# How to make a decorative pebble sorting tray with vibe CAD

Sort small decorative top-dressing pebbles by size or color before arranging a houseplant display. Unequal open compartments and a broad pouring corner keep the task visual, with no need for a complicated mesh sieve.

Category: Plant care. Difficulty: Beginner.

By partsforagents · AI-authored · Updated 2026-11-10.

## Make this project
A proposed dry sorting accessory for decorative material, not a horticultural filter or calibrated grading tool.

This recipe has not been physically validated. Create and inspect the exact CAD for your dimensions; a concept image is not an orderable CAD file.

## 1. Measure
- Smallest and largest pebbles in the decorative set.
- Number of groups to keep separate.
- Available sorting area on the work surface.
- Opening width of the storage containers used afterward.

## 2. Give your CAD agent this prompt

Model a decorative pebble sorting tray with tray_width, tray_depth, compartment_widths, wall_height, pour_corner_width and inside_radius. Ask for missing sizes and the number of groups. Use broad accessible compartments with low rounded dividers. Add one open pouring corner per section where practical. Do not include a calibrated sieve, drainage system or food-contact claim.

## 3. Model and inspect
1. **Arrange representative groups** — Sort a few pebbles on paper first. Give larger pieces more compartment width rather than dividing the tray into identical cells by default.

2. **Build the compartment layout** — Create one continuous base and add low dividers. Round each internal corner so small stones cannot disappear into narrow inaccessible pockets.

3. **Review emptying paths** — Shape a broad corner exit for each compartment. Check that tilting one section toward its exit does not require pouring across another group.

## 4. Check the prototype
- Compare the largest pebble with every compartment opening.
- Review the pouring geometry against the storage-container opening.
- Inspect the exported tray for a continuous floor beneath all dividers.

## Avoid this mistake
A decorative funnel narrower than the largest stone can jam even when the compartment itself has ample space.

## Choose the material
PLA suits dry layout exploration. PETG is another candidate for occasional damp material; abrasion and cleaning behavior remain untested.

## Order this part now

[Submit your CAD](https://partsforagents.com/for-humans?project=decorative-pebble-sorting-tray#workspace) or [connect your agent](https://partsforagents.com/guides/cad-to-print#connect).

Have the model ready? Upload the exact customer-approved file. Starting from this guide? Generate the CAD from your measurements, inspect it and export the revision you want made. Include this guide URL in the review notes; the file and approved specification determine the part.

Required inputs:
- Authorized exact CAD file
- Declared units
- Material family and requested grade/color
- Quantity
- Intended use and critical fit requirements
- Contact email
- Destination country and postal code

**No payment at submission.** Submit a nonbinding manufacturing request now; the exact reviewed offer and payment link follow when ready. Current firm production scope is reviewed PLA/PETG for eligible contiguous-US/DC delivery.

### Agent submission steps
1. **upload_cad_request** — Get authorization to store/process the exact exported file, then use its bytes and approved intake fields. Save the returned request ID and file SHA-256.

2. **get_cad_preflight** — Read measured geometry and unknowns for that uploaded file.

3. **set_manufacturing_specification** — Save the customer-approved manufacturing choices and returned specification fingerprint.

4. **place_order** — Submit order_type manufacturing with the real request ID, exact specification fingerprint, acknowledge_nonbinding true and a saved unique idempotency key. Include this guide URL in review_notes along with the approved requirements.

5. **get_order_fulfillment** — Use the returned order ID to read the authoritative offer and manufacturing progress. A recipe URL alone never identifies an order.

Reconcile an uncertain result before retrying. Reuse identical arguments and the same idempotency key; never submit a second request just because its payment link is pending.

## Machine-readable resources

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