[monday_]

Off topic, but is there a way to import existing mechanical designs like we do it in software with libraries? Something like importing a transmission design into CAD and gluing it to the model with API-like slots.

I'm very new to CADs and only have limited experience with FreeCAD, but having to design a latch anew every time you need it seems like a common enough pain point.

[evanlivingston]

This is, in practice, the utility of the widespread use of CAD. Many manufacturers of parts distribute CAD models of those parts.

For example, McMaster-Carr have CAD models (in various formats) for nearly every single part in their catalog.

A designer/engineer can import those parts and then either create drawings referenced off of those parts, or mate/join those part using reference geometry. That is to say, the API is the geometry, and the CAD software provides good tools for interacting wit that API.

[0_____0]

MCM's 3D parts are also great starting points for stuff you'd like to print for prototyping. I just printed off a bespoke belt pulley using an MCM model as a base this past week. Added a bunch of specific mounting features I need for my application. It's an inferior part printed in FFF, but it'll work for now.

[skykooler]

And the nice thing is, if it breaks and you determine you need a better one, you can order the part from mcmaster and you already know it'll fit.

[RobotToaster]

Also a great way to get weird threads and connectors. Need a NPT thread? Just import a NPT cap.

[pmayrgundter]

Agreed. I'm also newish

I think for standard formats you start with STEP encoding and then there are various ISO semantic specs that encode to this, eg IFC for buildings (a standard BIM data format)

So i don't think STEP handles this explicitly, and while IFC does via URL-comptible file imports, it's rarely used in the wild.

Proprietary vendors use the standard formats for import/export but typically have poor support/wrong incentives for good interop.

There is interest in it tho, and I've talked with the OSARCH folks about it for BIM, and we're planning to work on it this year for bldrs.ai (open-source, links there to our discord and a #cad channel).

Ideally you import parts at the file level and have a compile step, like with code, where you load on lots of automatic integration tests

Stop by and chat!

[monday_]

Thanks, I will.

[nickpinkston]

We're actually in process of building this for individual components (bolts, motors, gears, etc.) at: https://beta.govolition.com where you can search for components, filter by spec, download CAD/specs, and purchase the parts.

But also check out:

- https://grabcad.com/library/tag/library <-- Lots of multi-part projects in addition to components.

- http://traceparts.com/ <-- Individual component CAD

- https://www.3dcontentcentral.com/ <-- Individual component CAD

Generally, you'll want to download .STEP files so they import into FreeCAD, as opposed to native Solidworks Part files, etc.

[adrienthebo]

Onshape allows for versioning parts and assemblies, mate connectors to determine how parts should connect, assemblies and subassemblies to define the relationships between parts and allow for reuse, configurable parts (feature flags etc); it's extremely powerful and pleasant to use. Regrettably it's a closed source SaaS option but all of the open source CAD tools are grossly underpowered in comparison. There's nothing like KiCAD that'll let you get work done quickly effectively - at least in my experience.

[s1mon]

The kernel (Parasolid) is closed source as well as many of the back end bits of Onshape, but all the code behind the standard features that is written in FeatureScript is under an MIT license (the Onshape Standard Library).

https://cad.onshape.com/FsDoc/index.html