Internet is full of memes of junior computer programmers looking for solution to their every programming challenge in github repositories. Perhaps mcmastercarr and misumi comes closest to that analogy for us mechanical design engineers. Additionally, unlike programmers we actually need to procure a physical product to build our assemblies, and it better be an off-the-shelf part from design/development time and cost point of view. These 2 websites are first pitstops as soon as we jump behind a computer to realize our hand sketch to an actual design. As someone that has used both platforms close to a decade now, let's look at some high level differences and similarities.
McMaster-Carr and Misumi are both suppliers of industrial and mechanical products, but they have some key differences in their offerings and services.
McMaster-Carr is a well-established company that has been in business for over 100 years (100 YEARS!! I learned that today myself) and has a wide range of products for mechanical design engineers. They offer everything from basic mechanical components such as bearings and gears, to more specialized products like actuators and sensors. They also offer a wide variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. Additionally, they have an easy-to-use and well-organized website, which makes it easy to find the products you need.
Misumi, on the other hand, is a Japanese company that specializes in providing customized mechanical components. They offer a wide range of products, including linear motion products, mechanical components, and industrial automation components. They also offer a variety of customization options, such as custom sizes and shapes, which allows engineers to find the right product for their specific application. Misumi also has a strong focus on CAD/CAM, which allows engineers to easily design and order their products using the company's online configurator.
When it comes to delivery times, McMaster-Carr has a huge inventory of products in stock, which allows them to offer fast delivery times. Misumi, on the other hand, may take longer to deliver as they tend to focus on custom orders.
In terms of pricing, McMaster-Carr is known for providing high-quality products at competitive prices. Misumi, on the other hand, may be slightly more expensive due to their focus on customization and higher-end products.
Their websites are extremely user-friendly, integrated search engines always return results for products you are looking for. Sometimes I even use descriptive words for of mechanical components I forgot their names.
Undoubtedly, the best part though is our ability to download 3D models of almost all mechanical components in all major parametric software formats. If you know what you are looking for, you will have the CAD model open in your program in less than a minute. You made a mistake while defining a size of a feature, no problem, you can download another one right away. In fact, there is no limit to the number of downloads you can make in your lifetime. This unlimited download policy comes to a great aid especially during our concepting phase as our designs evolve continuously until they get to their final form.
In summary, McMaster-Carr is a great resource for mechanical design engineers who need a wide range of industrial and mechanical products, with a focus on stock products and competitive prices. Misumi is a good choice for engineers who need customized mechanical components and are willing to pay a premium for CAD/CAM capabilities and high-end products.
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