A concrete block is produced from a workpiece that is split by a plurality of splitting assemblies, each of which comprises a multiplicity of peaks, for example alternating ridges and valleys. The cylinder bores of the first group can be connected to a first hydraulic circuit, and the cylinder bores of the second group can be connected to a second hydraulic circuit. If the identity cannot be ascertained, a request is made for additional information to be sent. The coded data is arranged in accordance with at least one layout having n-fold rotational symmetry, where n is at least two.