Source: PanDen
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Panda3dp.com Guide:In recent years, as 3D printing technology continues to evolve, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)—once the exclusive domain of industrial-grade equipment—has rapidly made its way into the desktop segment. Since 2024, a number of Chinese 3D printing companies have launched new-generation desktop SLS printers, redefining the boundaries of additive manufacturing through more affordable pricing and compact designs.
Technological Breakthroughs: From Industrial Giants to Desktop Revolution
SLS technology achieves high-precision printing by sintering powdered materials with laser beams. Its inherent advantage lies in eliminating the need for support structures, making it ideal for fabricating complex components. Traditional industrial SLS machines typically range from hundreds of thousands to millions of yuan per unit. In contrast, the new wave of desktop SLS models has slashed the cost to the tens-of-thousands range.
Formlabs Fuse Series: A Pioneer in Desktop SLS
Formlabs' Fuse 1, launched in 2021, stands as an early representative of desktop SLS technology. The 2022 upgrade, Fuse 1+ 30W, features a 30W ytterbium-doped fiber laser with a wavelength of 1070nm and a scan speed of 12.5 meters per second—twice as fast as the original Fuse 1. Its build volume of 165 × 165 × 300 mm supports a high-density nesting algorithm, significantly improving volume utilization.
Compatible with Nylon 12, Nylon 12 GF, Nylon 11 CF (carbon fiber-reinforced nylon), PA11, and TPU-90A, the printer achieves a 70% recycled powder reuse rate under a nitrogen environment, with only 30% new powder required—enabling a near “zero waste” workflow.
The Fuse 1+ 30W marks Formlabs’ leap from an "economical" option to a "cost-effective industrial-grade" solution, particularly with notable advancements in laser power, material compatibility, nitrogen integration, and a fully automated post-processing ecosystem. Although its price remains undisclosed, its growing adoption—such as Yuan Cheng Technology in China planning to deploy 20 units—reflects surging demand for efficient, compact SLS systems.
Micronics Micron: Disruptor or Controversy Magnet?
In 2024, U.S.-based startup Micronics stirred the market with its Micron printer, offered at a crowdfunding price of $2,999 (approximately ¥21,000), before ultimately being acquired by Formlabs.
The Micron boasts a build volume of 160 × 160 × 200 mm (some sources state 200 × 145 × 145 mm) and utilizes a 5W 450nm diode laser. It supports PA12 and TPU-90A, with plans to include PP and PA11. It features a gravity-fed powder supply system and a screw-conveyor for simplified post-processing. Despite its affordability, the use of diode lasers and analog galvo systems has sparked concerns over long-term reliability.
Although crowdfunding was halted due to the acquisition, Micronics has introduced fresh perspectives to desktop SLS development—for instance, integrating slicing software built with Unreal Engine to optimize operational efficiency.
Zongheng Additive SUPER MAKER SLS1518 At the 2025 TCT Asia Show, Zongheng Additive unveiled the SUPER MAKER SLS1518, setting a new benchmark for domestic desktop SLS printers with a price tag of ¥59,999. With a build volume of 150 × 150 × 180 mm, it meets the needs of compact workshop spaces. The system uses a 5W high-power laser and industrial-grade galvo scanner, achieving a precision of ±0.1 mm and surface roughness as low as Ra 12 μm. An integrated automatic post-processing system (cleaning, sieving, and mixing) keeps material waste below 5%. Compatible materials include PA11, PA12, and carbon fiber-reinforced variants, with a yield rate reaching 98%.
Through compact design and optimized power consumption (averaging 800W), this printer offers a cost-effective solution for small-batch manufacturing, expected to reduce industrial 3D printing costs by over 40%.
Raise3D’s Commercial-Grade SLS Printer: RMS220
Also showcased at the 2025 TCT Asia Show, Raise3D introduced its RMS220 commercial-grade SLS printer, which delivers high-precision and high-efficiency part manufacturing through laser sintering technology.
Exceptional Accuracy and Stability: With a dimensional tolerance of ±0.2 mm and support for wall thicknesses as low as 0.5 mm (using PA11), it meets the rigorous demands of connectors, medical devices, and consumer electronics.
Efficient Mass Production: Capable of producing up to 5 kg of parts daily (using PA12) with a printing speed of 2.2 L/h (at 20% fill density) and a maximum scan speed of 30,000 mm/s, it satisfies industrial-grade continuous production requirements.
Broad Material Compatibility: The system supports PA12, PA12 GB, PA11, TPU, and more. Powder switching time has been reduced to just 45 minutes—one-third that of conventional methods. Its open-material mode empowers users to work with third-party powders, enhancing both flexibility and material variety.
CoreRay Smart’s Desktop SLS 3D Printers: F-100SE and F-170
Huizhou-based startup CoreRay Smart recently launched two desktop SLS printers—the F-100SE and the F-170—offering low-cost, user-friendly, and high-performance tools tailored for hobbyists, designers, engineers, and innovators across diverse fields.
The F-100SE, a meticulously crafted desktop SLS model, weighs just 23 kg and measures 33 × 33 × 84 cm, with a build volume of 100 × 100 × 130 mm, fulfilling a wide array of customization needs. Its theoretical layer thickness is 0.1 mm, with actual performance down to 0.05 mm and a top print speed of 80 mm/h (at 0.1 mm layers). With a 5W 450nm variable-power diode laser, the printer ensures both precision and efficiency, and heats up in 15–25 minutes.
The F-170 represents a new generation of larger-format desktop SLS printing. Measuring 38.9 × 43.5 × 115.9 cm and weighing 35 kg, it features a generous build volume of 170 × 170 × 250 mm, ideal for complex, high-volume designs. It retains the same technical specs as the F-100SE, ensuring high-efficiency and precision output.
Enshentereon: A ¥100,000 Industrial-Grade SLS Solution
At the 2025 TCT Asia Show, Dalian-based Enshentereon presented its ¥100,000 industrial-grade SLS 3D printer in an exclusive interview with Panda3dp.com—further fueling the democratization of professional-grade additive manufacturing.
Market Impact: Redefining the 3D Printing Landscape
The mainstream adoption of desktop SLS printers is driving a transformative shift across the industry. On one hand, designers and engineers can now produce high-precision prototypes directly in-office, dramatically shortening development cycles. On the other, educational institutions and cultural creative enterprises—traditionally distant from such technologies—are gaining access to cutting-edge manufacturing at a fraction of the cost.
According to analysts, as technology matures and costs decline, SLS is poised to become one of the dominant desktop 3D printing technologies within five years.
This wave of accessible SLS innovation not only lowers the threshold for creativity but also signifies the transition of 3D printing from a “tool” to an integrated “ecosystem.” When industrial-grade precision meets consumer-level pricing, the next decade of additive manufacturing may well be rewritten by these compact machines. |