Shelf for Vinyls, Books, Etc.

I am making a multimedia shelf for books, vinyl records, and anything else that could fit as my long-term project in Engineering 2.

I used Fusion 360 to create multiple CAD models and a CNC router setup to cut my materials to prepare for the forthcoming manufacturing process.

This shelf was mainly conceptualized with a vinyl shelf in mind, but the final design is built to hold vinyls, books, and miscellaneous items at the bottom of the shelf. After conceptualizing and looking over resources, the project underwent some changes to fit new parameters and goals.

x1 4’x8’ AC 23/32” Plywood Home Depot (Preferred 23/32"+ if making furniture)

1. Wood Glue
2. Nail Gun
3. Palm Sander
4. CNC Router

My first step in conceptualizing the project was a lengthy process of measuring my room and my other furniture, and idealizing the right piece of furniture capable of holding the items I wished. I started by following a design from Amazon, and later began conceptualizing with a bookshelf in mind.

Realizing what was capable with the resources I had purchased, new ideas of how I could create my project began to sprout. When the piece arrived, the time frame had become quite short, leading me to conceptualize again, and in the end, I chose the simpler design.

After choosing which concept sketch I'd use for my project, I opened Fusion 360 and confirmed that the shelf was possible on the plywood I had purchased. After even more drafting, I found out the perfect lengths of each cut of the wood and how each piece would be put together to make the project work. After confirming all dimensions had worked alongside the build, I prepared my sketch for a Fusion setup for it to be cut on the CNC router.

The embedded links below show both of the fusion files, the setup as well as the actual build itself.

Upload your CNC router setup on a flash drive and plug the drive into the router to begin cutting.

I selected my file, and with some assistance from other students in the class, the router began to cut the pieces as seen in the first photo. In about 10 minutes, the piece was cut and prepared for the manufacturing process.

After gathering all of the pieces together, I started the manufacturing process. I sanded the pieces to prepare them for the build later.

Before gluing and nailing together, ensure the pieces are the right size and that they fit together. I glued the edges of each piece and nailed the frame together (as seen in the second and third photos.

To put the two shelves in the frame, use a straight edge or blue tape to ensure the shelves are of even lengths and the correct height to fit the items you wish for.

I was left with some wood sticking out on the side of the shelf due to problems I faced earlier with the CNC router. I used a power tool (not sure the name) to get rid of the jagged edges on the side of the build.

After manufacturing, the project was essentially done, other than finishing touches, such as further sanding or painting to finalize the project.

When facing the engineering process for this project, I believe you will learn many things about manufacturing processes, CAD, how certain machines work, and what engineering field would interest you.

A majority of the mistakes made in this process were with the CNC router setup. The pieces had been cut too short at a certain point during the router's process, and I believe the problem was due to a last-minute change from a 1/4" to a 1/2" cut right before the CNC router had started.

Considering the mistakes and miscalculations of past engineers at Morro Bay High School, this process can be made shorter and easier for future Engineering students.

Even if the finished product isn't exactly up to standard or necessarily perfect, it leads you on a solo journey through whatever engineering field you choose and lets you explore individually.

As an idea, this project was a practical, simple, and instructive tool for learning the engineering process in a solo project. I find it very important to find a project you're passionate about, and I believe that finding a project you have the drive to make is important for the whole process.