[Chris is me]

3D printed parts are absolutely valid in FRC, it's just a matter of knowing when and where to use them, and how to design and manufacture them such that they do not see excessive loading.

Printing is particularly useful in FRC:

- When parts don't see significant load. 3D printed parts can be used with load as well, but that requires more active effort or reinforcement.

- When you need a specific geometry of part that is a pain to make through other methods. Things like electronics brackets, camera mounts, eccentric spacers, gearbox shields, even internal ball cradles can be printed to easily achieve a specific size and shape.

- When your other manufacturing resources are tied up, or needed for more valuable things. Spacers and standoffs are a common 3D printed part, not because the technology is required for it, but because the 3D printer has more downtime than the lathe and these parts are just boring to make by hand.

- When you are stuck in CAD at 2 AM trying to interface two internal assemblies and need to bridge some oddly specific gap between two parts. Personal experience on this one.

Honestly, if you get and have a printer, you'll find ways to use it. You can even make composites out of it, using the 3d printed geometry for shape and adding metal components for structure. It's just too handy.