# Parametric design in FreeCAD to design a 3d printable shelf

**URL:** https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/parametric-design-in-freecad-to-design-a-3d-printable-shelf/7372
**Category:** Computer Aided Design (CAD)
**Tags:** freecad
**Created:** [June 7, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/parametric-design-in-freecad-to-design-a-3d-printable-shelf/7372 "2023-06-07T18:28:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Geit](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/forum.makewithtech.com/geit/32/44_2.png) [@Geit](https://forum.makewithtech.com/u/Geit)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.makewithtech.com/t/parametric-design-in-freecad-to-design-a-3d-printable-shelf/7372/1 "2023-06-07T18:28:23Z")

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I just came up with the idea of creating a simple shelf for figurines and small items.

While designing my part I added more and more parametric stuff and in the end it is a shelf with hidden dowel connectors. But I did not stop there and made the number of polygons parametric.

So you want a triangle shaped construct as a shelf. Just set the faces to 3. Hexagon? Use 6.

I already printed a miniature of a triangle shelf to test the interlocking mechanism and as you can see it works like a charm. Since I wanted a test print, I choose a miniature triangle shelf, but even so I printed in ABS, it came out nicely.

 ![PoligonShelf_2](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/5/5fe580d83a02a78d97bfefd1e1d2b241969985d5.jpeg)

As you can see the default sizes of the interlocking mechanism are not scaled. However you can change parameters to increase the e.g. screw hole or the interlocking slot, too.

 ![PoligonShelf_1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/makewithtech/original/2X/9/97dc739206298bdc2a19231c79c5c320e0d00898.jpeg)

If you want to play with the design here is the FreeCAD source file. I used the RealThunder branch, but I did not do any special operation, so it should be compatible:

[PolygonShelf.FCStd](https://forum.makewithtech.com/uploads/short-url/umK1j807oRPEXaF6iXtOqx7JKCZ.FCStd) (99.2 KB)

Please let me know if you liked it or even made a useful print out of it.