Leviathan.Celebrindal said: »
I'm more worried about the Joe Schmo with a 3D printer thinking "well ***, I can do that!" and start selling DIY kits with improper material'ed parts.
That is an interesting point though. I'm not sure how feasible that would be, just because of the scale of structural materials. I mean, if you're going to build something illegally anyway, I can't see a 3D printer making it any easier than simply going to Home Depot for lumber (granted, with the price of lumber nowadays...)
It does make me think that it probably won't be long before they start hauling a 3D printer to construction sites to plop out connectors and fasteners. But even then you'll have inspectors.
*groan* I really wish I took a picture of the time I went to a site because someone wanted my 'professional opinion' on something when as it turned out they drilled FIVE 2" HOLES through the 2x4 top chord of a girder truss I sent >_>;