Provided is a production module for the execution of at least one production function upon or for a product, wherein the production function is configured for interaction with a further production function of a further production module in a production operation, and the production module is executable as a self-similar fractal module, having an execution unit for the autonomous execution of the at least one production function, having a processor unit for the delivery of a production service for accessing the at least one production function, a self-description service for the delivery and communication of self-descriptive information incorporating properties of the production function for the further production module, and for the reception of further self-descriptive information incorporating properties of the further production function, a coupling service for the determination of a cooperation zone.

A visualization system computer communicating with a memory to execute a stored program contained in a fixed medium of the memory to display information regarding control components based on control component ontologies and knowledge bases. The visualization system includes an inspection agent configured to communicate with one or more autonomous control components of the manufacturing system to request control component information including a control component ontology including a listing of parameters and relations associated with the control component that define the operating characteristics of the control component and a knowledge base including a listing of current states for the parameters and relations of the control component. The visualization system further includes a visualization editor configured to generate a visualization interface representative of control component information received based on the request and an electronic web server configured to display the visualization interface in response to a received web page request.

Provided is a production module for the execution of at least one production function upon or for a product, wherein the production function is configured for interaction with a further production function of a further production module in a production operation, and the production module is executable as a self-similar fractal module, having an execution unit for the autonomous execution of the at least one production function, having a processor unit for the delivery of a production service for accessing the at least one production function, a self-description service for the delivery and communication of self-descriptive information incorporating properties of the production function for the further production module, and for the reception of further self-descriptive information incorporating properties of the further production function, a coupling service for the determination of a cooperation zone.