A common misconception about 3D printing is that it is limited by size, which in some respects I understand. Most printers are under a foot cubed, however many parts can be put together to make much bigger product.

With this project, I wanted to demonstrate the full capability of 3d printers by creating a piece that was unheard of in the desktop manufacturing community. After brainstorming, I thought of creating a bookshelf that had 3d printed joints that supported 2x3 pieces of pine .

Books are often seen as a timeless learning tool that are necessary for growth of knowledge, and with this shelf I think we can all learn something about the ways things are made in today's modern world.

Thingiverse Link

Step 1: Purchase Materials

All of the parts except for the filament can be purchased at your local convince store.

Note: If you don't have a 3D printer, you are able to order prints using 3D hubs. Just upload your file and it will be shipped to you.

Materials:

2 X 8' x 10" pieces of general pine board

2 X 8' x 8" pieces of general pine board

10 X 2" x 3" boards

1 X 1-1/4" wood screws

1 X Minwax Wood Finish (optional)

3 X White PLA 3D Printer Filament

Step 2: Download Fusion 360

This along with all my other design projects are designed in Autodesk Fusion 360. It is a free cloud based modeling software that enables you to develop ideas and into physical products. Click the link below to download a free trial of the software. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Download Fusion 360 for Free!

Step 3: Sketch Side Profile

Here I will sketch the outline of the shelf using lines, rectangles, and fillets. Reference the provided graph above to help with the dimensions. After you, pull the sketch out 1.25 inches. This will be the thickness of the 2”x3” after it is planned. Modify this value to fit the dimensions of your material.

Step 4: Make Small Brackets

I will jump back into the original sketch and draw a quarter inch bracket below the top slat. I will do the same for the other side which is not at an angle. Then by modifying the sketch, I will result in a 1" bracket body.

Step 5: Make Top Brackets

For one last time, I will go into the sketch and offset the top of the shelf. This will allow me to modify the objects into a 3D space, and allow for enough structural integrity. Stop your sketch and use the modify tool to drag out your design to be 1.75 inches thick. Then go ahead and make holes for your two screws. Repeat this process with the right angle bracket.

Step 6: Make Rear Bracket and Shelf

With this last sketch, we will determine the angle your shelves are positioned at. Since I wanted to make it at 70 degrees, I made the vertical angle(kind of) 210 degrees. Once it is drawn, go ahead and extrude it 1 inch.

You will also need to sketch the 4 shelves, which I made 7 feet long.

Step 7: Render (optional)

With Fusion 360, you are able to model and simulate what your design will look like in the real world.

Go ahead and select "Render" in the top left hand corner of your window. Feel free to adjust the environment settings and such. You are able to adjust your material type to get a good visual model of what it will look like. When you are at a good angle and want to capture a high definition photo, go and click "Start In Canvas Render". Once clicked, a bar will appear in the bottom right hand side of the screen. Once it loads to "Excellent" go ahead and save it by clicking on the save button in the top panel. I have attached one of my renders of the shelf above.

Step 8: Make!

My desktop machine of choice is Boxzy CNC. It is a versatile 3 in 1 tool that gives you a new level of possibility that didn't exist before in a 3d printer or desktop CNC machine. I used the Boxzy Lab at Techshop Pittsburgh to produce my parts.

Get free shipping on your Boxzy machine by using code "shelf" at checkout --> https://boxzy.com/

Other than Boxzy, a circular saw, planer, and a hand sander were used to make the bookshelf.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Once I finished assembling the shelf, I was able to set it up and just admire it. I plan to store books and display drawings and other art. Please message me if you have any questions about the process!