Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 hours in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench. 8 modules covering ISO 8855:2011, Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 and Shim ReStackor. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the internal hydraulics of forks and shock absorbers.
Design shim stacks for target force curves.
Simulate valving configurations before assembly.
Characterise shock absorbers on a dynamometer test bench.
Carry out complete technical servicing of suspension units.
Adapt valving to the discipline and the rider.
Correlate bench results with track data.
Who it's for
- Suspension technician wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Damping engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Test bench technician wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Competition mechanic wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Chassis development engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Suspension workshop manager wishing to specialise in Advanced Valving and Shock Absorber Test Bench.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter suspension workshops.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8855:2011
- Regulation (EU) No 168/2013
- Regulation (EU) No 44/2014
- FIM Superbike World Championship Regulations
- FIM Motocross Technical Regulations
- ISO 2631-1:1997
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Orifice flow and head losses1.2Laminar and turbulent regimes in pistons1.3Typical force-velocity curves1.4Low- and high-speed damping1.5Oil viscosity and temperature1.6Cavitation and nitrogen pressurisation1.7Base and piston valves1.8Pressurised cartridges in forks1.9Two- and three-path shock absorbers1.10Practical: calculation of pressure drop across an orifice
2.1Compression and rebound shim stacks2.2Base, transition and closing shims2.3Crossover and two-stage stacks2.4Stack preload and pivot discs2.5Bleed and adjustment needles2.6Large- and small-port pistons2.7Check valves2.8Shim stiffness and thicknesses2.9Effect of piston diameter2.10Workshop: assembly and measurement of a shim stack
3.1Shim bending model3.2Simulation with Shim ReStackor3.3Prediction of force-velocity curves3.4Influence of oil on the simulation3.5Stack optimisation for a target3.6Correlation between simulation and bench3.7Limitations of shim models3.8Valving for competition versus road3.9Configuration library3.10Practical: stack design for a force target
4.1Mechanical and hydraulic shock absorber dynamometers4.2Sinusoidal and constant-velocity tests4.3Force versus displacement diagrams4.4Hysteresis and lag4.5Temperature control during testing4.6Unit preparation and bleeding4.7Test repeatability4.8Normalisation of results4.9Defect detection on the bench4.10Laboratory: characterisation of a rear shock absorber
5.1Depressurisation and safe disassembly5.2Inspection of rods, bushes and chrome plating5.3Replacement of seals and wipers5.4Air bleeding by vacuum5.5Nitrogen charging and working pressure5.6Length and stop checks5.7Service intervals by use5.8Specialised workshop tools5.9Service records and traceability5.10Case study: setup of a Superbike shock absorber
6.1Circuit damping requirements6.2Valving for motocross and jumps6.3Valving for enduro and roots6.4Valving for trail and luggage load6.5Adaptation to rider weight and level6.6Coherence between spring and damping6.7Interaction with the tyre carcass6.8Track testing protocol6.9Translating rider feedback6.10Workshop: valving proposal for an enduro rider
7.1Recorded suspension velocity histograms7.2Comparison of track configurations7.3Correlation of bench curves with real use7.4Final adjustments with clickers7.5Valving in semi-active shock absorbers7.6Documentation of each configuration7.7Workshop valving database7.8Validation of improvements with stopwatch7.9Technical report for the client7.10Practical: correlation of track and bench data
8.1Definition of the damping objective8.2Measurement of the starting unit8.3Simulation of alternative stacks8.4Assembly of the new configuration8.5Bench characterisation8.6Track testing with data8.7Fine tuning and final version8.8Results report8.9Written report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: the student progresses at their own pace within the intake, which allows it to be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Shim ReStackor, Roehrig EMA, MATLAB, AiM Race Studio, Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for characterising shock absorbers on a dynamometer test bench, simulation and assembly of shim stacks, and correlation of configurations with track data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the internal hydraulics of forks and shock absorbers.
Design shim stacks for target force curves.
Simulate valving configurations before assembly.
Characterise shock absorbers on a dynamometer test bench.
Carry out complete technical servicing of suspension units.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow the reading of technical regulations.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Shim ReStackor, Roehrig EMA, MATLAB, AiM Race Studio, Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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