Below is a rough outline of how these features might be implemented:

📦 External Parts Search Integration Guide

Integrate real-time electronic parts search and import features into your wire harness design tool. This feature enables users to find and add manufacturer-verified parts directly to the internal library.wh_lib component database.

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🎯 Goals

• Search: Enable part lookup via keywords, MPN, or category.
• Preview: Display real-time part data (image, specs, pricing, etc.).
• Import: Let users import part metadata into your library structure.
• Maintain: Support multiple sources with fallback and rate limiting.

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🔌 Data Source APIs

Octopart API

• URL: https://octopart.com/api/v4/
• Auth: API key (free tier available)
• Features: Rich metadata, pricing, distributor links, datasheets
• Docs: https://octopart.com/api/

Findchips API

• URL: https://findchips.com/api/
• Auth: API key
• Features: Pricing aggregation, stock info
• Docs: https://findchips.com/api/

Digi-Key API

• URL: https://developer.digikey.com/
• Auth: OAuth2 (requires approval)
• Features: Search, pricing, datasheets
• free tier allows 1000 searches / day

Mouser API

• URL: https://api.mouser.com/
• Auth: API key
• Features: Part search and detail lookup

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🌐 Backend Proxy Architecture

Avoid exposing API keys to the frontend by routing all external API calls through a backend proxy.

Example Node.js (Express) Route

app.get('/api/parts-search', async (req, res) => {
  const { query } = req.query;
  const response = await fetch(`https://octopart.com/api/v4/parts/search?q=${query}&apikey=YOUR_KEY`);
  const data = await response.json();
  res.json(data);
});

Proxy Server Responsibilities

• Handle API authentication (keys, OAuth)
• Rate limit and cache requests
• Normalize results from multiple sources

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🧠 Frontend Integration

UI Components

• Search Input: Keyword or MPN with debounce
• Result Panel: Shows name, MPN, manufacturer, preview image, specs, pricing, datasheet
• Import Button: Maps selected part into library.wh_lib

Example Component Import Format

{
  "type": "connector_shell",
  "mpn": "TE-282834-2",
  "manufacturer": "TE Connectivity",
  "name": "Superseal 2 Position",
  "datasheet": "https://www.te.com/...pdf",
  "footprint": "2pos_superseal.stp",
  "price": {
    "1": 0.93,
    "100": 0.74
  },
  "distributors": {
    "digikey": "https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/.../123456",
    "mouser": "https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/.../654321"
  }
}

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🗂 Mapping to library.wh_lib

Create a part mapping module that translates external part data into your internal component schema. Fields may include:

• mpn, manufacturer, description
• component_type (e.g., terminal, connector, shell)
• package, footprint, library_name
• datasheet_url, distributor_links
• price_tiers, available_stock

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🧪 Optional Enhancements

• 🔁 Recent Search History
• ⭐ Favorite Parts / Preferred Distributors
• 💵 Price Comparison Table
• 📎 Attach STEP / footprint files
• 🧠 Auto-category detection (via Octopart taxonomy)

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⚠️ Implementation Notes

• Caching: Store common lookups (e.g. Redis, localStorage)
• Rate Limiting: Use throttling on both client and server
• Error Handling: Fallback gracefully across APIs
• Licensing: Ensure TOS compliance for each API

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✅ Summary Workflow

1. User searches for part
2. Backend fetches data from Octopart / Mouser / etc.
3. Frontend displays parts with import preview
4. User clicks "Import" → component added to library.wh_lib

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📎 Resources

• Octopart API Docs
• Digi-Key Developer Portal
• Mouser API
• Findchips API