Designing 3D Success with RS

In September 2024, RS Group celebrated the download of 5 million models from its 3D CAD program which is provided by TraceParts. This is a significant achievement because RS is an unusual client for TraceParts – it is a distributor of electronic components that does not create any of its own 3D models.  

When RS launched its 3D CAD program in 2010, it was part of a new and innovative approach. At the time, much of RS business was still being serviced through printed paper catalogs containing details of hundreds of thousands of items. While the product portfolio was comprehensive and continued to expand with new introductions of their suppliers, the team at RS was aware that the customer experience needed to evolve. 

The Needs of the Engineer 

In a wide-ranging series of interviews, RS spoke to many of its engineering customers to identify the key stages of the typical design process. The result of this extensive survey was an in-depth understanding of the challenges and stress points that its customers faced. From this, RS identified several key solutions that would help electronic design engineers (EDEs) overcome each of these challenges. 

The result was DesignSpark, a web platform that served as the home for a series of tools and solutions. Included in the DesignSpark offer was an advanced search engine to assist in the selection of components. Also available was professional PCB layout software, available to use free of charge, and a wide range of tools for designing and building electronic prototypes. The 3D program formed a key component of DesignSpark, ensuring that EDEs had access to mechanical design tools to allow them to complete their projects. 

Visit DesignSpark at www.rs-online.com/designspark/home

When creating its 3D program, RS was faced with several unusual requirements. Unlike component manufacturers, RS is a distributor that does not create its own 3D models. Instead, the program works with key suppliers to obtain their 3D models and publish them under the RS name. It relies on these suppliers to provide the latest CAD files as soon as they were updated. The RS 3D program therefore needed a quick and reliable method to update the catalog to ensure that only the latest versions of the models are displayed.  

The Digital Thread 

In addition, it was essential that the RS 3D program was able to manage large amounts of metadata. One of the key benefits of downloading an existing 3D model is the wealth of attribute information that each model contains. When incorporated into a new project, modern CAD software accepts this metadata and uses it to populate a bill of materials that contains a complete list of the parts used within the design.  

Unlike the 3D models offered from a manufacturer’s own catalog, the models offered by RS must contain not only the manufacturer part numbers but also RS Component’s status as the supplier, along with the internal RS article code.  

Finally, once the models were published, RS required a seamless method to integrate the 3D models into its e-commerce platform. The flexibility of the TraceParts technology made these features easy to implement. From the initial development of the RS catalog to the full implementation into the website, TraceParts worked closely with the RS team. 

Making 3D Accessible to All 

In 2013, the 3D CAD program evolved even further with the release of DesignSpark Mechanical, a free-to-use 3D CAD design tool. With this software, EDEs who were previously unable to create their own 3D models could finally play a part in the overall design process. Once again, TraceParts was a key partner for RS. The bespoke DesignSpark Mechanical file format is now one of more than 60 different software types that is available from TraceParts, making this free tool even more powerful. 

TraceParts is proud to partner with RS. The 3D program is a superb example of the imaginative and innovative approach to customers that has been the hallmark of RS for many years. We at TraceParts congratulate the RS team on this milestone, and we look forward to the next 5 million downloads!