# How to make a nursery pot drip tray with vibe CAD

Fit a passive drip tray around an ornamental plant's existing nursery pot. Keep the rim accessible and the pot easy to lift, using measured dimensions instead of a nominal pot size printed on a label.

Category: Plant care. Difficulty: Beginner.

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

## Make this project
An unprinted passive tray for ornamental plants; plant watering remains a separate task.

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
- Pot base diameter and widest diameter near the tray rim.
- Height of any feet or raised drainage features.
- Available shelf footprint around the pot.
- Finger space needed to lift the pot out.

## 2. Give your CAD agent this prompt

Model a shallow round drip tray with pot_base_diameter, pot_rim_diameter, tray_depth, radial_clearance, wall_thickness and inside_radius. Ask for missing measurements and whether the pot tapers. Add a flat floor and accessible rounded corners. Show the pot as a reference body. Do not add a reservoir, wick or automatic watering feature, and do not assume the printed tray is watertight.

## 3. Model and inspect
1. **Capture the pot profile** — Measure both the base and the portion that will sit beside the tray rim. A tapered pot may need more room above its foot.

2. **Revolve the tray section** — Sketch the floor, sidewall and rim in section. Revolve the outline while keeping the inside radius broad enough to wipe clean.

3. **Review access** — Place the pot reference in the tray and check finger access from two sides. Keep drainage openings unobstructed by decorative additions.

## 4. Check the prototype
- Compare a full-size circle template with the pot and shelf.
- Review the rim section for clearance around the tapered pot wall.
- Plan a separate leakage check before using any printed tray on a sensitive surface.

## Avoid this mistake
Matching the advertised pot diameter can overlook a wider molded foot or an outward taper near the tray rim.

## Choose the material
PETG is a candidate for occasional wet contact. Material choice alone does not establish a watertight or outdoor-durable result.

## Order this part now

[Submit your CAD](https://partsforagents.com/for-humans?project=nursery-pot-drip-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

- [This complete guide as JSON](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/nursery-pot-drip-tray/guide.json)
- [All project guides](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/catalog.json)
- [Exact tool schemas](https://partsforagents.com/tools.json)
- Full workflow MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/mcp (authenticated)
- Free advice MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/advice/mcp
- Canonical guide: https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/nursery-pot-drip-tray