Models overview
What the Models API does, prerequisites, quick start, common use cases, and errors.
Overview
The Models API returns download links for a part's CAD data and EDA design files: 3D models and datasheets under /v1/model, and EDA symbols and footprints (KiCad, Altium, OrCAD, and others) under /v1/symbols. Use it when you need to pull a part's mechanical or schematic data into a design tool automatically, without a person visiting Samtec's site to download it by hand.
Prerequisites
Every request needs the Authorization: Bearer <token> and client-app-name headers described in Authentication. All APIs, including this one, are limited to 1,000 requests per second.
Quick start
curl "https://api.samtec.com/models/v1/model/TSW-110-08-T-D?modelFormat=STEP-2.14" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT_TOKEN" \
-H "client-app-name: your-app-name""https://download.traceparts.com/samtec/TSW-110-08-T-D/step-2.14.zip?Expires=1755212400&Signature=Ax92kLp..."The response is a time-limited download URL — fetch it promptly, since it expires. An empty string means no file exists for that part and format combination.
Common use cases
- Pull a footprint into a PCB layout tool. Before placing a connector on a board, call
/v1/symbols/{part}with your tool's format code (e.g.kicad_modv6,altium_native) to get the matching footprint file. - Check availability before offering a download button. Call
/v1/symbols/{part}/existsto know whether a symbol exists for a part before showing a "Download footprint" link in your own UI. - Attach a 3D model or datasheet to a BOM export. Call
/v1/model/{part}withmodelFormat=STEP-2.14orPDFDATASHEETto bundle mechanical data or a datasheet alongside part data pulled from Catalog. - Build a format picker. Call
/v1/model/ModelTypesor/v1/symbols/ModelTypesto list the validmodelFormat/modelFormatCodevalues for a given part, rather than hardcoding them.
Common errors
| Status | Meaning | How to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Missing part number, or an unsupported modelFormat/modelFormatCode value | Confirm the part number is set and the format code is one returned by the matching ModelTypes endpoint. |
| 401 | Missing or invalid JWT | Check the Authorization header — see Authentication. |
| 429 | Rate limit exceeded (1,000 req/s) | Retry with backoff. |
Related APIs
- Catalog — look up a part before fetching its 3D model or footprint.
What's next?
- Models Reference — every endpoint, its parameters, and a live playground.
- Catalog — look up a part before downloading its model.