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.
Diploma in Metal AM Processes for Defence — studying from Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$2,790 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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 metal additive manufacturing processes and their physics.
Design components optimised for additive manufacturing.
Select process parameters and scan strategies.
Simulate the build and prevent distortion and defects.
Define thermal, mechanical and surface post-processes.
Apply process and material standards.
Industrialise the production of metal parts for defence.
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.
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
8 modules
1.1Laser powder bed fusion1.2Electron beam powder bed fusion1.3Powder-fed directed energy deposition1.4Wire arc deposition1.5Metal binder jetting1.6Cold spray1.7Process comparison1.8Selection by application1.9Safety in powder handling1.10Case study: process selection for a component
2.1Laser-powder interaction2.2Melt pool dynamics2.3Conduction and keyhole modes2.4Solidification and microstructure2.5Residual stresses2.6Lack-of-fusion porosity2.7Spatter and denudation2.8Energy density2.9Process maps2.10Practical exercise: energy density analysis
3.1Principles of ISO/ASTM 52911-13.2Topology optimisation3.3Lattice structures3.4Part consolidation3.5Overhang angles and supports3.6Build orientation3.7Tolerances and machining allowances3.8Design for powder removal3.9Design for post-processing3.10Lab: topology optimisation of a bracket
4.1Power, speed and hatch spacing4.2Layer thickness4.3Scan strategies4.4Contours and infill4.5Build plate preheating4.6Inert atmosphere4.7Parameter development4.8Melt pool monitoring4.9Batch control4.10Practical exercise: design of experiments for parameters
5.1Thermal simulation5.2Distortion prediction5.3Geometry compensation5.4Recoater collision risk5.5Microstructure simulation5.6Support simulation5.7Model calibration5.8Commercial tools5.9Validation with measurements5.10Lab: distortion simulation with specialised software
6.1Stress relief6.2Hot isostatic pressing6.3Ageing heat treatments6.4Separation from the build plate6.5Support removal6.6Finish machining6.7Surface finishing6.8Coatings6.9Final inspection6.10Case study: post-processing route for a titanium part
7.1Titanium Ti-6Al-4V7.2AlSi10Mg aluminium alloys7.3Stainless and maraging steels7.4Nickel superalloys7.5Powder management and recycling7.6AMS and ASTM process standards7.7Productivity and costs7.8Supply chain7.9Qualification in defence7.10Workshop: industrialisation plan for a family of parts
8.1Part selection8.2Redesign for additive8.3Material and process selection8.4Build simulation8.5Parameter definition8.6Post-processing route8.7Inspection plan8.8Cost analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
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.
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 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.
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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