Stratasys recommends a 24-month Preventative Maintenance (PM) overhaul for Fortus 360mc, 400mc, 380mc, and 450mc machines. The 24-month PM replaces known wear components, such as axis belts, blowers, fans, rail wear strips, and seals, to improve reliability, increase uptime, maintain part quality, and extend the life of the machine.
This recommendation comes from Stratasys’s own operator and service manual. Many owners don’t know about it, and many assume it is covered by their service contract. In most cases, it isn’t.
24-Month PM Parts by Fortus Model
The parts replaced in a 24-month PM depend on your Fortus model and, for the 380mc and 450mc, which generation you have.
| Fortus model | Parts replaced in the 24-month PM |
| Fortus 360mc and 400mc | Oven blower kit, axis belts, head blower, five cooling fans |
| Fortus 380mc and 450mc (Gen 1) | X and Y axis belts, wear strips for X and Y axis linear rails |
| Fortus 380mc and 450mc (Gen 2) | X and Y axis belts, lubrication unit for X and Y axis linear rails, X bellows Teflon seal, Y bellows seal |
Fortus 360mc and 400mc 24-Month PM Kit
The 24-month PM kit for the Fortus 360mc and 400mc includes an oven blower kit, axis belts, a head blower, and five cooling fans. The kit is the same for both models.
What the 360mc and 400mc kit includes:
- Oven blower kit
- Axis belts
- Head blower
- Five cooling fans
These parts control the two things that matter most on these machines: stable chamber temperature and accurate motion. When blowers and fans wear, temperature control suffers. When belts stretch, part accuracy suffers.
Fortus 380mc and 450mc Gen 1 PM Kit
The 24-month PM for a Fortus 380mc or 450mc Gen 1 includes X and Y axis belts and wear strips for the X and Y axis linear rails.
What the Gen 1 kit includes:
- X and Y axis belts
- Wear strips for X and Y axis linear rails
Fortus 380mc and 450mc Gen 2 PM Kit
The 24-month PM for a Fortus 380mc or 450mc Gen 2 includes X and Y axis belts, a lubrication unit for the X and Y axis linear rails, an X bellows Teflon seal, and a Y bellows seal.
What the Gen 2 kit includes:
- X and Y axis belts
- Lubrication unit for X and Y axis linear rails
- X bellows Teflon seal
- Y bellows seal
Difference Between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 PM Kits
Both generations replace the X and Y axis belts. The difference is in how the linear rails are protected and maintained. Gen 1 machines use wear strips on the X and Y linear rails. Gen 2 machines use a lubrication unit for the rails and bellows seals that cover the X and Y axes.
| Gen 1 | Gen 2 | |
| X and Y axis belts | Yes | Yes |
| Rail wear strips | Yes | No |
| Rail lubrication unit | No | Yes |
| X and Y bellows seals | No | Yes |
How to Tell Which Generation of Fortus 380mc or 450mc You Have
Generally, you can tell by looking at the X and Y axes. Machines with bellows covers over the axes and a lubrication unit for the linear rails are Gen 2. Machines with wear strips on the linear rails are Gen 1.
The most reliable way to confirm is by serial number. Send us your machine’s model and serial number, and we’ll tell you which generation you have and exactly which PM kit it needs. Ordering the wrong kit means paying for parts that don’t fit your machine.
The most reliable way to confirm is by serial number. Send us your machine’s model and serial number, and we’ll tell you which generation you have and exactly which PM kit it needs. Ordering the wrong kit means paying for parts that don’t fit your machine.
Is the 24-Month PM Kit Covered by a Stratasys Service Contract?
No. 24-month PM kits are not included in standard Stratasys service contracts and are typically quoted separately. This surprises many owners, so it’s worth budgeting for the PM as its own expense instead of assuming it’s covered.
For the Fortus 360mc and 400mc, Stratasys no longer offers service contracts at all, so the PM has to be planned separately either way. If you have an independent service contract, ask your provider whether the 24-month PM parts are included or quoted separately.
How Much a Fortus 24-Month PM Kit Costs
The cost of a Fortus 24-month PM kit depends on your model and generation, since each kit contains different parts. Installation labor, if you want a technician to do the work, is quoted separately from the parts.
What affects the price:
- Fortus model (360mc and 400mc, or 380mc and 450mc)
- Gen 1 or Gen 2 for the 380mc and 450mc
- Parts only, or parts with installation
- On-site service or depot work
- Any additional worn parts found during inspection
Request a 24-month PM kit quote with your model and serial number for exact pricing.
What Happens If You Skip the 24-Month PM
If you skip the 24-month PM, the wear parts it replaces keep degrading until they fail, often in the middle of a build. A machine that seems to run fine today can be close to a failure that causes downtime, bad parts, or damage to other components.
Common results of skipping the PM:
- Stretched belts cause layer shifting and dimensional errors
- Worn oven blowers lead to uneven chamber temperature and warped parts
- Failing cooling fans let electronics run hot
- Worn rail wear strips or dry rails increase motion system wear
- Damaged bellows seals let debris reach the linear rails
- Unplanned downtime while waiting for parts
Replacing these parts on schedule is far cheaper than repairing the damage a failed part can cause.
Why the 24-Month PM Matters Even If Your Machine Runs Fine
Every item in the 24-month PM kit is replaced every year on the larger Fortus 900mc and F900 production machines. The same types of parts wear on smaller Fortus machines too, just on a longer schedule.
A machine that prints well today doesn’t mean its belts, blowers, and seals are in good shape. Wear builds slowly, and the first sign is often a failed build or a part out of tolerance. The 24-month PM replaces these parts before that happens.
Fortus 900mc and F900 Maintenance Compared to the 360mc
The Fortus 900mc and F900 replace the same types of wear parts every year, while the 360mc and 400mc replace them every 24 months. The larger machines run bigger builds and longer jobs, so their wear parts reach end of life faster.
| Fortus 360mc and 400mc | Fortus 900mc and F900 | |
| Wear part replacement interval | Every 24 months | Every 12 months |
| Typical use | Mid-size production and prototyping | Large format production |
If you run a 900mc or F900, see our Fortus 380mc, 450mc, and F900 material unlock service to learn what a well-maintained machine can do with the full range of materials.
K-Class and T-Class Fortus Maintenance Schedules
Both the older and newer Fortus platforms follow the same 24-month PM interval, but the parts replaced are different. The 360mc and 400mc PM focuses on blowers, fans, and belts, while the 380mc and 450mc PM focuses on belts and the protection and lubrication of the linear rails.
360mc and 400mc PM focus:
- Chamber temperature control (oven blower kit, head blower)
- Electronics cooling (five cooling fans)
- Motion accuracy (axis belts)
380mc and 450mc PM focus:
- Motion accuracy (X and Y axis belts)
- Linear rail protection and lubrication (wear strips on Gen 1, lubrication unit and bellows seals on Gen 2)
How Often to Replace Axis Belts on a Fortus 360mc
Replace the axis belts on a Fortus 360mc every 24 months as part of the recommended PM, or sooner if you see signs of wear.
Signs your axis belts need replacing early:
- Layer shifting
- Parts out of dimensional tolerance
- Fraying, cracking, or missing teeth
- Belts that won’t hold tension
- Ghosting or ringing on part walls
What a Fortus Oven Blower Kit Does and When to Replace It
The oven blower kit circulates heated air through the Fortus build chamber so the temperature stays even across the part. Replace it every 24 months as part of the PM on the 360mc and 400mc, or sooner if it becomes noisy or chamber temperatures become unstable.
Even chamber temperature is what keeps Fortus parts from warping and helps layers bond properly, especially with high-temperature materials like ULTEM and polycarbonate. A worn blower can cause slow heat-up times, temperature errors, and warped or weak parts.
Signs the oven blower needs attention:
- Grinding, squealing, or rattling noises
- Chamber slow to reach temperature
- Temperature errors on the display
- Warping on parts that used to print cleanly
Buying a Fortus 24-Month PM Kit Without a Service Contract
Yes, you can buy a Fortus 24-month PM kit from Pivot AM without a service contract. Pivot AM sells PM kits directly to owners, and our technicians can install the kit for you if you prefer.
Your options:
- Buy the kit and install it in-house
- Buy the kit with on-site installation by a Pivot AM technician
- Add the 24-month PM to a Pivot AM Fortus maintenance plan
Who Sells Fortus 24-Month PM Kits Independently
Pivot AM Service sells Fortus 24-month preventative maintenance kits independently for the 360mc, 400mc, 380mc Gen 1 and Gen 2, and 450mc Gen 1 and Gen 2. We also stock Fortus spare parts outside the standard kit, so any additional worn parts found during the PM can be replaced at the same time.
Not sure which generation you have, or which parts you need? Request a 24-month PM kit quote and we’ll help you determine exactly what your machine needs. You can also call 641-780-5686 or 888-928-6811, or email info@pivotam.com.
For more on keeping older Fortus machines running, see Servicing Older Fortus Machines and Fix or Sell a Fortus Machine.
Yes. Stratasys’s operator and service manual recommends a 24-month Preventative Maintenance overhaul for Fortus 360mc, 400mc, 380mc, and 450mc machines.
The Fortus 360mc 24-month PM replaces the oven blower kit, axis belts, head blower, and five cooling fans.
The Fortus 400mc kit includes an oven blower kit, axis belts, a head blower, and five cooling fans. It is the same kit used on the 360mc.
The Gen 1 PM replaces the X and Y axis belts and the wear strips for the X and Y axis linear rails.
Both replace the X and Y axis belts. Gen 1 also replaces rail wear strips, while Gen 2 replaces a rail lubrication unit, an X bellows Teflon seal, and a Y bellows seal.
No. 24-month PM kits are not included in standard Stratasys service contracts and are typically quoted separately.
The cost depends on your model and generation, and whether you want installation. Request a quote with your model and serial number for exact pricing.
Wear parts keep degrading until they fail. Stretched belts cause layer shifting, worn blowers cause uneven chamber temperatures and warping, and failing fans let electronics overheat, often leading to unplanned downtime.
Machines with bellows covers over the X and Y axes and a rail lubrication unit are generally Gen 2, while machines with rail wear strips are Gen 1. The most reliable way to confirm is by serial number.
Both follow a 24-month PM interval. The 360mc and 400mc PM focuses on blowers, fans, and belts, while the 380mc and 450mc PM focuses on belts and linear rail protection and lubrication.
Every 24 months as part of the recommended PM, or sooner if you see layer shifting, dimensional errors, fraying, or belts that won’t hold tension.
The oven blower kit circulates heated air to keep the build chamber temperature even. Replace it every 24 months on the 360mc and 400mc, or sooner if it gets noisy or chamber temperatures become unstable.
The 900mc and F900 replace the same types of wear parts every 12 months, while the 360mc and 400mc replace them every 24 months.
Yes. Pivot AM sells Fortus 24-month PM kits directly, with or without installation, and no service contract is required.
Pivot AM Service sells 24-month PM kits for the Fortus 360mc, 400mc, 380mc, and 450mc, including Gen 1 and Gen 2 versions.
