Using 3D data in a spare parts catalog is easier than many companies think. Modern catalog software enables mechanical and plant engineering companies to easily use data from CAD systems and protects the 3D models from unauthorized access. This article shows how a 3D spare parts catalog is created.
Did you already read the 1st part of our 3D blog series Upgrading from 2D to 3D data in After Sales: Too expensive to be true?
Manufacturing companies that introduce 3D spare parts catalogs or switch from 2D to 3D representations in their catalogs thus give catalog users a lot of freedom: They are able to rotate parts, focus on them, zoom in and out continuously, or display them transparently. This makes a 3D spare parts catalog an important aid for both after-sales staff and customers.
Three steps are necessary to create spare parts catalogs with 3D data:
Various technologies are used during the process, for example by Lattice or Kisters, to ensure that the data is transferred cleanly and securely to the spare parts catalog.
The fact that 3D data is only used in construction in many companies is partly due to the fear of industrial espionage and re-engineering. German mechanical and plant engineering enjoys a good reputation worldwide and is valued above all for the high quality of its products.
In order to protect the development and engineering performance of manufacturing companies even when 3D data is used outside the design process, spare parts catalogs must take strict security aspects into account. To ensure the secure use of data, a 3D spare parts catalog offers several options and tools.
Restricted access: Access to catalog data can be restricted via APIs and a flexible rights and roles concept. Individual user groups can then access only the information they need and only to a certain level of detail. In addition, catalog functions can be restricted so that, for example, the dimensions of components are only available to selected user roles. Catalog creators can also add copyright information, expiration dates, and password protection to 3D models.
Modified geometries: Modifying the geometries of 3D models protects intellectual property from copying. For example, models can be randomly distorted or simplified so that the basic structures remain recognizable, but not the exact geometries or dimensions. Another protection option is the generation of polygon-based images that show the product or component not completely, but in an approximated form.
Cleaned metadata: Cleaning or reducing metadata not only protects important detailed information from prying eyes, but also improves the performance of a 3D spare parts catalog at the same time.
Server-side loading: When 3D data in the digital spare parts catalog is loaded server-side, the original files remain on the company's internal servers. Only 2D graphics of the 3D models are displayed to catalog users - regardless of platform, device, or browser. The images load quickly and viewers cannot tell the difference between 2D and 3D graphics.
Borgwaldt, a manufacturer of smoking machines and highly specialized laboratory equipment, has improved the provision, identification and availability of service and spare parts information by introducing digital spare parts catalogs.
The 3D design data originates from the NX CAD system. JT models created with it are transferred directly to the spare parts catalog software. In addition, the company's ERP system feeds parts lists and master data into the catalog software. This links 3D models and parts lists automatically and allows employees to generate digital 3D catalogs with just a few mouse clicks. The entire process takes just 90 minutes.
When a part is selected from the catalog's parts list, it is automatically highlighted in the 3D model and vice versa. With just one click, correlations are immediately visible. The 3D models illustrate the structure, location and exact appearance of machines, individual assemblies and parts and can be viewed from any angle.
A digital 3D spare parts catalog is an important tool to improve the quality of your after-sales service and also simplifies the daily work for other users of spare parts catalogs. Using the right software enables you to expand the spare parts catalog even further creating a whole service information system that provides further service details in addition to the spare parts information, thus enables a 360-degree view of machines and systems.
