Fabrica 2.0 machine is a nano 3D printer. The physical machine (Industrial Design) was also designed by TENA studio. The Fabrica 2.0 has an integrated screen with a dedicated system to control the machine. The client asked for a complete redesign of the system including fitting the new screen to flow more seamlessly with the machine.
Role:
User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping & Testing
Industry:
Nano 3D printer
Duration:
2020-2024
Overview
I joined TENA studio as a Product Designer about 2 months before the project began. TENA studio was founded by two Industrial Designers integrating two disciplines - Industrial Design & UX/UI. I joined the studio right after they assembled the first designed machine.
Challenges
Key Issues We Wanted to Solve:
Screen Placement & Orientation: A full HD 21” screen in a vertical orientation was the most efficient choice, preserving the machine’s aesthetics. The unusual orientation created an exciting opportunity to rethink the interface.
User Expertise & Bias: The company primarily sells single units, and most operators receive specific training. While they know the machine inside out, they are also biased by the current terminology, interface, and workflows.
Interface Structure: The current UI lacks hierarchy, clustering all available operations together.
Progress Estimation Challenge: Since SLA technology doesn’t provide a visual reference, users struggle to correlate percentage-based progress with the physical state of the model.
Guidance vs. Experience: The printing preparation and maintenance processes can be complex without training. There needs to be enough guidance for new users without disrupting experienced operators.
My Approach
Due to the shortage of trained operators, we conducted research using multiple methods:
Operator Interviews: Identified current needs and pain points.
SLA 3D Printer Owner Interviews: Explored common challenges across different machines, including lower-cost models.
User Journey & Printing Process Analysis: Reviewed interactions with both the physical machine and the existing interface to uncover unclear flows.

Key Insights from the Analysis
User Types: We identified three main user groups—on-location operators, company maintenance operators, and advanced service operators.
Lack of Interface Hierarchy: All users had full control over the machine.
Disconnect Between Physical and Digital Tasks: The interface didn’t align with the operator’s physical workflow.
Hidden Machine States: Critical backend states affecting printability, motor control, and parameter adjustments were not visible in the UI.
Overly Technical Language: The interface was cluttered with terminology only internal R&D teams understood.
No 3D Model Visibility: Users couldn’t view the model before, during, or after printing.
Conclusion
The Fabrica 2.0 3D printer, featuring its new interface, was showcased at Formnext 2021, receiving high engagement from participants.
Designing an interface deeply integrated with a physical machine was a steep learning curve. Many digital UX ideas required extensive physical development, adding complexity to implementation.
The limited number of users—most of whom were already familiar with the machine—was both a comfort and a challenge. Observing professionals versus non-operators highlighted the need for a user journey that made printing and maintenance accessible even for first-time users.
Strategic Prioritization was key. Working with a startup meant balancing resources and development effort effectively. Our role was to define which interface elements were critical at each development phase, ensuring a stable and user-friendly experience while aligning with the company’s fast-paced environment.
