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MAE 455 Computer-Aided Design and Drafting

Using Vendor
e-Catalogs
Identifying Needed Components &
Obtaining Component Model Files
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Component Searches
Old way vs. New way
When manufacturing a product, a large percentage of components
are typically obtained from vendors, rather than being
manufactured in-house.
The designer is typically responsible for identifying the needed
components, and determining whether they will function properly
in the product.
The old pre-Internet way of performing these activities, was to:
1. Identify components in paper catalogs or on Microfiche
2. Draft the components by referencing vendor drawings
The new Information-age way of performing these activities is to:
1. Perform an Internet search for components.
2. Download model files and insert into assembly model
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Performing a Component Search
Searches can be performed in 3 ways:
Keyword search in Google, Yahoo or other search engine,
type in words that describe the component, being as specific as
possible.
Hierarchical search using GlobalSpec (www.globalspec.com),
Thomas Register (www.thomasnet.com), traceparts
(www.tracepartsonline.net), PARTSolutions (www.part-solutions.com) or
other hierarchically organized oracle, choose product category
starting at highest level and then be more specific as you work
your way down. Some sites allow specifying limits on engineering
and dimension parameters to narrow the search.
Shape-based search use 3DSearchIT, PartSolutions or other
shape search software to look through company records to find
existing components with shape similar to what you need.
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Downloading Model Files
CAD model files are available on the web
Vendors provide CAD models of the components they sell (e.g.,
www.mcmaster.com, www.reidsupply.com, www.8020.net).
Engineering web site companies host vendor model files (e.g.,
www.tracepartsonline.net).
On-line communities share model files on their web sites (e.g.,
www.wwufsae.com/Shared_FSAE_CAD_Library, www.3dcontentcentral.com)
These are available in different formats:
Bitmap Image (e.g., JPG, GIF)
2D Drawing (e.g., AutoCAD dwg)
3D Surface model (e.g., VRML)
Boundary-Representation models (dumb solid; e.g., IGES, STEP)
Solid model with construction history (i.e., can modify parameters, but
must be given in native CAD software-specific format)