Postgraduate Diploma in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies. 8 modules covering ISO/TS 15066, ISO 10218-1 and ATI Industrial Automation NET F/T and configuration software. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
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
Understand the physical principles of six-axis force and torque sensors.
Calibrate 6D sensors and compensate for payload, gravity and inertias.
Process and filter force signals for contact and collision detection.
Design direct and indirect force controllers for robotic interaction.
Apply interaction control to polishing, deburring and assembly processes.
Verify the safety functions of cobots in accordance with ISO/TS 15066.
Evaluate the stability and accuracy of force loops in real time.
Who it's for
- Robot control engineer who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Collaborative robotics specialist who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Instrumentation engineer who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Integrator of surface finishing cells who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Functional safety validation engineer who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Researcher in human-robot physical interaction who wants to specialise in Torque/6D Sensors and Control Strategies.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/TS 15066
- ISO 10218-1
- ISO 13849-1
- ISO 376
- JCGM 100:2008 (GUM)
- ISO 9283
- IEC 61784-2
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Principles of strain gauges and Wheatstone bridges1.2Piezoelectric versus capacitive sensors1.3Six-axis sensor architecture1.4Calibration matrix and cross-coupling1.5Range, resolution and permissible overload1.6Thermal drift and compensation1.7EtherCAT, CAN and analogue interfaces1.8Mechanical mounting on a robot flange1.9Sensor selection according to application1.10Practical: static characterisation of a 6D sensor
2.1Calibration with reference masses and poses2.2Payload and centre of mass identification2.3Gravitational compensation of the tool2.4Compensation of inertial forces during motion2.5Offset estimation and automatic re-zeroing2.6Measurement uncertainty according to the GUM2.7In-situ calibration on the robot2.8Validation with a reference load cell2.9Periodic verification of calibration2.10Laboratory: payload identification of an end effector
3.1Sampling, aliasing and cut-off frequency3.2Butterworth and moving average filters3.3Kalman filter for contact estimation3.4Collision detection by threshold and residual3.5Transformation of force vectors between frames3.6Sensorless joint torque estimation3.7Latency and its effect on the closed loop3.8Real-time recording and visualisation3.9Synchronisation of force and position data3.10Workshop: filtering and contact detection in Python
4.1Explicit force control with PI4.2Force control with velocity feedback4.3Hybrid control using a selection matrix4.4Parallel force/position control4.5Force control in the direction normal to a surface4.6Tracking of unknown contours4.7Saturation and integral anti-windup4.8Stability in stiff environments4.9Force control on commercial industrial robots4.10Laboratory: contour tracking with constant force
5.1Impedance control in joint space5.2Impedance control in Cartesian space5.3Admittance control and non-backdrivable robots5.4Variable impedance and online adaptation5.5Passivity and energy tanks5.6Choice of virtual mass, damping and stiffness5.7Safe physical human-robot interaction5.8Impedance control in robots with flexible joints5.9Experimental validation of virtual impedance5.10Practical: manual guidance of a cobot by admittance control
6.1Robotic sanding and polishing with constant force6.2Adaptive deburring and fettling6.3Grinding and surface finishing6.4Automated friction testing6.5Adhesive application under controlled pressure6.6Assembly with force verification6.7Force management when handling fragile parts6.8Compliant active tools6.9Programming contact-force trajectories6.10Case study: tap polishing cell
7.1Power and force limiting in cobots7.2Biomechanical values of ISO/TS 150667.3Measurement of transient collision forces7.4Safety functions and performance level7.5Sensor health monitoring7.6Diagnosis of overloads and damage7.7Event logging for traceability7.8Validation of safety functions7.9Maintenance and replacement of damaged sensors7.10Case study: collision validation on a cobot
8.1Specification of force and accuracy requirements8.2Planning the contact task8.3Sensor selection and integration8.4Calibration and load compensation8.5Design of the interaction controller8.6Real-time implementation8.7Stability and accuracy testing8.8Analysis of results and improvements8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ATI Industrial Automation NET F/T and configuration software, ROS 2 with ros2_control, MATLAB/Simulink, Python with NumPy and SciPy, TwinCAT 3, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real robotic polishing procedures with constant force, sensor characterisation on a calibration bench, and manual guidance of cobots in collaborative applications. Assessment is continuous across each 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.
Understand the physical principles of six-axis force and torque sensors.
Calibrate 6D sensors and compensate for payload, gravity and inertias.
Process and filter force signals for contact and collision detection.
Design direct and indirect force controllers for robotic interaction.
Apply interaction control to polishing, deburring and assembly processes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. This is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with ATI Industrial Automation NET F/T and configuration software, ROS 2 with ros2_control, MATLAB/Simulink, Python with NumPy and SciPy, TwinCAT 3. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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