Simplifying the Component Sourcing Process

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The goods we use on a daily basis are much more intricate and complex than what meets the eye. Some of the most common items can be made up of many component parts. For example, a dryer is constructed with over 125 components, including motors, nozzles, and valves. A car is much more complex, requiring 30,000 parts to be rendered complete. A lot of design, selection, and sourcing planning goes into determining how a part is going to be added to the overall product, which is a responsibility that falls on engineers. 

There are several different methods to finding and selecting these supplier parts. Sometimes engineers opt to redraw the part made by supplier manufacturers, which is a DIY approach that can be very time consuming and have low accuracy. Component data can also be requested directly from the manufacturer. Even though this method is much more accurate, the options to choose from can be very limited. 

The best method is downloading data from a component search engine, which provides a large selection of brands and products, all with accurate manufacturer certified data. There is also instant turnaround and revision times, which can help save engineers around 625 hours per year in the sourcing process.

Deconstructing the Things We Use Every Day: How Engineers Find, Source, and Design Components
Source: 3Dfindit.com