A simple support structure is designed to hold iron plates measuring 27x20 in size. The design utilizes both 27x20x2 and 27x20x4.8 stainless steel square plates, with each layer set at a height of 135–140 mm—depending on the thickness of the upper iron plate.

While the first print requires two separate frames, subsequent layers—including the four rising columns plus one additional frame—can be printed in a single build using the a1mini printer. If only a single layer is needed, the bottom frame can be omitted entirely.

Note: This design is not suitable for iron plates larger than 27x20.

Assembling the frame can be a bit tricky when it comes to the long sides—hand‑pressing may not always fully secure them. I found it easier to place a towel over the assembly and gently tap it into place with a rubber mallet; the short sides, however, can be easily pressed into position by hand.

We recommend starting with the long sides first.

The column files are provided in STEP format, allowing users to adjust the column lengths as needed. If you’d like to tighten the fit even further, feel free to modify the dimensions accordingly.

The recommended print settings use PETG; I’ve also tested PLA—and the gray parts shown in the images are made from Fangtu’s matte PLA, so PLA should work just fine too.

For the stainless steel plates, simply opt for the more affordable options available.

I built a five‑layer structure, which turned out quite well—it’s remarkably stable. Beyond that height, I couldn’t reach the top, so I didn’t push any further.

Why use iron plates? Well, thanks to my 88VIP membership, I received a 2‑yuan coupon every day. When I wasn’t sure what to buy, I decided to head over to Taofactory to pick up some iron plates. Taofactory’s daily check‑in used to reward users with a 0.1‑yuan bonus(though this feature has since been discontinued—Taobao has shut down the Taofactory check‑in program). After applying the 2‑yuan coupon, I could snag an iron plate for just under 60 cents. During Double 11, I even managed to purchase several plates for free! Iron plates are great for holding printed part models—they’re sturdy and easy to stack, though laying them flat does take up quite a bit of space, so I ended up building a vertical rack to store them neatly. (To be honest, it’s mostly because my family won’t let me keep cardboard boxes around—apparently they give off an odor. I’ve already sold off all the airplane boxes I’d been saving for scrap, so stainless steel plates are my only option now… sigh.)

Here are the plates I purchased: