Meet Our Partners: Mikrotvornica (Croatia)

Up next in our Meet Our Partners series is Patricija Kunc, PR and Marketing Manager in Croatia. As one of the co-founders of Mikrotvornica, she uses her background in psychology to market 3D printing technology to a broad spectrum of clients in different industries, and to scope out new, exciting applications for the future. 

When, how, and why was your company founded?

“3DPrintaj is a special product, made by our company Mikrotvornica, for educational purposes and purchasing 3D printing equipment and accessories. Its sole purpose is the quality implementation of FDM/FFF 3D printing technologies for companies, public institutions and private users.

Our company was founded in 2017, when Abigail O’Brien from Dublin, Ireland ordered a 3D printed statue of 1 metre and 90 centimetres high – human size! Since we wanted to produce this statue for her, we had to make our 3D printing equipment in order to do so. And so, our first project was making three of these statues, one of which we shipped from Croatia to be put on exhibition in Ashford Gallery in Dublin. You can now find this female golfer statue exhibited in a golf club in Spain!

This project was really inspiring for us, and since we are now developing FDM printing, this challenge was what got us on the right track, and we began producing similar projects combining FDM and other 3D printing technologies.”

Where does your love for 3D printing come from?

“I’m originally a psychologist, while our other co-founder Nikola was in the faculty of mechanical engineering and naval architecture in Zagreb. He made his first 3D printer for his master’s degree and he was very interested in 3D printing technologies, especially FDM. I was inspired by his love of 3D printing to bring the technology closer to the wider public.

My love for 3D printing comes from my interest in applications, and the quality of these applications, whereas Nikola focuses more on the facilitation of the 3D printing process… so we are a dream team! We work together very well, as we each have different interests and perspectives. I always ask, ‘What does it do? How does it function? What is the final product?’ Whereas Nikolas is thinking ‘How can we make it better and stronger with a more efficient process?’.”

Why did you choose to work with us at BCN3D?

“One of the first printers we had was a BCN3D Sigma R19. We’d just started our business, and we were amazed at how robust it was, at the IDEX system and the high quality parts we were able to produce compared to other printers. 

Putting everything on paper, BCN3D made it into the category of best companies. The Open Source system of your industrial machines is really cool! You’re always focused on innovation and progress, to make more and more functional and industrial 3D printers. We also love the Smart Cabinet and its system.

We’re very happy with our communication, and the way you help and guide us through the process. It means a lot to our team so thank you for that! We believe that BCN3D has a great team and products, and we look forward to continuing printing with your printers.”

To whom would you recommend our 3D printers and why? 

“I would recommend your 3D printers to companies that want to facilitate their production process with a series of products so that they can make more parts in less time with the independant dual extrusion system. Also, so that they can make functional prototypes, high-end parts and spare parts. Here in Croatia, industrial plants are creating spare parts with BCN3D printers for cost efficiency.

I would also recommend your printers to faculties in the educational field.”

How do you see the future of 3D Printing? 

“I like this question a lot, because I love to think about the future. My answer is connected to the question on where my love for 3D printing comes from… well, it comes from my love for the future!

For me, the future of 3D printing will bring advanced 3D modelling options with generative design. From experience with some of our clients, we found that 3D modelling is the step that needs to be improved upon. With generative design and more advanced 3D modelling systems, it will be easier to produce high-end parts at a faster production rate, compared to today when a human has to input all the data into the computer. 

Also, superior materials would take the 3D printing industry to another level to continue expanding on applications.”

The next time you visit our offices in Barcelona, what can we get you for a drink?  

“Gin and tonic!”