Video Demonstration: The Value of a Search Engine for 3D Models

Have you ever wondered: “Is there a search engine for 3D models?” It seems there is. And, it can be valuable to machine shops and manufacturers as well as product designers.

Cincinnati, Ohio’s Physna aims to bridge the gap between physical objects and digital code by analyzing CAD models and other 3D models to create a codified representation of a model — the “physical DNA” of that model. This digitized model enables Physna to show the detailed similarities and differences between models — even incomplete models or those with different file formats — as well as see all components in complex assemblies including parts contained in other parts.

In other words, it uses artificial intelligence to break down the structure of 3D models, analyzes them and determines how models are related to each other. The goal is to save engineering and product design teams many hours per person per year, reduce procurement costs, and enable anyone to immediately recognize parts and how they can be used.

But, machining operations can also benefit through faster quoting and tooling creation.

Because it is challenging to capture and describe all the aspects of this technology in an article, I had the following discussion with Matt Johnson, Physna application engineer, who not only explained its value but also provided a demonstration showing ways designers and manufacturers might use it: