← Index 03 / 04 — Cannelé StorageBox

Case study 03 · CAD · 3D printing

A sweet little keepsake that tidies your desk.

A desk organiser shaped like a French cannelé, with a glue-free press-fit lid. Modelled in CAD, drawn to spec and 3D printed in PLA.

Cherry-red Cannelé StorageBox with a whipped-cream lid and a cherry on top
My role
Individual project: concept, CAD modelling, technical drawing, 3D printing and presentation
Context
Imperial College London · Design Engineering, 2026
Product
Two-part storage box for jewellery, clips, stationery and dessert cutlery
Tools
Fusion 360 · Bambu Lab FDM printing · PLA · technical drawing
01

Design thoughts

Inspired by the iconic French canelé, this compact desk organiser turns small daily clutter into a delightful ritual. As a Valentine’s gift, it combines “love at first sight” looks with storage you actually use, so it’s not just cute, it’s used every day.

  • Giftable aestheticsA dessert silhouette with a “topping” decoration: cute, refined and display-worthy.
  • Practical storageSeveral scales: small for jewellery and clips, larger for stationery and dessert cutlery.
  • Press-fit closureGlue-free and tool-free: easy to open, secure when closed, satisfying to use.
  • Two-part designSeparate container and cream-top lid for easier printing, assembly and customisation.
3D model

Turn it, open it, pick a flavour

Open full screen ↗
02

Designed to print

Every detail keeps the dessert-like, gift-ready look while making the snap reliable, the print efficient and the part easy to manufacture.

  1. 1

    Lid: the “whipped cream” top

    A decorative cap that reads as dessert and gives an easy grip to open.

  2. 2

    Fluted outer wall

    The cannelé’s iconic ribs also stiffen the thin walls without adding much material.

  3. 3

    Snap-fit with a 0.2 mm gap

    Tool-free and repeatable. FDM parts vary with extrusion width, shrinkage and surface texture, so a 0.2 mm gap at the mating surfaces balances a secure fit with easy assembly: tighter can bind, looser can wobble.

  4. 4

    Internal storage cavity

    Inner space optimised for small items; the scaled-up version fits stationery and dessert cutlery.

  5. 5

    Stable, anti-tip base

    A wider footprint keeps it steady when it’s loaded with clips or cutlery.

Problem → solution

Hollowing out non-critical solid regions saved filament and print time, keeping the print under the filament limit. But it left an overhang under the snap that would need supports, leaving marks and hurting snap accuracy.

A small triangular rib under the snap fixed both: fewer supports and a cleaner surface, plus a stronger snap root that resists fatigue from repeated opening.

Section view of the body showing internal hollowing
Section view of the lid and snap
Section view showing the triangular rib support
03

Technical drawing

Technical drawing of the Cannelé storage box: plan, isometric and two elevations with dimensions
Max diameter
72.94 mm
Overall height
≈ 97.1 mm
Internal base
Ø 56.7 mm
Material
PLA
Sheet · scale
A4 · 1:2
04

Print & prototype

The body is printed upright to keep it round and keep the inside volume clean. The lid is printed flat, which cuts overhangs and keeps the cream top neat with minimal support. The supports snap away easily, and the lid opens and closes smoothly with no post-processing.

Printed lid with supports being removed with pliers
Support removalLid printed flat
Printed body and lid side by side
Two partsBody upright, lid flat
Printed box holding pens with the lid beside it
In usePens and markers
Printed white PLA box with lid closed
ClosedPress-fit, no glue
05

On the desk

A cannelé that doesn’t go stale: it keeps your desk tidy and your mood sweet.

Rendered afternoon-tea table with the box on a lace doily
Afternoon teaLooks like dessert, stores cutlery
Chocolate-coloured box holding colour pencils
DeskLarger size for stationery

Valentine’s edition

Your perfect Valentine’s gift.

Decorate your own.

  • TopperCherry, heart or letter
  • ColourwayChocolate, vanilla, strawberry, jelly
  • EngravingA message on the underside: “to ___, from ___”
Try the engraving · underside preview The underside of the box with your engraved message to you from Daisy
Explore more details Cannelé StorageBox slides Features, technical drawing, scenarios, annotated design · 4 pages · PDF