OpenAM™ for Fortus®: Supported Printers, Material Tiers, and Practical Alternatives
Stratasys® OpenAM™ and “Validated Materials” are usually evaluated together because they address two sides of the same decision: platform capability (what the system supports) and material confidence (how much testing and support sits behind a workflow). This page lays out OpenAM™ coverage for Fortus® systems, explains the Preferred / Validated / Open material tier model, and compares that approach to a disciplined independent strategy used across mixed Fortus fleets.
This is an independent technical overview and comparison. NEXT 3DP is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stratasys Ltd. Stratasys®, Fortus®, and OpenAM™ are trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced for identification purposes only.
OpenAM™ for FDM is positioned for Fortus 450mc and F900. NEXT 3DP supports disciplined material strategies across Fortus 360mc / 380mc / 400mc / 450mc / 900mc / F900 — enabling fleet-wide continuity for both legacy and current platforms.
OpenAM availability can depend on licensing and system configuration; confirm your specific machine setup before planning workflow changes.
What is Stratasys® OpenAM™ (for FDM)?
OpenAM™ is a Stratasys software workflow intended to provide expanded access to machine controls and print parameters beyond standard settings on supported industrial FDM systems. In practice, OpenAM is used by advanced teams to refine outcomes and expand material workflows under a structured toolchain.
What OpenAM changes
- Expanded access to key print settings (within the OpenAM toolchain)
- Broader material workflow options, depending on platform and profiles
- A framework for controlled optimization and repeatability
Why materials show up immediately
- Material tiering communicates confidence and support level
- Material options vary by platform and workflow constraints
- Most Fortus fleets are mixed — legacy + current systems
Which printers support OpenAM™ (FDM)?
Stratasys positions OpenAM software for FDM on Fortus 450mc and F900. If your fleet includes older Fortus systems, a practical material strategy often needs to span both OpenAM-enabled and non-OpenAM platforms.
| Printer | OpenAM™ (FDM) status | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Fortus 450mc | OpenAM positioned as available | OpenAM workflow is marketed for expanded parameter access and material innovation on this platform. |
| F900 | OpenAM positioned as available | OpenAM availability extends the same concept to large-format Fortus production environments. |
| Fortus 360/380/400/900mc | Typically outside OpenAM positioning | Legacy fleets still require continuity: materials, colors, cost control, and disciplined parameter deployment. |
NEXT 3DP supports disciplined independent material strategies across Fortus 360mc, 380mc, 400mc, 450mc, 900mc, and F900 — including mixed fleets where legacy platforms must stay productive.
Material tiers (Preferred vs Validated vs Open)
Material tiers describe the level of testing, tuning, and support behind a workflow. On OpenAM-enabled FDM systems, Stratasys commonly describes three practical “levels” of material support. These tiers help teams balance performance expectations, support structures, and how aggressively they want to expand material options.
Stratasys Preferred Materials
- Highest level of tuning and testing
- Optimized for reliability, accuracy, and repeatable performance
- Typical choice for demanding production requirements
Stratasys Validated Materials
- Reliability-focused qualification pathway (accelerated vs full tuning)
- Expands material options while maintaining structured performance expectations
- Often used to introduce additional polymer families and applications
Open Materials
- Broader exploration under internal engineering ownership
- Best fit for teams with strong process control and validation discipline
- Requires deliberate parameter and configuration management
Across real Fortus® fleets, the goal is typically the same: expand capability without compromising repeatability. Material tiers are one way to frame that tradeoff, especially when your environment includes both OpenAM-enabled systems and legacy Fortus platforms.
Comparison: OpenAM™ workflow vs independent Fortus® strategy
OpenAM enables a structured pathway for expanding capability on supported systems. Independent strategies focus on controlled deployment across the full Fortus fleet. The table below summarizes the practical differences for day-to-day Fortus operators.
| Category | OpenAM™ framework | Independent strategy (NEXT 3DP) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform scope | Fortus 450mc + F900 (OpenAM-enabled) | Fortus 360/380/400/450/900mc/F900 |
| Material strategy model | Tiered approach (Preferred / Validated / Open materials) | Engineering-controlled alternative materials + disciplined deployment |
| Color availability | SKU/profile dependent | Expanded color options + custom batch evaluation |
| Supply continuity | Vendor/material pathway dependent | Direct supply programs across supported Fortus platforms |
| Configuration control | OpenAM workflow on supported systems | EEPROM + parameter management tools across Fortus platforms |
| Legacy fleet support | Not the primary OpenAM focus | Designed for mixed fleets and older Fortus assets |
Materials, colors, and practical selection
In Fortus environments, material selection is rarely just a resin decision — it includes availability, color needs, application requirements, and configuration discipline. This is where many teams compare OEM workflows (including tiered programs) against controlled alternatives that can be deployed across a broader Fortus fleet.
ABS-M30® alternatives
- Expanded production color options for tooling, fixtures, and shop organization
- Consistent Fortus 1.795 mm format for Fortus 360–F900 class systems
- Bulk supply programs for repeat ordering and fleet continuity
ULTEM™ 9085 alternatives
- Standard: Natural + Black
- Custom color batch evaluation (volume + thermal consistency dependent)
- Built for long, high-heat Fortus production environments
High-temp + support materials
- ULTEM™ 1010
- ASA
- High-temperature supports (Fortus 92 in³ format)
Material configuration infrastructure (EEPROM + Parameters)
On Fortus platforms, materials are tied to configuration discipline. EEPROM compatibility and parameter deployment are part of a controlled workflow for repeatable results. NEXT 3DP provides tooling and support designed for disciplined engineering environments operating across mixed Fortus fleets.
EEPROM Writer
Write and verify Fortus®-compatible EEPROM configurations as part of a controlled material deployment workflow.
Fortus® Parameter Manager
Structured parameter review and controlled deployment support across Fortus® platforms.
Production validation support
Guidance for repeatable deployment, batch consistency, and disciplined material change management.
Bulk supply & custom material development
Bulk supply reduces friction for repeat production. Custom development is the right entry point for color runs, resin adjustments, or fleet-wide continuity planning.
Bulk / volume programs
- Repeat ordering for production materials
- Multi-spool runs (qualified materials)
- Mixed-fleet continuity across 360/380/400/450/900/F900
Custom development
- Custom color evaluation (volume dependent)
- Blend development / resin modification
- NDA-based engineering collaboration
FAQ
Is NEXT 3DP affiliated with Stratasys® or OpenAM™?
No. NEXT 3DP is an independent manufacturer and service provider. This page provides an independent overview and comparison of OpenAM™ concepts and Fortus® material strategies. Stratasys®, Fortus®, and OpenAM™ are trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced for identification purposes only.
Which Stratasys printers support OpenAM™ for FDM?
OpenAM™ for FDM is positioned for the Fortus 450mc and the F900. Availability may depend on licensing and system configuration; confirm your exact machine setup.
What are “Preferred” vs “Validated” vs “Open” materials?
These tiers describe how materials are tested, tuned, and supported. Preferred materials are the most fully tuned and tested. Validated materials follow a structured, reliability-focused qualification path to expand options faster. Open materials represent broader exploration that benefits from strong internal engineering discipline.
Do legacy Fortus systems (360/380/400/900mc) support OpenAM?
OpenAM is primarily positioned for Fortus 450mc and F900. Many operators still require material flexibility and supply continuity across legacy Fortus fleets. NEXT 3DP supports disciplined independent material strategies across Fortus 360/380/400/450/900mc/F900.
Why do EEPROM and parameters matter for materials?
In Fortus ecosystems, materials are tied to configuration discipline. EEPROM compatibility and parameter deployment are part of a controlled workflow for repeatable results. NEXT 3DP provides EEPROM and parameter tools to support disciplined material strategies across Fortus platforms.
Stratasys®, Fortus®, OpenAM™, ABS-M30®, ULTEM™ and other marks are registered trademarks of their respective owners. OEM names and part numbers are referenced for identification purposes only. NEXT 3DP products and tools are independently manufactured and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Stratasys Ltd.