Andreas Bastian and his team have been working on a 3D printer that utilizes selective laser sintering technology (SLS). He built it for under $15,000 and it can print in a variety of different materials. It is part of a RepRap project called OpenSLS, and they have made significant process. The powder handler is constructed using a laser cutter and some 3D printed parts.

Read more about this and Bastian's next project a direct metal laser sintering 3d printer at http://3dprint.com/5104/opensls-sls-3d-printer/

Here are the results of some of the printed objects: