We offer libraries of general mechanical parts, such as fasteners, bearings, and such as part of our 'Reuse' strategy as well as application specific, such as piping, tubing and electrical 'fittings', with our mechanical and electrical design and routing applications.
As for general purchased parts, there are several sites which offer 3D models in various vendor specific formats as well as the common exchange formats. What I've done most often in the past if it for something other than what we provide is go to a site like the one from Machine Design:
Amazingly, McMaster-Carr is still sending out large 'paper' catalogs as I just got the latest one in the mail. A couple of months ago I went to their website and downloaded a 3D model of some item and I guess when I registered for thier site they asked if I would like a catalog (or it could have been checked by default and I didn't notice it). Anyway, it has been years since I had a new version of their catalog and it kind of brought back old memories of my days when I had a 'real job' ;-)
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Word of warning though, some vendors models can be excessively complex. For instance they may have all the threads of a screw modelled, which most of the time is just a memory hog in your CAD/PC and offers little benefit most of the time.
Some better sites give you the option of simplifying them, or at least leaving off threads.
kenat,
I just noticed that the other day, I downloaded a 6214K449 Knob from McMaster Carr and the file for the knob was as big as the file for the whole assembly.
B.E.
Not sure which CAD system that you're using, but if the model was downloaded as a 'feature' model, if you're not going to edit it parametrically and your system allows you to removed parameters/make dumb/defeature whatever, do that as those features are just taking up space and will never be used.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
