In 1992, DTM Corporation introduced the Sinterstation system for rapid prototyping.  The Sinterstation was designed to do selective laser sintering (SLS).  This process takes data from a 3D CAD file and communicates the data to a computer controlled laser which fuses successive layers of powder to create a 3D prototype.  This process allows users to make functional, testable prototypes, the properties of which are determined by the type of powder used in the Sinterstation.