[m12k]

That's probably the endgame that 3D printing is pointing toward - being able to create anything you need on your own with a minimum of input needed (raw materials) so we're all self sufficient. The problem is the transition phase, where these automated production facilities are only benefitting the current owners of the factories, but have not yet become cheap or miniaturized enough to really benefit everyone (will we see a Personal Factory revolution like that of Personal Computers?). Capitalism works because the owners of the factories still need workers to run the machinery and buy the produced goods. Replace them with robots and you lose the market to sell the goods to too and the whole thing breaks down - the next 50 years are going to be a very interesting time to be alive.

[positr0n]

> That would be unthinkable today due to rent & food & healthcare costs.

3D printing won't help with any of those.

[wu-ikkyu]

Food, housing inputs, and health care devices could all be printed.

[GunboatDiplomat]

Going out on a limb, printed food would still need foodstock inputs of some type, and housing still needs land.