Mates definitely help speed up the digital form finding process.

An example of a wall light and then its transformation into a desktop model.

And then using the same structure to inspire a table, initially too small but slowly growing to have correct proportions.

There are overlaps and several gaps which presents us with a unique opportunity. We can make a small insert module to take up these 1/4-.5" gaps and such or we can follow along with the natural troubleshooting method of our modules by inserting more modules and expanding dimensions until things line up correctly. Fortunately we can more or less cut and past and reorganize until things work but its definitely an interesting design process. You have an intention and find a module which will approximate it but due to its constraints it naturally guides the form into a specific form factor or increment thereof.