Procurement, Licensing, and Upgrade Pathways for SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT V8.1

Procurement, Licensing, and Upgrade Pathways for SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT V8.1

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the CEMAT Minerals Automation Standard (MinAS) library is an advanced, commercially licensed industry software package that is not available as a free public download from Siemens Industry Online Support. To deploy CEMAT V8.1 on a new project or upgrade an existing installation from legacy versions (CEMAT V6.1, V7.0, V7.1, or V8.0), system integrators must purchase official orderable software packages via the Siemens Industry Mall. The primary software package for a fresh engineering station is orderable under MLFB 6DL5436-8AX18-0XA0, while existing installations utilize dedicated upgrade packages (e.g., 6DL5436-8AX18-0XE0). Licensing is managed strictly through Automation License Manager (ALM) with dedicated Engineering and Runtime license keys.

Table of Contents

• Commercial and Architectural Scope of SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT
• Software Distribution Policy: Why CEMAT is Not Freely Downloadable
• Supported Migration and Upgrade Pathways to CEMAT V8.1
• License Key Management via Automation License Manager
• CEMAT V8.1 Software Package and Upgrade Procurement Schedule
• Verification
• Limitations and Operational Precautions
• Engineer FAQ
• Technical References
• Related Articles
• Related Tags

Commercial and Architectural Scope of SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT

The SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT library is the specialized automation standard for the cement, mining, and bulk material handling industries. It provides comprehensive technological blocks for single/dual-direction drives (C_DRV_1D, C_DRV_2D), dampers (C_DAMPER), routes (C_ROUTE), group control (C_GROUP), and analog signal processing (C_MEASUR).

Because CEMAT represents decades of specialized domain engineering developed by Siemens Mining & Cement Competence Centers, it is classified as a premium technological add-on. It requires its own legal licensing entitlements independent of standard SIMATIC PCS 7 engineering and runtime Process Objects (PO).

Software Distribution Policy: Why CEMAT is Not Freely Downloadable

Engineers frequently search the Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) portal expecting a downloadable installation zip archive for CEMAT. However, Siemens enforces strict software distribution rules:

1. Commercial Media Delivery: Only minor updates, hotfixes, and documentation patches are posted to SIOS. The core setup suites for major releases (such as CEMAT V8.1 or V9.0) are delivered exclusively on physical DVD media or through authorized Siemens Online Software Delivery (OSD) download portals following verified order placement.
2. License Certificate Enforcement: Installing the software without the accompanying License Certificate (CoL) and hardware/USB license keys leaves the software in an unlicensed demo state, triggering hourly license violation warnings in WinCC and blocking AS compilation.

Supported Migration and Upgrade Pathways to CEMAT V8.1

When upgrading existing manufacturing facilities to CEMAT V8.1:

1. Direct Upgrade from V8.0: Projects running CEMAT V8.0 can be updated directly to V8.1 by applying the upgrade package and updating block types in CFC.
2. Multi-Hop Upgrade from V6.1 / V7.x: Legacy projects running classic CEMAT (V6.1 or V7.x) must follow the official multi-step migration pathway. Because CEMAT V8 is redesigned around the PCS 7 Advanced Process Library (APL) philosophy (using structured parameters rather than elementary types), upgrading requires reconciling block interfaces, replacing old faceplates, and executing a full AS program compilation.
3. OS Upgrade Requirements: Upgrading CEMAT in the AS mandates simultaneously upgrading WinCC OS Server graphics and scripts to V8.1.

License Key Management via Automation License Manager

CEMAT licenses are administered through the standard Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM):

1. Engineering License (CEMAT Engineering V8.1): Installed on the Engineering Station (ES). Unlocks CEMAT CFC block generation, message configuration, and the CEMAT Plant Model editor.
2. Server Runtime License (CEMAT Server V8.1): Installed on every WinCC OS Server (and each redundant server partner). Authorizes the WinCC runtime to execute CEMAT C-scripts, alarm logging, and group faceplate hierarchies.
3. Client Access: Standard OS Clients connect to the licensed OS Server without requiring separate CEMAT client licenses.

CEMAT V8.1 Software Package and Upgrade Procurement Schedule

The following schedule outlines the primary order numbers (MLFBs) for purchasing or upgrading CEMAT V8.1:

Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: Software order numbers (MLFBs), package structures, and hardware capacity prerequisites vary across PCS 7 versions and hardware platforms. System integrators must confirm exact software entitlements and licensing requirements against the official Siemens Catalog CA 01 and obtain an authorized Siemens distributor quotation prior to purchasing.

Verification

Verify CEMAT V8.1 installation and licensing:
1. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) on the Engineering Station; verify that license keys for 'SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT Engineering V8.1' and 'SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT Server V8.1' appear with status 'Valid / In use'.
2. In SIMATIC Manager, navigate to File > Open > Libraries; confirm that the CEMAT_CS library opens cleanly.
3. Drag a C_DRV_1D block into a CFC chart; compile CFC and confirm zero license warning dialogues.
4. Activate WinCC Runtime on the OS Server; verify that the WinCC Alarm Logging list displays no 'License missing' or 'Demo mode' system messages.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never attempt to share, copy, or distribute CEMAT installation ISOs or license keys across unentitled machines; doing so violates Siemens software copyright agreements and leaves industrial facilities exposed during software compliance audits. Always verify that your base SIMATIC PCS 7 version matches the CEMAT release: CEMAT V8.1 strictly requires SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.1 (or V8.1 SP1) and is incompatible with PCS 7 V7.1 or V9.0.

Engineer FAQ

Can I download a trial or demo version of CEMAT from SIOS?

No. Siemens does not offer downloadable trial versions of CEMAT. Demonstration systems or evaluation licenses must be requested directly through your local Siemens Industry sales representative.

Does CEMAT V8.1 require redundant server licenses?

Yes. In a redundant WinCC OS Server pair (SERV_A and SERV_B), each physical server must possess its own valid CEMAT Server Runtime license key.

Can I run CEMAT blocks in an S7-300 controller?

No. CEMAT is an enterprise DCS standard designed specifically for S7-400 and CPU 410-5H automation stations in SIMATIC PCS 7.

Technical References

• Siemens Industry Online Support Product Note 104982057: Delivery Release of SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT V8.1
• SIMATIC PCS 7 CEMAT Minerals Automation Standard (MinAS) Manual
• Siemens Catalog CA 01: SIMATIC PCS 7 Process Control System

Related Articles

• SIMATIC PCS 7 in the Mining and Cement Industries: Architecture, Demo Projects, and CEMAT Application Guidelines
• Resolving 'Block Does Not Exist' Popups and Dependent FC Errors During CEMAT Block Type Update in PCS 7
• Diagnosing Live-Zero Failures and Missing High-High Interlocks During Sensor Power Loss in CEMAT C_MEASUR

Related Tags

• CEMAT
• Licensing
• Procurement
• Software Upgrade
• MinAS