Orlando, Fla. — Startup firm Desktop Metal of Burlington, Mass., expects in January to begin shipping its Studio System-brand suite of printer, debinder and furnace units for metal 3Dl printing. Initial orders were accepted beginning in November.

A complete Studio System package will cost about $150,000, according to Jerry McLeod, president and CEO of Desktop Metal distributor Advanced RP Inc. of Suwanee, Ga. McLeod discussed the program during CAMX in Orlando. Other metal 3D printers can run well in excess of $1 million.

Desktop Metal expects to offer a high-volume Production System suite in 2018.

Desktop Metal investors include GV, formerly Google Ventures, BMW iVentures and Lowe's venture arm. Stratasys Ltd. is a strategic partner.

Desktop Metal has its origins in the research laboratories of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.