Price Breaks Below 100,000 CNY! Desktop SLM Metal 3D Printers Forge a New Path with Micron, GLB, Riton, and More

Panda3dp.com Guide:At the 2025 TCT Asia Exhibition, several companies unveiled desktop-scale Selective Laser Melting (SLM) metal 3D printers priced around 100,000 CNY, dramatically reducing the threshold for adopting what was once million-yuan industrial technology. These compact machines offer a high cost-performance ratio, making them particularly suitable for applications in dentistry, education, and beyond. This pricing revolution is not only reshaping the landscape of additive manufacturing but also heralding a transformation of metal 3D printing from a niche, high-end pursuit to a democratized, widely accessible manufacturing solution.

MicronFab

In March 2025, MicronFab launched its new desktop metal 3D printer, the DeskFab X1, at the South China International Dental Exhibition. This all-in-one desktop unit shattered price expectations by coming in under 100,000 CNY. Weighing around 100 kg, it requires only a 220V power source and a gas supply to operate, fully integrating the laser, filtration, and powder feeding systems. Engineered to align with the latest clinical needs, the DeskFab X1 drives industry advancement through equipment innovation and technological expansion, offering dental professionals a more convenient, efficient, and versatile tool for a variety of scenarios.

At the 2025 TCT Asia Exhibition, Panda3dp.com had a firsthand look at the DeskFab X1. Its advantages include:

1. All-in-One Integration – A Spatial Breakthrough  

   Measuring just 600 × 650 × 800 mm, the unit occupies a mere 0.39㎡ footprint.

2. Lifetime Filter – Truly Maintenance-Free  

   With a 30,000-hour service life, the filter eliminates the recurring cost and risk of replacing cartridges, removing the possibility of incorrect installation.

3. Zero-Learning Curve – One-Click Printing and Layout  

   - FastLayer®: AI-assisted layout completes automatic nesting of crowns and frameworks in five minutes.  

   - FastFab®: Enables one-click printing, simplifying metal 3D printing for beginners.

4. Multi-Material Capability  

   A modular powder cartridge allows seamless switching between cobalt-chrome, pure titanium, and other materials. The top-loading feed system enables powder refills without interrupting the print job.

5. LFPT (Laser-Following Powder Technology)  

   Exclusive to MicronFab, this technology enhances printing efficiency by up to 20%.

6. Speed and Precision  

   Capable of printing 100 crowns or 7–8 frameworks in as little as 2.5 hours.

GLB (Gromlab)

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1zWo1YVEmz?t=205.6

During the 2025 TCT Asia Expo, Gromlab unveiled the GLB-120M, a desktop metal 3D printer starting at just 99,000 CNY. With dimensions of 650 × 700 × 920 mm and a footprint of approximately 0.5㎡, it allows multiple machines to be placed within a limited workspace, optimizing productivity. Its build volume is 120 × 80 mm, capable of accommodating up to 110 crowns or 8–9 frameworks per batch, with print times ranging from 3 to 5 hours.

The GLB-120M features a top-feed powder system ideal for scaled production. Fully calibrated at the factory, the printer is ready for immediate operation upon delivery. It runs on proprietary software with fully open-source parameters. Compatible with a wide range of metal materials—including stainless steel, tool steel, titanium alloy, and cobalt-chrome alloy—the GLB-120M offers users unmatched flexibility.

Riton Additive

In 2024, Guangzhou-based Riton Additive released the MLAB, the first desktop metal 3D printer in China tailored specifically for the dental industry. The MLAB boasts industry-leading specifications with a build volume of 100 × 100 × 90 mm, tailored for the batch production of dental implants, crowns, and fine jewelry. It is equipped with a 300W fiber laser, 12 m/s scan speed, 0.02 mm layer thickness, and Ra≤8μm surface roughness. A permanent filter and modular design ensure compatibility with various materials.

Supporting medical-grade metal powders such as titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), cobalt-chrome (CoCrMo), and pure titanium (Grade 2), the MLAB achieves over 95% material utilization. It is powered by the proprietary Riton Controller software, which enables real-time defect detection and process parameter optimization, pushing the print success rate to an impressive 98%.

Conclusion

As prices plunge, the barriers to entry for metal 3D printing are rapidly diminishing, making the technology accessible to small manufacturers, dental labs, jewelers, and beyond. This wave of innovation, led by Chinese manufacturers, is rewriting the global narrative of metal additive manufacturing. In this new era, additive technology may well emerge as the driving force behind China’s leap toward advanced, high-end manufacturing.