Abstract: A modular machine-automation system includes a server module and a plurality of client modules. Each client module includes a housing having a first client module connection face with a first client signal transfer unit and a second client module connection face with a second client signal transfer, and a client bus switch-on unit. In an initialization mode, a client signal coupling unit in the client bus switch-on unit is configured to determine which client module connection face is connected to a server module connection face, either directly or via one or a plurality of further client modules, in order to switch to a first operating mode when the first client module connection face is coupled to the server module connection face, and to a second operating mode when the second client module connection face is coupled to the server module connection face.

Abstract: A method is related for operating a modular robot. The modular robot comprises a robot base, at least a robot arm arranged on the robot base and a controller. The robot arm comprises a plurality of modularly arrangeable arm modules. The controller carries out steps described herein. Allocation information is received from each of the arm modules in an allocation determining step. In an arm module base data determining step, arm module base data is determined for each arm module based on the allocation information. Further, a configuration of the modular robot is created from the association information and the arm module base data of each arm module in a configurating step, where the configuration is used to control the robot arm.

Abstract: A modular machine-automation system includes a server module and a plurality of client modules. Each client module includes a housing having a first client module connection face with a first client signal transfer unit and a second client module connection face with a second client signal transfer, and a client bus switch-on unit. In an initialization mode, a client signal coupling unit in the client bus switch-on unit is configured to determine which client module connection face is connected to a server module connection face, either directly or via one or a plurality of further client modules, in order to switch to a first operating mode when the first client module connection face is coupled to the server module connection face, and to a second operating mode when the second client module connection face is coupled to the server module connection face.