{"id":2580,"date":"2025-04-11T12:52:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T10:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spareparts365.com\/what-is-a-3d-spare-parts-catalogue-system\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:28:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T14:28:29","slug":"what-is-a-3d-spare-parts-catalogue-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spareparts365.com\/en\/what-is-a-3d-spare-parts-catalogue-system\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a 3D spare parts catalogue system?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1774008189514{padding-top: 100px !important;}” conditional_render=”%5B%7B%22value_role%22%3A%22administrator%22%7D%5D” css_params=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”” css_params=””]However, producing these drawings requires some extra effort, which is why conventional design drawings \u2014 generated directly from the CAD system \u2014 are still used in some cases. The advantage of reduced production effort is offset by the fact that it is more difficult to locate a required spare part.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row conditional_render=”%5B%7B%22value_role%22%3A%22administrator%22%7D%5D” el_class=”m-t” css_params=”{“css_padding_top_md“:“100px“,“css_padding_top_xs“:“100px“}” custom_css_response=”@media(max-width:767px){.vc_custom_1774008195441{padding-top:100px!important;}}@media(max-width:575px){.vc_custom_1774008195441{padding-top:100px!important;}}” animation_type=”fadeInLeft” css=”.vc_custom_1774008195441{padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is a 3D spare parts catalogue?” use_theme_fonts=”yes” font_family=”Noto Sans Regular” css_params=””][vc_row_inner el_class=”aufzaehlung-orange” css_params=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”” css_params=”” el_class=”aufzaehlung-orange”]For several years now, companies have therefore been moving towards using 3D data directly from the design phase for spare parts catalogues. Instead of 2D images, 3D models are integrated into the spare parts catalogue. The catalogue user can rotate and move these models, or select or hide individual parts. The 3D model of an assembly is linked to the corresponding bill of materials, so that selecting a part in the bill of materials highlights the corresponding element in the 3D model \u2013 and vice versa.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2578″ onclick=”img_link_large” css=”” lightbox=”yes” zoom_icon=”yes” css_params=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row conditional_render=”%5B%7B%22value_role%22%3A%22administrator%22%7D%5D” el_class=”m-t” css_params=”” custom_css_response=”@media(max-width:767px){.vc_custom_1773938169142{padding-top:100px!important;}}@media(max-width:575px){.vc_custom_1773938169142{padding-top:100px!important;}}” animation_type=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What is the point of a 3D spare parts catalogue?” use_theme_fonts=”yes” font_family=”Noto Sans Regular” css_params=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Advantages” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_params=””][vc_column_text css=”” css_params=”” el_class=”text-2spalten aufzaehlung-orange”]In most cases, the main advantage of using a 3D spare parts catalogue is that it eliminates the need to create 2D exploded views.<\/p>\n

The steps involved in this process \u2013 from creating a perspective exploded view to assigning or matching part numbers in the drawing and the bill of materials \u2013 require a considerable amount of effort and demand in-depth technical expertise.<\/p>\n

Switching to a 3D spare parts catalogue simplifies the entire process chain involved in producing spare parts catalogues. This is achieved because \u2013 ideally \u2013 no manual tasks are required, and the existing data from the design department and the ERP system can be used directly. <\/p>\n

This approach also makes it easier to update the spare parts catalogue, as there is no need to manually adjust 2D drawings; instead, the updated design data simply needs to be provided and processed.<\/p>\n

From a marketing perspective, there are also strong arguments in favour of 3D spare parts catalogues, as they enable your company to showcase state-of-the-art, modern technology not only in relation to the main product but also in the after-sales sector.<\/p>\n

The \u2018digital natives\u2019 among users of spare parts catalogues will certainly feel right at home in a 3D spare parts catalogue. For other users, it takes a bit of getting used to, but this is not usually a major problem for technically savvy professionals.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Concerns” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_params=””][vc_column_text css=”” css_params=”” el_class=”text-2spalten aufzaehlung-orange”]Before switching to a 3D spare parts catalogue, concerns are occasionally raised that should not be ignored.<\/p>\n

The issue of data security is frequently raised, driven by concerns about the inadvertent disclosure of specialist technical know-how. We address this point in more detail in the final paragraph. <\/p>\n

Whilst displaying an assembly with a few parts is straightforward, the data volume required to display a 3D model of complete machines or systems may, in some cases, be too large for use in a spare parts catalogue. Although the scope of a model that can be displayed within a reasonable time has increased significantly thanks to the fast internet connections available today (for the most part), it may still be necessary to work with \u2018traditional\u2019 2D representations or schematic overview drawings at the top-level navigation tiers. <\/p>\n

The question of acceptance by catalogue users is undoubtedly linked to the specific user group in question and must be considered on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

One reason for not using 2D illustrations is the absolute necessity of producing an illustrated printed catalogue, as 3D data is, by its very nature, unsuitable for this purpose.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, the use of 3D spare parts catalogues requires data of sufficient quality. This means that the data in the 3D models and in the associated parts lists must match so that a link can be established between the two areas.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row conditional_render=”%5B%7B%22value_role%22%3A%22administrator%22%7D%5D” el_class=”m-t” css_params=”” custom_css_response=”@media(max-width:767px){.vc_custom_1773938169142{padding-top:100px!important;}}@media(max-width:575px){.vc_custom_1773938169142{padding-top:100px!important;}}” animation_type=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How is a 3D spare parts catalogue created?” use_theme_fonts=”yes” font_family=”Noto Sans Regular” css_params=””][vc_column_text css=”” css_params=”” el_class=”text-2spalten aufzaehlung-orange”]In the 3D spare parts catalogue, too, the bill of materials \u2013 with its hierarchical structure of assemblies \u2013 forms the basic unit of information. 3D representations can then be assigned to the individual assemblies. <\/p>\n

As the native data from CAD systems cannot be used directly for display in the spare parts catalogue \u2013 nor, of course, should it be transferred there \u2013 a suitable data format must be generated through a series of conversion steps.<\/p>\n

This data format must meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n