That most people just print ready-made trinkets from Thingiverse that they don&#x27;t really need is hardly an issue with the machines. Most useful things around us made of plastic can be done on a 500 USD FDM 3d-printer (which is a lot of stuff).<p>I&#x27;ve fixed our commercial (China quality) lasercutter using parts made on a cheap FDM 3d-printer. Fixed powertools like drills and drill-presses. Replaced parts on my bicycle. Made functional scissors, and a haircomb that I needed when no shop was open.<p>The issues are that for commodity items, in the first world, it is quicker to just buy them (if we don&#x27;t have them already). They will also be prettier.
Or if it is a custom item, one has to actually design&amp;test, which is something that requires CAD skills and some hours of work. Teaching this will take some time.<p>Most people just watch kitten-videos and play Farmville using their Internet-enabled devices. Does not mean the devices are low-quality and cannot be used for useful things.