Siemens CAx Online: Resolving 'Product Group Not Approved' Error

Engineers who try to pull 2D, 3D, and EPLAN macros for SIMATIC S7-1200 CPUs, signal modules, communication modules, and SIMATIC HMI Basic panels through the Siemens CAx Online generator routinely hit the same wall: every line item in the shopping cart is blocked by the message Product group is currently not approved for CAx export. The message stops every CAD format for that MLFB and forces a scramble for an alternative source of geometry, dimensional line-art, and electrical macros. This article decodes the error, lists the affected product groups, walks through five engineering workarounds, and shows how to recover 2D, 3D, and macro data without re-engineering the cabinet layout.

Problem Summary

The CAx Online generator is the Siemens portal for downloading CAD-native geometry and electrical macros that feed EPLAN Electric P8, AutoCAD Electrical, SOLIDWORKS, NX, and Autodesk Inventor. The generator returns Product group is currently not approved for CAx export for every requested deliverable when an MLFB is in a product group that has not been cleared for export in the CAx release matrix. The text is identical for 2D, 3D, EPLAN, and connection-diagram requests, and is final for that product group on that request.

The original report (a request covering the SINAMICS G110 inverter line and the SIMATIC S7-1200 / HMI parts listed below) hit the same error for every MLFB in the cart. Walking through the CAx availability matrix for each line confirmed that the affected product groups are blocked across the format set, while textual deliverables (datasheet, manual, curve, certificate) remain available.

Affected MLFBs and Decoded Product Identity

The original report covered the following five MLFBs. The decoded product identity is shown for each so engineers can map the error to a known product family before searching the workarounds:

Each Siemens MLFB encodes the product family (6ES7 = SIMATIC PLC, 6AV2 = SIMATIC HMI), the design version, the function class, the firmware/release key, and the packaging code. The CAx export is keyed on the product group, not the individual article number. The 6ES7211-1BD30 family of CPU 1211C articles, and the 6ES7231-5PA30 family of SM 1231 articles, will all return the same status until product management releases the product group.

CAx Availability Matrix Returned for the Affected MLFBs

Inspecting the CAx Online generator shopping cart for the five MLFBs above returns the following availability. No 2D, 3D, schematic, or EPLAN format is released for the affected product groups, but textual and certification deliverables remain available:

The pattern is consistent: documents and certificates are released, but geometry, schematics, and macros are not. This split is governed entirely by the product group, not by the request, the user, or the country.

Root Cause Analysis

Siemens maintains a CAx release matrix that gates every product group against the export pipeline. The matrix is updated by product management and reflects the state of data-set validation, regional rollout, and contractual release windows. Three independent conditions can produce the same error text:

1. Product group not released. The product family is in the CAx release matrix as blocked for the requested deliverable. This is the dominant cause for the older S7-1200 article numbers listed above.
2. Legacy article number. The article was created before the CAx rollout and the geometry was never converted into the export format set. The part is still manufactured and shipped, but the CAD data is not in the pipeline.
3. Regional or contractual block. Some product groups are released only after data-set validation for a given market. The same MLFB can be released in DE and blocked in US, for example, depending on the rollout state of the data set.

All three produce identical error text. The customer cannot resolve the first two cases; only the third can be retried by changing the country selector in the CAx generator or the Industry Mall.

Verification Procedure

Run the following five checks before treating the message as final. They eliminate session, account, cart-corruption, and regional causes:

1. Sign in to Industry Online Support. Open support.industry.siemens.com and sign in. Anonymous carts in the CAx generator can drop export options and surface a stale "not approved" flag. Rebuild the cart after sign-in.
2. Switch the country/region selector. The CAx release matrix is keyed on region. The same MLFB can be released in one region and blocked in another. Try a different locale (for example, switch from en-US to de-DE or en-GB) and re-check availability.
3. Look up the successor article. Search the MLFB on the Siemens Industry Mall and read the product page. Most S7-1200 modules have a current successor that is CAx-released. The product page lists the successor in the "Successor" or "Alternative article" field.
4. Clear the cart and re-add. Empty the cart, close the browser session, and re-add the parts one at a time. Stale cart state from a previous build can leave a "not approved" flag visible even when the product group is released.
5. Check the product page directly. Open the MLFB on the Industry Mall and inspect the CAD data section on the product page. If the section is empty, the product group is blocked. If a CAD icon is present, retry the CAx generator with the cart rebuilt from scratch.

If all five checks return the same status, the product group is genuinely blocked. Move to the workaround section below.

Workaround 1 - Siemens Image Database (bilddb)

The Siemens Image Database is the official graphics portal that ships on the same automation.siemens.com domain as the CAx generator. It contains product photographs, dimensional line-art, and, where released, 3D representations and native geometry. It is the primary fallback for product groups blocked in the CAx generator.

Procedure to extract 2D and 3D representations for the affected MLFBs:

1. Open the Image Database URL and set the language to English (lang=en in the URL).
2. From the search-tree selector at the top of the page, choose Product Structure. The selector Siemens Industry Catalog returns marketing imagery only and is not useful for engineering CAD work.
3. Drill into the product category that matches the MLFB. For the listed parts:
   • SIMATIC S7-1200: Automation technology > SIMATIC industrial automation systems > PLC > S7-1200
   • SIMATIC HMI: Automation technology > SIMATIC > Operator control and monitoring systems > Basic Panels
4. From the object-type drop-down, pick:
   • 3D product graphic (perspective) for rendered isometric images usable as panel-layout placeholders
   • 3D model for native geometry (STEP/IGES where released)
   • 3D rendering (pictures) for raster previews and proposal graphics
5. Click Find now. The result list shows every released representation for the selected category.
6. Open the asset, then click the download icon to save the file in the requested format.

The Image Database honours the same release matrix as CAx. A product group blocked in CAx may still return only photographs in bilddb. Where native 3D geometry is not yet released, the rendered image is a workable substitute for layout markups, EPLAN panel overviews, and proposal drawings. The URL parameters aktPrim=0 and usestructure=2 force the search into the product-structure tree; the nodeID parameter can be pre-set to skip directly to the S7-1200 subtree.

Workaround 2 - Lightbox for Bulk Asset Capture

When multiple modules from the same product group are needed, the bilddb Lightbox consolidates the download into a single ZIP. This is the fastest way to assemble a full cabinet-layout set in one pass:

1. Run the same bilddb search as above.
2. Tick the checkbox on every result row you want.
3. Click the Lightbox button to add the selection to a working list.
4. Open the Lightbox, then click Download all to receive a single ZIP containing every selected asset.

The Lightbox persists for the browser session. A full S7-1200 panel layout (CPU, SM, CM, HMI) typically compiles in a few minutes and lands as one ZIP on the local drive. Filter the result list by the article number to keep the ZIP small and avoid pulling marketing imagery for the whole product family.

Workaround 3 - Siemens Industry Mall CAD Download

The Siemens Industry Mall exposes a parallel CAD download service on the product detail page. The Mall pipeline uses the same release matrix, so a blocked product group returns the same status, but the Mall route is useful when the engineer needs the CAD file attached to a procurement order for traceability and a paper trail in the bill of materials.

1. Search the MLFB in the Mall.
2. Open the product detail page.
3. Expand the CAD data section on the right rail.
4. Pick a CAD format: STEP AP203, STEP AP214, IGES, JT, Parasolid, SAT, 2D DXF, or 3D-PDF.
5. Add the file to the cart and request generation. The Mall returns a download link in the order confirmation.

Workaround 4 - System Manuals and Installation Guides

For EPLAN and panel-layout projects that do not need native geometry, the S7-1200 system manual and the device-specific installation guides include the data the engineer actually needs for the cabinet build:

• CPU outline drawings with mounting depth, height, and clearance
• SM/CM dimensional drawings keyed to the DIN-rail mounting
• Wiring diagrams that match the connection diagram in the CAx catalogue (where released)
• Terminal assignment tables that map pin numbers to signal names
• Power-budget and grounding notes that drive the panel drawing

These are released as PDF supplements on the manual tree in Siemens Industry Online Support and are not gated by the CAx product-group flag. Use the manual's drawing as a template in AutoCAD and trace the geometry manually for the affected modules, or import the PDF as a background overlay in your MCAD tool.

Workaround 5 - Substitute the Released Successor MLFB

Where the engineering job is greenfield and the cabinet layout can use a current MLFB, replace the legacy part with its released successor before generating CAx data. The S7-1200 product family is one of Siemens' most-migrated lines; the standard migration path is documented on each product page in the Industry Mall and in the catalog notes:

End-of-Life and Phased-Out Product Groups

The CAx release matrix tracks the product group through the entire lifecycle: introduction, active production, phased-out, and end-of-life. For phased-out groups, the matrix often stays blocked for new CAD export because the engineering effort to re-issue the data is not justified by ongoing sales. The original report's MLFBs sit in older firmware generations of the S7-1200 line, and several are in the phased-out or end-of-life band of the lifecycle.

Engineers maintaining an installed base with these MLFBs have three options:

1. Retain the legacy MLFB in the bill of materials and use the system manual's dimensional drawings for any new panel work. The geometry is stable across the production run, so a single traced drawing serves every cabinet.
2. Migrate the cabinet to a current successor and re-issue the CAx request with the new MLFB. The successor is released for CAD export and carries the current firmware signature.
3. Request a one-time CAx release through Siemens Industry Online Support. Product management can override the matrix for a specific customer on a per-article basis, but the request is processed manually and typically takes five to ten business days.

CAD Format Reference

Siemens publishes native geometry in several CAD formats. The choice depends on the downstream ECAD or MCAD tool:

Native Siemens STEP and Parasolid files ship in millimetres with the origin at the geometric centre of the device. For the S7-1200 line, the origin is at the centre of the CPU front face, which matches the AutoCAD Electrical mounting template and the EPLAN macro reference point.

Integrating CAx Data with EPLAN Electric P8

EPLAN Electric P8 is the dominant downstream consumer of CAx macros in Europe. The macro carries the article number, terminal assignments, DT properties, and the symbol library, so importing the macro is faster than building the part from scratch:

1. Download the EPLAN macro from the CAx generator (where released) or the bilddb fallback (where the 3D model is available).
2. Open EPLAN and select Project > Manage > Parts management.
3. Import the macro into the EPLAN parts database using Insert > Macro.
4. Place the macro on the schematic page. The macro carries the terminal assignments, article numbers, and DT properties.
5. Run the parts DB sync to update the bill of materials.
6. Validate the macro by running the EPLAN parts checker; failed checks usually point to a missing DT property or a misaligned terminal.

For macro data sourced from the system manual, build the EPLAN part by hand. The manual's terminal assignment table is the source of truth, and the macro drawing in the manual is a usable template. Save the result in the EPLAN parts database so the next project inherits it. For the S7-1200 line, the EPLAN Data Portal also ships Siemens macros that can be imported with one click and cross-checked against the manual.

Integrating CAx Data with AutoCAD Electrical

AutoCAD Electrical is the standard downstream consumer in North America. The 2D DXF from CAx is the working format for symbol libraries:

1. Download the 2D DXF from the CAx generator or bilddb.
2. Open AutoCAD Electrical and run Import > DXF.
3. Map the layers to the AutoCAD Electrical standard layers (WDOT, WLAY, WCRD, etc.).
4. Tag the symbols with the panel component tag.
5. Use the WD_MDB blocks to extend the symbol library.
6. Run the Audit tool to verify the inserted blocks carry the correct wire numbers and component tags.

Integrating CAx Data with SOLIDWORKS, NX, and Inventor

For mechanical assembly and panel layout, the 3D model is the working format. The choice of CAD format depends on the host tool:

1. Download the STEP AP214 file (preferred for SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, Fusion 360) or Parasolid X_T (preferred for NX native).
2. Open the file in the MCAD tool and set the units to mm.
3. Use the import as the mechanical reference for the panel layout, mounting bracket, and DIN-rail footprint.
4. Run a clearance check against the cabinet interior before finalising the layout. The S7-1200 CPU and signal modules need a minimum 25 mm clearance above and below the device for ventilation and cable routing.
5. Save the assembly to the project vault or to a shared PLM library so the next project inherits the footprint.

Working with TIA Portal Device Versions

The S7-1200 parts listed above are configured in TIA Portal. When substituting a successor MLFB, the device version (firmware version) must match the TIA Portal hardware catalogue. Use the following procedure to align the device version before commissioning:

1. Open the TIA Portal project and navigate to Devices & networks.
2. Right-click the CPU and select Change device > Change device version.
3. Pick the firmware version that matches the MLFB in the cabinet. TIA Portal will warn if the device version is older than the project.
4. Recompile the hardware configuration and download to the CPU.

If the device version is missing from TIA Portal, install the latest HSP (Hardware Support Package) from the TIA Portal installation media or from the Siemens support portal. TIA Portal V16 and later ship with the latest HSP for the S7-1200 line, but legacy projects on V13/V14 need the corresponding legacy HSP to recognise older MLFBs.

Edge Cases and Field-Proven Caveats

Five conditions surface the same error text and trip up engineers in the field:

1. Multiple regions on the SIOS profile. An engineer registered on SIOS with two regions (for example, US and DE) sees the matrix for the default region. Switch the default in the SIOS profile, not just the country selector in the CAx generator.
2. Cached CAx status. A CAx status that was correct six months ago can become stale when the product group is released. Clear the browser cache and rebuild the cart.
3. Phased-out MLFB in spare-parts inventory. The MLFB is still in the customer's warehouse but no longer in the production matrix. The CAx generator blocks it. Order the current successor and migrate the cabinet.
4. Contractual data block. Some product groups are released only to OEM partners under a specific contract. The block is not visible on the public matrix. Open a Siemens support request.
5. Wrong product family in the search tree. The MLFB is in a sub-family (for example, SIPLUS extreme, marine approvals, or specific railway variants) that is not in the public CAx matrix. The standard product family returns a "released" status, but the SIPLUS variant does not.

Escalation Path

Escalate to Siemens through your sales representative or the Industry Online Support ticket form when any of the following is true:

• The successor is out of stock and the cabinet layout is locked to the legacy MLFB.
• The CAx status changes for a recently released product group (for example, the product group shows "approved" on the product page but "not approved" in the cart).
• The data is required for a regulatory submission (CE/UL file) and the traceable CAD source is blocked.
• The CAx generator returns a different error string for the same MLFB (for example, a session timeout or a generation queue error), which indicates a pipeline fault rather than a release-matrix block.

Open a Service Request at support.industry.siemens.com with the MLFB, region, the exact wording of the error string, and the date/time of the failed request. Product management can override the matrix on a per-article basis once a customer is on file. Response time is typically five business days for a CAx release query.

Summary Procedure

1. Verify the error using the five-step verification procedure (sign in, switch region, look up successor, clear cart, check product page).
2. Pull 2D/3D imagery from bilddb using Product Structure and the object-type filter.
3. For bulk capture, use the bilddb Lightbox to download a single ZIP of the full panel set.
4. For native CAD geometry on a current part, re-issue the request with the released successor MLFB.
5. For EPLAN and AutoCAD Electrical work, use the system manual's dimensional drawings and wiring diagrams as the authoritative source.
6. Open an Industry Online Support request if the data is needed on a non-substitutable legacy part.

Frequently Asked Questions