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Part Discovery

AI to you help find the right parts

TL;DR

Zenode Discovery is our AI-powered catalog search. It lets you search our massive catalog by part number or plain English, uses smart filters and layouts, then let's you directly quiz the documentation directly from the catalog view to make finding the right component faster than ever. It’s free, open, and built for engineers who are doing the designing, not just those who buy.

Introduction

Every electrical engineer knows the (old) drill: you need a part, so you head to a distributor catalog, pick a category, drill into subcategories, start setting filters, then start clicking through the top results to read documents.

It....works? 😅

Zenode's Discovery is a modern take on catalog search. It feels familiar by design, but it’s deeper, broader, and AI-assisted. With one search, you’re looking across millions of components from dozens of sources, and the AI helps you get where you need go much, much faster.

Ways to Search in Discovery

Not all searches start the same way. Discovery supports two of the three main approaches:

1. Direct Part Number

Enter a full part number (e.g., LM317T) and jump straight to that part’s page.

2. General AI Query

Describe what you need in plain English.

  • “3.3V LDO regulator in TO-220”

  • “3-axis accelerometer with I²C, up to 30g”

The AI interprets your intent, applies filters, and shows relevant results. If it’s not perfect the first time, reword the query and try again.

3. Nonsense (What we don’t actually do 😅)

We’re built for electronic components, not consumer goods, GPUs, or economic predictions. Examples of what we don’t handle:

  • “Speakers for a Mazda RX-7”

  • “NVIDIA H200s”

  • “Graph electricity prices in Norway for the next 5 years”

If it's not a part that would show up on DigiKey, Mouser, etc, and it's not made by Texas Instruments, TDK, etc, Zenode is not the right tool 😵.

Natural Language Search: Just say what you want

Legacy catalogs expect you to know exactly what you're looking for before you start. With Zenode Discovery, you just type what you need:

  • “Low-dropout 3.3V regulator in TO-220”

  • “Op amp, low-noise, rail-to-rail, 5V supply”

Zenode figures out the category, applies filters, and brings you results. If it’s wrong, set the filters manually, or tweak your query to try again.

Parametric Filters: Built for modern users

We’ve rebuilt parametric filters from the ground up. No more annoying strings to select, just:

  • Structured input: Enter exact min/max values, not just predefined ranges.

  • Dynamic counts: See immediately how availability shifts as you add filters.

  • Histograms: Spot common values instantly (22kΩ resistors everywhere, 20kΩ not so much).

The AI also uses these filters. So:

  • If you specify them in your query, it applies them automatically.

  • If you over-specify (“levitating accelerometers with 111.1V input”), the AI backs off until results appear.

  • That “backing off” is why some searches take longer than the usual ~20 seconds.

For discovery, this (usually) means you start with a useful result set in seconds, and can refine further if needed.

Layout Options: Parts or Series

Distributor catalogs are designed for purchasing, so they treat every variant equally. That’s fine if you’re buying, but noisy if you’re designing.

  • Series Layout: Groups top variants of a component family together, so you see the core specs first without wading through a dozen package variations that all have the same values

  • Part Layout: Still available if you need every single SKU.

A simple toggle at the top of results lets you switch between them.

Free and Open: No Login Required

Discovery is free. No account required. It uses AI in a lightweight way to match intent and word case similar to a generic google search, unlike our advanced tools which actually dive into the documentation. Those use credits, and currently include:

  • Deep Dive - for datasheet-driven analysis across multiple parts in the discovery view

  • Interactive Parts - on the part page, find what you're looking for in the documentation

In Summary

Discovery is catalog search, evolved:

  • One search, all sources.

  • Natural language instead of category trees.

  • Filters designed for real-world engineering.

  • Layouts that cut down on noise.

  • Free, open, and fast.

It keeps what works from traditional catalogs, just removes all the friction!

Zenode Discovery FAQs
Everything you need to know about searching and refining parts in Zenode.
Do I need an account to use Discovery?
Nope, it’s free and open. An account gets you access to the advanced AI features, like Deep Dive and interactive documents
How is Discovery different from Deep Dive?
Discovery is about finding parts quickly. Deep Dive is about analyzing them in detail using the AI.
What if I type something that isn’t a component?
Zenode will still try, but you’ll get bad results. Discovery is for electronic components only. 😇
Why did my search take a full minute?
That happens when the AI has to relax filters step by step because the original query was too specific.
Can I buy parts directly through Zenode?
Nope! Discovery is about finding parts. Purchasing happens through distributors.
How many parts are actually in Zenode’s catalog?
Millions more than any single distributor, because we merge data from dozens of distributors AND include as many manufacturers as we can.
How often is the catalog updated?
As often as our 7 person team can manage! Usually monthly.
Does Discovery understand abbreviations and engineering shorthand?
Usually. You can type LDO, uC, SOT-23, or 3V3 and the AI knows what you mean.
What if I want to save or share a search?
Like the interactive documents, every search has its own URL. They're private by default, so while you can load them, you'll need to hit the share button before sending it to others
Does Discovery cover non-electronic parts like enclosures, heatsinks, or tools?
Mostly no. We focus on electronic components you’d expect in distributor catalogs—ICs, passives, connectors, etc. For that reason, mechanical parts are only lightly represented.
What’s the difference between Zenode Discovery and just using DigiKey, Mouser, etc?
So much! Discovery searches across all of them at once using natural language and filters that don't rely on strings. From there, you can use AI to get you to the right parts faster. Plus, our UI wasn't originally designed for the Netscape browser 😜.
How do I make sure I land in the right category?
Assuming you wound up here because it failed with your first query (😅), it's usually because your query is too general, so try being more specific. Instead of 'amplifier,' try 'low-noise op amp, 5V supply, rail-to-rail.'
How can I get the AI to apply the right filters automatically?
Include filter-like values in your query: 'LDO, 3.3V output, TO-220' will set voltage and package filters for you. Pro Tip, always double-check them before moving on.
I've made changes to the filters, why aren't the results reflecting them?
9/10 times it's because you haven't hit 'apply' down below. If you have, please hit up support!
What’s the best way to find the most common / available part values?
Use the histograms in parametric filters. They show at a glance which values are plentiful (22kΩ) versus rare (20kΩ).
How do I avoid over-specifying my query?
Results usually get slim after 4 specifications. Too many details can overwhelm the AI. If you’re stuck, simplify the query.
How do I know if I’ve found the 'best' part?
The eternal question that we're determined to answer. If you figure it out, hit up support@zenode.ai for unlimited free credits 😉