There are a lot of trade fairs in the 3D printing industry, and even more that encompass multiple industries including 3D printing. When the Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, began in 1957, 3D printing was a nonexistent technology, but Canton is a trade fair that continues to adapt as trade and technology change. It is an import and export fair, after all, and China is both importing and exporting a lot of 3D printers these days.
The biannual trade show just wrapped up its 120th iteration, which ran from October 15 to November 4 and was broken into three phases to accommodate the massive number of exhibitors and industries represented. The exhibition area, which spanned an incredible 1.18 million square meters, hosted a total of 24,553 exhibitors at 60,250 booths, making even the larger 3D printing trade shows I’ve seen look like elementary school craft fairs in comparison.
With exhibitors from industries ranging from clothing to electronics and everything in between, it’s easy to imagine being overwhelmed by such an event – hence the division of industries into three phases. According to Xu Bing, Deputy Director General of the China Foreign Trade Center and spokesperson for the Canton Fair, the organization is working on creating even clearer areas of specialization.
Despite the wide variety of industries represented at the fair, however, five core concepts are at the heart of it: green development, innovation, coordination, opening up and sharing, according to the fair’s organizers.
“The Canton Fair enhances trade connection between China and the world, demonstrating China’s image and achievements of development,” states the introduction to the Canton Fair’s website. “It is the best platform for Chinese enterprises to explore the international market and an exemplary base to implement China’s strategies for foreign trade growth. The Canton Fair serves as the first and foremost platform to promote China’s foreign trade, and a barometer of the foreign trade sector. It is the window, epitome and symbol of China’s opening up.”
Technology, obviously, is a strong focus, as it has to be for any industrial trade show, and that includes 3D printing. As we’ve seen over the last year in particular, China is becoming a strong presence in the 3D printing industry, with companies like Winbo Smart Tech, Ltd. making their presence known throughout the international market as well as domestically. Winbo is a Canton Fair veteran, and though the 120th iteration wasn’t their first, it was still a big one for them, as they officially unveiled the new Super Helper 3D printer and Super Helper 3-in-1 3D printer/laser engraver, which are now available for presale.
Judging from the crowds that gathered around Winbo’s booths (the company was present at all three phases of the Canton Fair), the Super Helper is already a hit, even before it begins shipping. While Winbo displayed several of their other 3D printers, the Super Helper drew particular interest as the company’s newest, least expensive and simplest printer. Winbo took several orders on the spot, and while delivery won’t begin until next month, you can still reserve yours via their website.
Several options are available: the Super Helper, which retails for $149, the Super Helper 3-in-1, which costs $199, and the larger version of the 3-in-1, priced at $249, can all be purchased alone or as part of one of two “economy packages:”
- Super Helper Economy Package 1 ($289): Printer plus 12 spools of filament, six white and six red
- Super Helper Economy Package 2 ($329): Printer plus 12 spools of filament and a tool box with everything you’ll need for the full printing process, including scrapers, pliers, finishing tools and more
- Super Helper 3-in-1 Economy Package 1 ($339 for the regular size, $389 for the large size): Printer, 12 spools of filament, and a board for laser engraving
- Super Helper 3-in-1 Economy Package 2 ($429 for the regular size, $479 for the large size): Printer, 12 spools of filament, board for laser engraving, a 500mw laser and a tool box
You can follow Winbo on Facebook or Twitter for the latest on the Super Helper and other company news. Below, you can check out some demonstrations on unpacking, printing, and laser engraving with the Super Helper: Discuss in the Canton Fair forum at 3DPB.com.
