METHOD FOR PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION INFORMATION OF COMPLEX MACHINES AND SYSTEMS, IN PARTICULAR AN INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

A method is disclosed for ascertaining a machine configuration and state, the machine having exchangeable components and parts. Each component is provided with a storage device storing component-specific documentation information and from which the documentation information is retrieved and stored in a first memory. Identification information is assigned to each part and is read into an identification unit. Part-specific documentation information associated with the identification information is retrieved from an external memory and stored in a second memory. The component-specific documentation information and the part-specific documentation information are combined to generate overall documentation of the machine. When a component is replaced, changed documentation information of the replacement component and replacement part are retrieved. Changed overall documentation is then automatically generated from the changed documentation information. The changed overall documentation is displayed on an output device to allow an operator to determine the changed machine configuration and state. Publié sans précis