Contributing a part to the Common Parts Index
The Common Parts Index is a public catalog of spare part models — curated, structured, and maintained to help people repair the objects they own. Anyone can contribute. Some parts are hosted directly on Common Parts; others are referenced here with a link to the original platform. This guide explains what we accept, how to submit, and what happens after.
What we accept
A part is eligible for the Index if it meets the following conditions.
It contributes to repairability.
The part must serve a functional purpose in keeping an object in use — whether it replaces a broken component, reinforces a known weak point, or improves a design flaw that causes recurring failures. Purely decorative or cosmetic parts are not eligible. Aftermarket upgrades that genuinely improve longevity are welcome.
It targets a real, identifiable product.
The part must be associated with at least one commercial product — a known brand and a specific model or product range. Generic parts with no defined product target are not eligible for now. A part can be compatible with multiple products.
It has a known license and identifiable author.
The original model must be published under a known license and attributed to an identifiable author — a name or pseudonym with a link to the original publication. Anonymous republications without a traceable source are not accepted.
For hosted parts — where the file is stored and served directly by Common Parts — the license must be open: CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, MIT, or GPL. If you are the original author and the model has no license, you can declare one at submission.
For referenced parts — where the file stays on the original platform and we link to it — any license is accepted, including NC, ND, or proprietary licenses. Since Common Parts only links to the file and does not redistribute it, these restrictions do not apply.
The file is usable.
We accept STL, OBJ, STP, and STEP formats. The file must be openable and geometrically sound — not corrupted, not arbitrarily scaled. For referenced parts, the file must be accessible at the source URL at the time of submission.
What we do not accept
- Decorative or cosmetic parts with no repair function
- Repair tools (a tool that helps you repair something is not a spare part)
- Parts with no identifiable product target
- Models under CC NC or CC ND licenses hosted directly on Common Parts — these licenses are incompatible with file redistribution. They may still be added as referenced parts.
- Files that cannot be opened or are manifestly broken
- Verbatim republications of an already-indexed model from the same source with no added value
Multiple versions of the same part for the same product are welcome — different materials, different print settings, alternative designs. Variety is useful.
Verification status
Every part in the Index carries a verification status reflecting the level of evidence available.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Unverified | The file exists and meets our criteria, but no print confirmation is available yet |
| Author-tested | The original author confirmed the part was printed and fits |
| Community-validated | One or more independent users confirmed a successful print and fit |
| Certified | Reviewed and validated by the Common Parts team or a trusted partner network |
How to submit
If you are publishing an original model you designed
- Upload your file via Common Parts Access
- Declare the license you want to apply
- Fill in the product metadata and print settings
- If you have printed and tested the part yourself, mark it as author-tested
If you are curating an open-license model from another platform
Use this flow for models published under CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, MIT, or GPL. The file will be hosted on Common Parts.
- Find the original publication (Printables, Thingiverse, GitHub, etc.)
- Confirm the license is open (see above)
- Submit via Common Parts Access — paste the source URL, select Curated from an external source, and choose Host file
- Review the pre-filled fields and complete what is missing
- Add the product metadata: brand, model(s), and category
- Add print settings if you have them — infill, supports, recommended material
If you are referencing a model published under a restrictive license
Use this flow for models published under NC, ND, or other non-open licenses. The file stays on the original platform — Common Parts hosts the metadata and links to the source.
- Find the original publication and confirm it is publicly accessible
- Submit via Common Parts Access — paste the source URL, select Curated from an external source, and choose Link to source
- Review the pre-filled fields and complete what is missing
- Add the product metadata: brand, model(s), and category
After submission
Once submitted, the part goes through a brief curation review. We check that all required fields are present, the license is valid, and the file is in order. Parts that pass review are published immediately. Parts with missing information are flagged — you will be able to see which fields need attention.
We do not modify your model or its metadata without contacting you. Attribution is permanent and public.
Questions
If you are unsure whether a part qualifies, or if you want to contribute in bulk (for example, as a Repair Café importing a set of validated models), contact us at contact@commonparts.org.