Top 10 Trends in 3D Printing at the 2025 TCT Asia Exhibition: Multi-Laser, Large-Scale Printing, Desktop Industrial Machines, Green Laser, and Metal Powders

On the Panda3dp.com website’s [2025TCT] section (nanjixiong.com), hundreds of exhibitors have already released their previews, with a wave of new product announcements on the horizon. After meticulously reviewing and compiling extensive information—our mouse practically smoking from the effort (to access these previews, reply with the keyword "TCT" on the Panda3dp.com WeChat public account)—we have identified several strong predictions for the 2025 TCT Asia event:

1. Rapid Advancement of Multi-Laser Metal 3D Printing  

   Metal 3D printer manufacturers are aggressively launching machines equipped with 8-laser, 10-laser, and even greater configurations—anything less seems almost inadequate. Companies like BLT, Eplus3D, Farsoon, Hanbang Technology, and Rayming are continuously upgrading their multi-laser, large-format machines to accelerate industrial applications. BLT, in particular, has teased a groundbreaking, multi-meter-scale metal 3D printer featuring an unprecedented near-hundred-laser setup. Eplus3D is also poised to unveil a major technological breakthrough, though details remain under wraps for now.

2. Explosion of Green Laser Metal 3D Printing  

   A surge of manufacturers traditionally specializing in red laser metal 3D printing are now introducing green laser versions, targeting high-reflectivity metals such as copper, gold, and silver. This breakthrough is expected to drive applications in aerospace, thermal management, and other high-tech industries. Companies like Xihe Additive, Han’s Laser, Rayming Laser, and BLT are leading the charge in this emerging sector.

3. Lower-Cost Metal 3D Printing Solutions Proliferate  

   Industrial adoption of metal 3D printing is becoming increasingly cost-effective. Factors such as improved printing efficiency, declining metal powder costs, and widespread localization of equipment manufacturing are significantly driving down costs, opening new doors for downstream applications.

4. Metal 3D Printing Powder Production Capacity Surges  

   The production capacity of metal 3D printing powder suppliers—especially for titanium alloys—is skyrocketing. With major consumer electronics giants like OPPO, Apple, and Xiaomi integrating 3D printing into their manufacturing processes, demand is soaring. Leading powder manufacturers, including Sunmaterial, Vilory, Zhongti New Materials, Jinyuan Intelligent, JINWU New Materials, AVIC Maite, Euro-China Technology, and Ningbo Zhongyuan, are all scaling up production. Some are even forecasting capacities in the tens of thousands of tons by 2026—prompting some industry insiders to remark that this feels like a "Great Leap Forward" moment.

5. Rise of Binder Jetting & Inkjet 3D Printing Manufacturers  

   A new wave of manufacturers specializing in binder jetting and inkjet 3D printing is emerging. Some of these companies are offshoots of established 3D printing firms expanding their technological portfolios, while others are newcomers entering the space. These technologies enable an incredibly diverse range of printing materials, including 3D sand mold printing, BJ metal printing, BJ ceramic printing, MJP full-color direct printing, NPJ nano-paste jetting, and MJF high-polymer thermofusion.

6. Industrial-Grade 3D Printing Shrinks to Desktop Size  

   Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and continuous carbon fiber 3D printing are becoming more compact and affordable, with prices dropping dramatically—SLS printers now available for as little as ¥40,000 (~$5,500) and continuous carbon fiber printers as low as ¥20,000 (~$2,800). This marks the beginning of a professional-grade desktop 3D printing revolution, with companies like Anisoprint, Zongheng 3D, Creality, and Phrozen leading the charge. Across the board, the trend is clear: small machines are getting even smaller, while large-format machines continue to expand.

7. AI Begins to Permeate the 3D Printing Industry  

   Artificial intelligence is gradually integrating into various aspects of 3D printing, from equipment operation and material development to 3D modeling, process monitoring, and pre-processing. The era of algorithm-driven manufacturing has officially begun.

8. Multi-Color & High-Speed Printing Becomes Standard for Desktop FDM Machines  

   Major desktop FDM 3D printer manufacturers are rolling out multi-color printing solutions as a standard feature. The use of inkjet technology to achieve full-color 3D printing is becoming increasingly prevalent, driving down costs further. Notably, Flashforge’s new full-color desktop 3D printer has garnered significant attention.

9. Boom in Post-Processing & Supporting Technologies  

   The extensive participation of 3D printing companies has sparked heightened enthusiasm among upstream and downstream suppliers. Sintering, sieving, depowdering, and polishing solutions are becoming increasingly refined, with numerous companies entering the 3D printing ecosystem to provide tailored technological advancements. Beyond imported solutions like IPG, domestic suppliers of core components—such as lasers, galvanometers, and optical modules—are multiplying, with companies like Raycus Laser, Feibo Laser, Baochenxin, Tongli Laser, Site Optics, Zhengshi Precision, and Anlun Optics actively expanding their presence.

10. 3D Printing Farms & Consumer Applications Flourish  

   Consumer-oriented 3D printing farms are taking off, with companies like Tobu Technology, Creality, Flashforge, Anycubic, and Smartpai showcasing their latest high-speed, multi-color machines. The exhibition is expected to draw a significant number of farm operators and collaborative ventures. Meanwhile, material suppliers like Guanghua Weiye, SANLU, and Polymaker are launching new filament options featuring rainbow hues, high-performance properties, and aesthetic enhancements. Polymaker’s 3D-printed mattress will be available for visitors to experience firsthand. Additionally, a wave of resin-based 3D printing manufacturers is bringing consumer-focused applications to the show, featuring 3D-printed shoes, cushions, and other elastic materials.

These predictions stem from our deep dive into hundreds of exhibitor previews, allowing us to mentally envision the entire exhibition in advance.  

But will our forecasts hold true? Stay tuned for our live coverage from Shanghai! Follow Panda3dp.com 3D Printing on WeChat Video for continuous updates on March 17, 18, and 19.