Lets make the 3D printer in one or more armed companions that will follow you to the planets or your ship.

-click on it to keep to its position.
-It will follow you around the planet even if he finds himself very far from you.
-It manufactures in the 3D printer for 100 credits.
-If it is blocked, he will seek a new path.
-If it is definitively blocked it to commit suicide after a while.
-He will be waiting on the planet if you leave, you approach new to him to follow you.
-His race, his equipment and his weapon is randomly generated with each new companion.
-No limit to the numbers of companions that the player can have.