Diploma in Suspension Test Rigs
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in suspension test rigs. 8 modules covering suspension dynamics, damper characterisation, damper dynos, four- and seven-post rigs, component rigs, data acquisition and rig design and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Suspension Test Rigs — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$2,850 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
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 vehicle vertical dynamics and how to model it.
Characterise dampers using force-velocity curves.
Operate damper dynos with repeatable protocols.
Use post rigs to optimise set-ups.
Test springs, bushes and other suspension components.
Analyse test data and correlate it with the track.
Specify and validate a suspension test rig.
Who it's for
- Suspension test engineers.
- Damper dyno technicians.
- Vehicle dynamics engineers.
- Homologation laboratory technicians.
- Track engineers.
- Data acquisition specialists.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into motorsport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8608 (road surface profiles)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration exposure)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- ISO 7401 (lateral transient response test methods)
- ISO 4138 (steady-state circular driving)
- Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness tests)
- Royal Decree 920/2017 (Spanish periodic technical inspection of vehicles)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- NI LabVIEW
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- Adams Car
8 modules
1.1Sprung and unsprung masses1.2Natural frequencies and comfort1.3Spring rate and wheel rate1.4Suspension installation ratio1.5Critical damping coefficient1.6Load transfer under cornering and braking1.7Quarter-car model1.8Transmissibility and frequency response1.9Road profile excitations1.10Practical: simulating a quarter-car model
2.1Monotube and twin-tube dampers2.2Valves, shims and pistons2.3Force-velocity curves2.4Hysteresis, cavitation and aeration2.5Influence of oil temperature2.6Classic friction and lever-arm dampers2.7Compression and rebound adjustment2.8Revalving dampers2.9Hydraulic oils and viscosity2.10Lab: force-velocity curve on a damper dyno
3.1Crank and hydraulic-actuator rigs3.2Linear electromagnetic rigs3.3Load cells and LVDT transducers3.4Sinusoidal and triangular tests3.5Temperature control during testing3.6Signal filtering and processing3.7Repeatability and calibration3.8Damper matching3.9Reporting results3.10Workshop: test protocol for a competition damper
4.1Architecture of a post rig4.2Servo-hydraulics and actuators4.3Reproducing track profiles4.4Simulating aerodynamic loads4.5Measuring tyre load4.6Wheel load variation4.7Iterating set-ups on the rig4.8Correlation with track data4.9Safety on servo-hydraulic rigs4.10Case study: optimising set-up on a four-post rig
5.1EUSAMA adhesion method5.2Suspension testers at roadworthiness (ITV) stations5.3Spring testing: stiffness and fatigue5.4Testing bushes and mounts5.5Durability of ball joints and drop links5.6Kinematics and compliance rigs5.7Geometry under load5.8Testing anti-roll bars5.9Interpreting defects5.10Practical: stiffness test of coil springs
6.1Linear potentiometers and accelerometers6.2Sampling frequency and anti-aliasing6.3Damper velocity histograms6.4FFT spectral analysis6.5Rig-to-track correlation6.6Test databases6.7Automated processing with scripts6.8Visualising results6.9Measurement uncertainty6.10Lab: analysing suspension travel data
7.1Specifying rig requirements7.2Structural design of the frame7.3Selecting actuators and motors7.4Closed-loop control7.5Control software and safety stops7.6Metrological validation7.7Cost and feasibility7.8Maintenance plan7.9Technical documentation7.10Case study: conceptual design of a damper dyno
8.1Defining the test objective8.2Selecting the component to be tested8.3Designing the protocol8.4Assembly and instrumentation8.5Running the tests8.6Analysing results8.7Set-up improvement proposal8.8Technical test report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, NI LabVIEW, MoTeC i2 Pro and Adams Car, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: force-velocity characterisation of dampers, load variation testing on a four-post rig and spring stiffness measurement. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 8608, ISO 2631-1, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 8855, ISO 7401, ISO 4138, Directive 2014/45/EU, Royal Decree 920/2017.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run 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.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, NI LabVIEW, MoTeC i2 Pro and Adams Car, 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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