Modular Filament Rack System

This project aimed to develop a strong, efficient rack system that uses significantly less filament than other currently available options. The system consists of multiple parts that allow you to stack shelves horizontally, vertically, and back-to-back if desired.

Available Components:

• Shelf Base: The base of each shelf.
• Shelf Top: The top of a shelf. DO NOT print these for each shelf in your rack. These are only needed to complete the very top of your rack.
• Shelf Connectors:
  • Single Corner: Connects a rear shelf corner to another rear shelf corner vertically
  • Single Corner for Shelf Opening: Connects a front shelf corner to another front shelf corner vertically. This connector doesn’t include the clips on one side to allow for the shelf face to be completely open and allow for sliding spools, spool boxes, and drawers in and out of the shelf. Both the left and right connectors print on the same plate.
  • Double Corner: Connects two rear shelf corners both horizontally and vertically.
  • Double Corner for Shelf Opening: Connects two rear shelf corners both horizontally and vertically. This connector doesn’t include the clips on one side to allow for the shelf face to be completely open and allow for sliding spools, spool boxes, and drawers in and out of the shelf.
  • Quadruple Corner: Connects four rear shelf corners both horizontally and vertically. This bracket allows you to place two stacks of shelves back to back if desired.
  • Shelf Clip: Connects two shelves. This can be used to connect any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal section of a shelf to another shelf. Useful for connecting the lower part of each bottom shelf of your rack, making the structure more sturdy. It can also be used anywhere you feel your structure needs more support between shelves.
• Shelf Drawer: The drawer is for those who need storage for miscellaneous parts and pieces. Useful for loose packages of hardware and smaller boxes of parts and pieces that came with your 3D printer. The drawer is printed in parts that combine using corner connectors.
  • Drawer Base: The bottom part of the drawer.
  • Drawer Front: The face of the drawer. Notched out on the top of the drawer, allowing for the drawer to be pulled out easily.
  • Drawer Back: The back side of the drawer.
  • Drawer Side: The side of the drawer. Both sides are the exact same and printed on the same plate.
  • Drawer Corner Connector: Connects and holds the entire drawer together. The fit is very snug and doesn’t require an adhesive to hold the drawer together. All connectors for a single drawer print on the same plate.
  • Drawer Guide: Connects to the left and right interior of the Shelf Base, allowing the drawer to slide smoothly. The drawer can collide with the structure of the Shelf Base while sliding inward if the guides are not used. Both drawer guides needed for a shelf print on the same plate.

Total filament use for each part:

• Shelf Base: 38.45 g
• Shelf Top: 21.91 g
• Shelf Connectors:
  • Single Corner: 1.86 g
  • Single Corner for Shelf Opening: 1.77 g
  • Double Corner: 2.98 g
  • Double Corner for Shelf Opening: 2.90 g
  • Quadruple Corner: 4.69 g
  • Shelf Clip: 0.96 g
• Shelf Drawer:
  • Drawer Base: 32.18 g
  • Drawer Front: 28.88 g
  • Drawer Back: 30.79 g
  • Drawer Side: 27.30 g
  • Drawer Corner Connector: 1.70 g
  • Drawer Guide: 3.87 g

The photos in this post show my current 2-column, 14-shelf rack, which I plan to expand as needed. I printed it with PLA, and it feels strong and sturdy. Below, you'll find a list of everything I used for this 14-shelf setup, including the total filament used:

Shelves:

• 14 x Shelf Base (538.30 g)
• 2 x Shelf Top (43.82 g)
• 14 x Single Corner (26.04 g)
• 14 x Single Corner for Shelf Opening (24.78 g)
• 7 x Double Corner (20.86 g)
• 7 x Double Corner for Shelf Opening (20.30 g)
• 2 x Shelf Clip (1.92 g)

Drawer:

• 1 x Drawer Base (32.18 g)
• 1 x Drawer Front (28.88 g)
• 1 x Drawer Back (30.79 g)
• 2 x Drawer Side (54.60 g)
• 8 x Drawer Corner Connector (13.60 g)
• 2 x Drawer Guide (7.74 g)

Shelves Total: 676.02 g

Drawer Total: 167.79 g

Grand Total: 843.81 g

I'd love to see your finished rack system! If you print it, please share photos of your final setup. I'm always curious to see how people use it, especially how tall and wide you decide to make yours.