Diploma in Moulding and Autoclave Techniques
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in moulding and autoclave techniques. 8 modules covering advanced composite materials, tooling and moulds, manual and automated lay-up, vacuum bagging and autoclave curing, out-of-autoclave processes, cure kinetics and simulation, and quality and inspection, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Select fibres and matrices according to the part's requirements.
Design tooling that compensates for thermal expansion.
Carry out manual and automated lay-ups.
Programme autoclave cure cycles.
Compare out-of-autoclave processes.
Characterise curing using thermal analysis techniques.
Inspect composite parts using non-destructive testing.
Who it's for
- Composite manufacturing engineers in aerospace, defence or automotive.
- Autoclave technicians who run and control cure cycles.
- Tooling engineers designing moulds for composite parts.
- Composite quality specialists responsible for inspection and testing.
- Process engineers improving manufacturing routes and cycle times.
- Lay-up technicians moving towards automated processes.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites)
- ASTM D2344 (short-beam strength / interlaminar shear)
- ASTM D5528 (mode I interlaminar fracture toughness)
- ASTM D7264 (flexural properties of polymer matrix composites)
- EN 9100 (quality management systems for aviation, space and defence)
- ASTM E1640 (glass transition temperature by DMA)
- ASTM D2734 (void content of reinforced plastics)
- Siemens Fibersim
- Ansys Composite PrepPost
- ESI PAM-RTM
- Abaqus
- CATIA Composites Design
8 modules
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Epoxy, BMI and phenolic matrices1.3PEEK and PEKK thermoplastics1.4Prepregs and their storage1.5Woven fabrics, unidirectionals and NCF1.6Honeycomb cores and foams1.7Micromechanics and the rule of mixtures1.8Classical laminate theory1.9Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure criteria1.10Practical exercise: calculation of a symmetric laminate
2.1Mould materials: Invar, steel and composite2.2Thermal expansion and compensation2.3Design of male and female moulds2.4Reference surfaces and tolerances2.5Release agents2.6Moulds for autoclave curing2.7Mould maintenance and repair2.8Thermal simulation of tooling2.9Mould cost and service life2.10Workshop: design of a mould for a curved panel
3.1Clean room and environmental control3.2Ply cutting with a CNC cutter3.3Ply stacking and orientation3.4Intermediate debulking3.5Laser ply projection3.6Automated tape laying (ATL)3.7Automated fibre placement (AFP)3.8Lay-up defects: wrinkles and voids3.9Material traceability3.10Laboratory: lay-up of a test panel
4.1Bagging consumables4.2Peel ply, release films and breathers4.3Sealing and leak testing4.4Autoclave operation4.5Pressure and temperature cycles4.6Thermocouples and cycle control4.7Exotherms and thick laminates4.8Safety in pressure vessels4.9Cycle recording and acceptance4.10Practical exercise: programming a cure cycle
5.1Vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARTM)5.2Resin transfer moulding (RTM)5.3High-pressure RTM5.4OOA prepregs5.5Compression moulding5.6Oven and microwave curing5.7Thermoforming of thermoplastics5.8Thermoplastic welding5.9Cost and quality comparison5.10Case study: process selection for a fairing
6.1Cross-linking reaction6.2Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)6.3Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)6.4Glass transition and degree of cure6.5Viscosity and processing window6.6Cure kinetics models6.7Mould filling simulation6.8Residual stresses and warpage6.9Thermal cycle optimisation6.10Laboratory: DSC test of a resin
7.1Porosity and fibre content7.2Ultrasonic C-scan inspection7.3Active thermography7.4Computed tomography7.5Tensile and flexural testing7.6Interlaminar shear7.7Interlaminar fracture toughness7.8Process qualification7.9Disposition of non-conformities7.10Case study: analysis of delaminations
8.1Part definition and requirements8.2Material selection8.3Tooling design8.4Lay-up plan8.5Proposed cure cycle8.6Inspection and test plan8.7Cost estimate8.8Manufacturing risk analysis8.9Report 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 Siemens Fibersim, Ansys Composite PrepPost, ESI PAM-RTM, Abaqus and CATIA Composites Design, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for autoclave curing with thermocouple logging, ultrasonic C-scan inspection and interlaminar shear testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM D3039, ASTM D2344, ASTM D5528, ASTM D7264, EN 9100, ASTM E1640 and ASTM D2734.
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's 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 Siemens Fibersim, Ansys Composite PrepPost, ESI PAM-RTM, Abaqus and CATIA Composites Design, 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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