Cantilever 3D joint - Geometric version

DESIGN CONCEPT

This joint was developed as a stylistic exploration, focusing on creating a light and visually unconventional structural connection.

The core design challenge was the intention to visually “empty” the corner of the joint by positioning the vertical rods in a cantilevered configuration, creating the impression of a suspended and lighter structure.
 

The joint makes it possible to build a frame composed of rods, while allowing the shelves to rest inside the structure created by the surrounding elements. This generates a clean and minimal visual language, where the supporting system becomes part of the aesthetic identity of the shelving unit.
 

Inside the joint, a small protruding element creates a triangular support surface on which the corner of the shelf rests. When the structure is assembled using four joints, each corner of the panel is supported, keeping the shelf stable and securely positioned within the frame.

The geometry has been carefully optimized for FDM 3D printing, ensuring:

• Good mechanical performance (max load per shelf: 7Kg, with a shelving unit of maximum 5 shelves)
• Lightweight appearance and stable connection between rods
• Easy and intuitive assembly

In the image you can see the dimensions of the joint. These dimensions follow the most common semi-finished wood sizes in the European market.

SPECS & FEATURES

This joint is designed to build modular frame structures using:

• 30 × 30 mm square wooden rods*
• 18-30 mm thick wooden panels*

*(originally based on European wood semi-finished standard measures) 
 

The system allows the creation of lightweight self-supporting shelving configurations (maximum 5 shelves with a max load per shelf of 7Kg), where the shelves are supported and constrained directly by the geometry of the joints and rods. The joint has also a Top version, designed to “close” the shelving structure on the upper top shelf.
In the image below you can see the joint integrated into the shelving structure. 
 

TIPS & TRICKS

 For maximum strength and durability:

• Secure the joints to the panels using wood screws into the dedicated holes (not mandatory, the structure works anyway)*
• Print with 100% infill
• Based on structural analysis, we recommend not exceeding 800 mm plank length

*The joint tolerances have been optimized for a standard wood thickness commonly available on the European market, ensuring strong and stable connections. Screws were introduced as an additional precaution because commercially available wood panels can sometimes present slight dimensional variations (for example, 2.8–2.9 mm instead of the nominal 3.0 mm). These small discrepancies may reduce the effectiveness of the rod connection, whose tolerances were calibrated during the design process, leading to the need of screws.
 

We would love to see your shelves!

If you print this project, share photos of your build and let others see how you used the system.

Happy printing!

Davide & Lorenzo