Immediate Product Discontinuation for SIMATIC Field PG M6 – 6ES7718-...

The SIMATIC Field PG M6 (Siemens article number 6ES7718-...) is a mobile, rugged programming device used for industrial automation tasks. It is primarily employed for configuration, commissioning, maintenance, and servicing of Siemens SIMATIC S7 systems.

As one of the last available devices, it also fully supports legacy Siemens S5 systems. Thanks to its robust construction, comprehensive interface set, and pre-installed engineering software, it remains a key tool in industrial automation.

On July 18, 2024, the SIMATIC Field PG M6 was officially designated as P.M 400 – Phase-Out. Three of the four listed modules are already sold out. The last variant is available in limited quantities. With this change, Siemens has ended active marketing of the product. New units can only be sourced from remaining stock. The spare parts commitment runs for ten years – until July 18, 2034.

For maintenance teams, this status change increases the risk in case of failures. New units are no longer readily available, making repair services a strategic necessity. Procurement departments face rising prices for remaining stock and a limited market supply. Transitioning to successor products is challenging, as the new SIMATIC IPC MD-57A does not cover all of the M6's functions.

EICHLER specializes in maintaining discontinued Siemens products. For the SIMATIC Field PG M6, EICHLER offers:

• Component-level repair services
• Spare parts supply beyond Siemens' official availability
• Replacement devices in case of total failure
• Consultation on compatibility and migration
• Buy-back of defective or old devices for refurbishment

These services allow for continued economical operation of existing systems without an immediate switch to new technology. 

Product Status Legend:

• P.M 300: Regularly available
• P.M 400: Phase-out announcement – spare parts guarantee begins
• P.M 410: Available as spare part only
• P.M 490: End of spare parts obligation
• P.M 500: End of life – no further repairs possible 

The successor SIMATIC IPC MD-57A introduces a new naming convention and updated technology. However, support for S5 systems has been dropped. For many existing systems, it is not a fully equivalent alternative. Maintenance teams and technicians should carefully assess whether a transition is feasible or whether continued use of the SIMATIC Field PG M6 is more practical.

The discontinuation of the SIMATIC Field PG M6 (6ES7718-...) marks a significant milestone in the lifecycle of Siemens engineering devices. For industrial operations that still depend on S5 or specific interfaces, the M6 remains irreplaceable in many cases. EICHLER provides expert services to ensure ongoing operational readiness despite the product phase-out – both technically and economically.