Auto Alliance Thailand slashed part lead times from months to a single day by bringing the Formlabs Fuse 1 SLS ecosystem in-house.
A Production Line That Couldn't Afford to Wait
Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT) manufactures vehicles for Ford and Mazda — a high-stakes environment where a missing tool or delayed part can halt an entire line. Thanakorn Rungsaroj, Assistant Manager of Plant IE/FPS, faced a recurring challenge: sourcing complex production tools from external suppliers took two to three months, came with high costs, and imposed minimum order quantities that made small-batch procurement impractical.
Bringing SLS 3D Printing In-House
After evaluating available technologies, Rungsaroj selected the Formlabs Fuse 1 Ecosystem — an SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) solution — for in-house part production. The decision was driven by the system's ability to produce complex geometries directly from a CAD file, without the need for molds or external vendors.
From Months to a Single Day
The impact was immediate. Production time dropped by 97%, with parts now delivered in as little as one day. This kept manufacturing lines running and significantly reduced costs associated with outsourcing and idle time.
High-Performance Materials for Real Automotive Demands
AAT leverages two key SLS materials in its workflow:
- Nylon 12 Powder — used to replace traditionally machined metal parts, enabling complex geometries that were previously impossible or cost-prohibitive.
- TPU 90A Powder — applied to protect tools, offering the flexibility and durability needed in a demanding production environment.
A Blueprint for Automotive Manufacturing
AAT's experience demonstrates how in-house SLS 3D printing can transform automotive manufacturing operations — reducing dependency on external suppliers, unlocking design freedom, and keeping production lines moving without costly delays.
