow diagram. In this case, the process flow diagram is stored, for example, so that the type and / or function for executing the process is stored there as a parameter. Based on the type and / or function and based on the provided module data 7, the control device 6 selects the function modules 3 for executing the corresponding process steps. In this example, the control device 6 uses Figure 4 . For example, the process flow diagram provides for sawing an object and then drilling a hole. The control device 6 is designed to select one of the two saws 3a, 3b. In this example, the control device 6 has selected the function module 3a as a saw and the function module 3c as a drill. The process flow diagram is parameterized with the module data 7a and 7c. With the aid of the process flow diagram parameterized with the module data formed by the module data 7a and 7c, the function modules 3a and 3c are then controlled for executing the process steps.

[0049] In process step 300, the object is transported to the receiving interface of the functional module 3a by means of the transport device 5. In this case, the object is transported to the Cartesian point p1, wherein p1 has the coordinates X=1, Y=3 and Z=5. In step 400, the functional module 3a is activated to perform the sawing step. In the sawing step, the object is sawed. The sawing is performed by the functional module 3a.

[0050] In a transport step 500, the sawn object is transported from the functional module 3a to the functional module 3c. In this case, the transport object (Transport) is transported from the transfer interface of the functional module 3a to the drilling point p3 of the functional module 3c. That is, the transport is carried out from the Cartesian coordinates X=4, Y=1 and Z=3 to the Cartesian coordinates X=11, Y=16 and Z=10. In a step 600, the functional module 3c is controlled to perform the functions "positioning the drill" and "drilling a hole". After the execution of step 600, a removal step 700 is carried out. In the removal step 700, the processed object 2b is removed, for example, by means of the transport device 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the removal is carried out from the point p3 of the functional module 3c, that is, from the Cartesian point X=11, Y=16 and Z=40.

Claims

1. An automated device (1) for executing a process flow, having at least one functional module (3) for executing the process steps (9a, 9b) of the process flow, wherein the functional module (3) has at least one object interface (4a, 4b) and module data (7), A transport device (5) is provided for transferring an object (2a, 2b) to the object interface (4a, 4b) and / or for receiving the object (2a, 2b) from the object interface (4a, 4b), A control device (6) is provided for controlling the functional module (3) based on a process flow diagram, It is characterized in that The control device (6) is designed to parameterize the process flow diagram based on the module data (7), wherein the process flow diagram for this purpose includes placeholders for functions and / or process steps of the function modules as parameters.

2. The automation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The module data (7) includes function information (f) of the function module (3).

3. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The module data (7) includes object interface orientation.

4. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The module data (7) includes information about the type of the functional module (3).

5. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Functional parameters are assigned to the functions of the module (3) in the module data (7).

6. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The functional module (3) has at least two object interfaces (4a, 4b), wherein one of the object interfaces forms a receiving interface (4a) for receiving the object (2a) from the transport device (5), and one of the object interfaces (4a, 4b) forms a handover interface (4b) for handing over the processed object (2b) to the transport device (5).

7. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The functional module (3) is designed to send the module data (7) to the control device (6).

8. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control device (6) comprises the process flow as a management shell.

9. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that At least two functional modules (3) having the same function, wherein the control device (6) has a selection module for selecting a selected functional module (3) for executing the process steps (9a, 9b) from the at least two functional modules (3) having the same function.

10. The automation device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The selection of the selected functional modules (3) is based on a validity evaluation.

11. The automation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the control device (6), information about parameters required and / or to be retrieved is stored for the type of functional module and / or for the function of the functional module (3).

12. A functional module for an automation device (1) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the functional module has module data (7), wherein the module data (7) includes functional information (f), object interface orientation and / or information about the type of the functional module (3).

13. A method for executing a process flow, executing the process flow using an automation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the process flow has a plurality of process steps (9a, 9b), wherein the process steps (9a, 9b) are executed using at least one functional module, wherein the functional module (3) has an object interface (4a, 4b) and module data (7), wherein the functional module (3) is controlled based on a process flow chart by means of a control device (6), wherein the process flow chart is a parameterized process flow chart, wherein the functional module (3) provides the module data (7) to the control device (6), and wherein the control device (6) parameterizes the process flow chart based on the module data (7).

14. A computer program product containing machine-readable instructions for carrying out the method according to claim 13 when the computer program product is executed on a computer unit, a functional module according to claim 12 or an automation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A storage medium, wherein the storage medium comprises the computer program product according to claim 14.

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