Postgraduate Diploma in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies. 8 modules covering ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics: vocabulary), SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology) and Adams Car. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the architecture of an off-road buggy.
Design the front suspension geometry.
Analyse rear suspension and axle configurations.
Select springs and dampers according to use.
Simulate suspension kinematics.
Evaluate vertical dynamics over uneven terrain.
Design a buggy suspension in the final project.
Who it's for
- Suspension engineer wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Vehicle dynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Off-road vehicle designer wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Competition technician wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Multibody simulation engineer wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Damper tuning technician wishing to specialise in Kinematics and Suspension Geometry for Buggies.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter off-road competition.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics: vocabulary)
- SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
- FIA Appendix J (technical regulations for off-road vehicles)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration)
- ISO 4138 (steady-state circular driving behaviour)
- ANSI/ROHVA 1 (recreational off-highway vehicles)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Typologies: sand buggy, UTV and trophy truck1.2Tubular chassis and mounting points1.3Suspension travel requirements1.4Mass distribution and centre of gravity1.5Sprung and unsprung masses1.6FIA technical regulations for T3 and T41.7Off-road tyres and their behaviour1.8SAE vehicle coordinate system1.9Suspension design input data1.10Workshop: hardpoint survey of a buggy
2.1Unequal-length double wishbone2.2Camber angle and its variation with travel2.3Caster angle and mechanical trail2.4Kingpin inclination and scrub radius2.5Front roll centre2.6Anti-dive geometry2.7Bump steer and tie-rod position2.8Ackermann geometry on loose terrain2.9Transmission angles over long travel2.10Practice: camber and caster calculation over travel
3.1Trailing and semi-trailing arms3.2Trailing arm with toe links3.3Multi-link and four-bar systems3.4Rigid axle with Panhard rod or Watt's linkage3.5Rear roll centre3.6Anti-squat and traction geometry3.7Toe change in compression3.8Driveshaft angles and constant-velocity joints3.9Integration of transmission and suspension3.10Case study: trailing arm versus multi-link
4.1Motion ratio4.2Wheel rate and natural frequency4.3Dual-rate and progressive springs4.4Bypass and remote-reservoir dampers4.5Compression and rebound curves4.6Hydraulic stops and bump stops4.7Anti-roll bars and load transfer4.8Damper thermal management4.9Preload adjustment and ride height4.10Laboratory: dynamometer curve analysis
5.1Hardpoint modelling5.2Tools: Lotus Shark, OptimumKinematics and Adams Car5.3Vertical travel and steering sweeps5.4Camber, toe and roll centre curves5.5Interference and limit detection5.6Multi-objective geometry optimisation5.7Sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances5.8Validation with on-vehicle measurements5.9Export to multibody models5.10Practice: bump steer optimisation in simulation
6.1Quarter-car model6.2Half-car model and pitch6.3Terrain profiles and roughness spectra6.4Jumps, landings and energy absorption6.5Response to whoops and undulations6.6Trade-off between traction, control and comfort6.7Multibody simulation on 3D terrain6.8Component loads during impacts6.9Data acquisition with linear potentiometers6.10Case study: analysis of a jump with real data
7.1Design load cases7.2Tubular wishbones and tie rods7.3Rod ends, uniballs and bushings7.4Knuckles and hubs7.5Finite element analysis of wishbones7.6Fatigue of suspension components7.7Materials: 4130 steel, 7075 aluminium and titanium7.8TIG welding of chromoly7.9Tolerances and geometry assembly7.10Workshop: FEM calculation of a lower wishbone
8.1Definition of vehicle requirements8.2Selection of suspension architecture8.3Definition of hardpoints8.4Kinematic simulation and optimisation8.5Selection of springs and dampers8.6Component sizing8.7Test plan and tuning8.8Technical design documentation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment window, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Adams Car, OptimumKinematics, MATLAB/Simulink, SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for suspension geometry measurement, damper test benches and tests on uneven-terrain tracks. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the architecture of an off-road buggy.
Design the front suspension geometry.
Analyse rear suspension and axle configurations.
Select springs and dampers according to use.
Simulate suspension kinematics.
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 technical standards reading.
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 totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses Adams Car, OptimumKinematics, MATLAB/Simulink and SolidWorks. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma of our own, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Consult the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Interfaces and Task Design
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Interfaces and Task Design. 8 modules with ISO 11064 (ergonomic design of control centres), ISO 10075 (mental workload) and Figma.…
Postgraduate Diploma in PSM Performance Metrics and Compliance
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in PSM Performance Metrics and Compliance. 8 modules covering OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 (Process Safety Management), API RP 754 (process safety indicators)…
ISO 13485 Quality System and Audits Postgraduate Diploma
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in ISO 13485 Quality System and Audits. 8 modules covering ISO 13485 (quality management systems for medical devices), ISO 19011 (management system…
More in Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical
All Naval, Offshore & Sports Nautical programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships