3D printing is big news this year.Shops selling 3D printers and drones are expecting strong interest at the annual Hong Kong Computer and Communications festival this weekend.
Besides laptops, smart phones and electronic accessories, highlights include Taiwanese-made 3D printers that cost less than HK$5,000 and mini projector cubes from South Korea that weigh only 119 grams.
And as Hong Kong government began to push forward the development of 3D printing in the city with the opening of a 3D printing experience gallery at the Hong Kong Productivity Council, 3D printing is one of the focal points of the computer festival this year, with a special zone dedicated to showcasing the latest technology.
Harry Yan Chi-hoe, sales manager of Hornington Computers, which sells 3D printers from Taiwan, said: “This is our second year at the festival. Interest in 3D printers in Hong Kong has grown a lot. Now, everybody wants to try it.”
Expecting to sell 40 per cent more 3D printers than last year, Yan said his company is already shifting around 30 to 40 3D printers each month in Hong Kong to toys and jewellery designers interested in making mould prototypes of their products.
“IT teachers are also interested because 3D printers let their students try designing their own products,” Yan added.
A store selling flying drones equipped with cameras for the second year in the expo is also optimistic.
George Chan Chun-wai, manager of FlyCamHK.com, which sells drones that range from HK$400 to HK$10,000, said: “I estimate I will sell around one thousand drones. Drones have become more widespread.”
Last year’s edition attracted over 700,000 visitors.
Organiser of the festival, the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry, expects visitor traffic will increase by five per cent this year.