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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Diploma in Metal AM Processes for Defence

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in metal AM processes for defence: 8 modules covering metal additive processes, process physics, design for additive manufacturing to ISO/ASTM 52911-1, parameters and scan strategies, build simulation, post-processing and industrialisation to AMS 7003 and ISO/ASTM 52904, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand metal additive manufacturing processes and their physics.

02

Design components optimised for additive manufacturing.

03

Select process parameters and scan strategies.

04

Simulate the build and prevent distortion and defects.

05

Define thermal, mechanical and surface post-processes.

06

Apply process and material standards.

07

Industrialise the production of metal parts for defence.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Metal additive manufacturing process engineers.
  • Design for additive manufacturing engineers.
  • Metallurgists.
  • PBF machine operators.
  • Production quality engineers.
  • Industrialisation managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO/ASTM 52911-1 (design for laser-based powder bed fusion of metals)
  • ISO/ASTM 52904 (metal PBF for critical applications)
  • AMS 7003 (laser powder bed fusion process)
  • AMS 7004 (titanium preforms by plasma arc directed energy deposition)
  • ASTM F3184 (316L stainless steel by PBF)
  • ASTM F3302 (titanium alloys by PBF)
  • AWS D20.1 (fabrication of metal components using additive manufacturing)
  • Materialise Magics
  • Ansys Additive
  • Autodesk Netfabb
  • Simufact Additive
  • nTopology
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Laser powder bed fusion
  2. 1.2Electron beam powder bed fusion
  3. 1.3Powder-fed directed energy deposition
  4. 1.4Wire arc deposition
  5. 1.5Metal binder jetting
  6. 1.6Cold spray
  7. 1.7Process comparison
  8. 1.8Selection by application
  9. 1.9Safety in powder handling
  10. 1.10Case study: process selection for a component
  1. 2.1Laser-powder interaction
  2. 2.2Melt pool dynamics
  3. 2.3Conduction and keyhole modes
  4. 2.4Solidification and microstructure
  5. 2.5Residual stresses
  6. 2.6Lack-of-fusion porosity
  7. 2.7Spatter and denudation
  8. 2.8Energy density
  9. 2.9Process maps
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: energy density analysis
  1. 3.1Principles of ISO/ASTM 52911-1
  2. 3.2Topology optimisation
  3. 3.3Lattice structures
  4. 3.4Part consolidation
  5. 3.5Overhang angles and supports
  6. 3.6Build orientation
  7. 3.7Tolerances and machining allowances
  8. 3.8Design for powder removal
  9. 3.9Design for post-processing
  10. 3.10Lab: topology optimisation of a bracket
  1. 4.1Power, speed and hatch spacing
  2. 4.2Layer thickness
  3. 4.3Scan strategies
  4. 4.4Contours and infill
  5. 4.5Build plate preheating
  6. 4.6Inert atmosphere
  7. 4.7Parameter development
  8. 4.8Melt pool monitoring
  9. 4.9Batch control
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: design of experiments for parameters
  1. 5.1Thermal simulation
  2. 5.2Distortion prediction
  3. 5.3Geometry compensation
  4. 5.4Recoater collision risk
  5. 5.5Microstructure simulation
  6. 5.6Support simulation
  7. 5.7Model calibration
  8. 5.8Commercial tools
  9. 5.9Validation with measurements
  10. 5.10Lab: distortion simulation with specialised software
  1. 6.1Stress relief
  2. 6.2Hot isostatic pressing
  3. 6.3Ageing heat treatments
  4. 6.4Separation from the build plate
  5. 6.5Support removal
  6. 6.6Finish machining
  7. 6.7Surface finishing
  8. 6.8Coatings
  9. 6.9Final inspection
  10. 6.10Case study: post-processing route for a titanium part
  1. 7.1Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
  2. 7.2AlSi10Mg aluminium alloys
  3. 7.3Stainless and maraging steels
  4. 7.4Nickel superalloys
  5. 7.5Powder management and recycling
  6. 7.6AMS and ASTM process standards
  7. 7.7Productivity and costs
  8. 7.8Supply chain
  9. 7.9Qualification in defence
  10. 7.10Workshop: industrialisation plan for a family of parts
  1. 8.1Part selection
  2. 8.2Redesign for additive
  3. 8.3Material and process selection
  4. 8.4Build simulation
  5. 8.5Parameter definition
  6. 8.6Post-processing route
  7. 8.7Inspection plan
  8. 8.8Cost analysis
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Materialise Magics, Ansys Additive, Autodesk Netfabb, Simufact Additive and nTopology, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: topology optimisation of a bracket for PBF, simulation of build distortion and definition of heat treatment and HIP. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO/ASTM 52911-1, ISO/ASTM 52904, AMS 7003, AMS 7004, ASTM F3184, ASTM F3302, AWS D20.1.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO/ASTM 52911-1, ISO/ASTM 52904 and AMS 7003 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Materialise Magics, Ansys Additive, Autodesk Netfabb, Simufact Additive and nTopology, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the complete additive manufacturing route for a defence metal part, from redesign and build simulation to parameters, post-processing, inspection and costs, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Part redesign
Select a defence part and redesign it for additive manufacturing.
Material and process selection
Choose the material and the most suitable additive process.
Build simulation and parameters
Simulate the build and define the process parameters.
Post-processing and inspection
Define the post-processing route, the inspection plan and the cost analysis.
Final project
Present the complete metal additive manufacturing project, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Metal additive manufacturing process engineerDesign for additive manufacturing engineerMetallurgistPBF machine operatorProduction quality engineerIndustrialisation manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Materialise Magics, Ansys Additive, Autodesk Netfabb, Simufact Additive and nTopology, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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