Diploma in Locking Differential Design
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in locking differential design. 8 modules covering differential types, bevel and hypoid gears, locking mechanisms and actuation, calculation to ISO 10300 and ISO 6336, vehicle integration, dynamic simulation, and manufacturing, testing and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Locking Differential Design — studying from Ireland
Ireland has an active heritage vehicle and classic machinery community, supported by clubs, restoration workshops and specialist suppliers serving classic cars, motorcycles and agricultural equipment. Engineering skills in this area combine historical knowledge with modern techniques in fabrication, materials and diagnostics. Restoration work is often linked to heritage conservation and museum collections, and classic vehicles operate under national roadworthiness and vehicle registration rules. Professional bodies and enthusiast organisations help maintain standards and knowledge across the sector.
Fees for Ireland: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is there a recognised professional body in Ireland for classic vehicle restoration?
Classic vehicle restoration in Ireland is largely a craft and hobby sector, supported by enthusiast clubs and heritage bodies rather than a regulated professional title. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership or formal recognition. Check the requirements of any club or body you wish to join.
Would Irish restoration businesses or employers value this qualification?
Restoration businesses in Ireland often rely on hands-on skill, reputation and portfolio work. A private online qualification may add to your CV, but employers decide for themselves whether it is relevant. Your final project can help show your capability, though there is no guarantee of any outcome.
Can I study this part-time while keeping my current commitments?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home around existing commitments. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and each student has 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
Understand how the different types of differential work.
Analyse the geometry of bevel and hypoid gears.
Design locking mechanisms and their actuation systems.
Size components to gear calculation standards.
Integrate locking differentials into the vehicle.
Simulate the effect of lockers on vehicle dynamics.
Plan the manufacture and validation of a differential.
Who it's for
- Driveline engineers working on axles and differentials.
- Gear design engineers specialising in bevel and hypoid sets.
- Powertrain test engineers responsible for rig and vehicle validation.
- Off-road vehicle engineers developing traction solutions.
- Motorsport preparation technicians setting up competition drivelines.
- Driveline quality engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10300 (calculation of load capacity of bevel gears)
- ISO 23509 (bevel and hypoid gear geometry)
- ISO 6336 (calculation of load capacity of spur and helical gears)
- ANSI/AGMA 2003 (rating the pitting resistance and bending strength of bevel gears)
- ISO 281 (rolling bearings: dynamic load ratings and rating life)
- ISO 1328-1 (cylindrical gears: ISO system of flank tolerance classification)
- KISSsoft
- MASTA
- Romax
- SolidWorks
8 modules
1.1Why a differential is needed when cornering1.2Open bevel gear differential1.3Torque split and loss of traction1.4Limited-slip differentials1.5100% lockers1.6Centre differentials and transfer units1.7Torsen and helical gear differentials1.8Viscous couplings1.9Electronically controlled active differentials1.10Practical exercise: measuring torque split in an open differential
2.1Bevel gear geometry2.2Spiral bevel and hypoid toothing2.3Reduction ratio and offset2.4Mesh forces2.5Contact pattern and setting2.6Materials and heat treatments2.7Hypoid lubrication2.8Noise and transmission error2.9Cutting and grinding2.10Lab: contact pattern of a bevel gear set
3.1Dog clutch lockers3.2Pneumatic actuation3.3Electric actuation3.4Hydraulic actuation3.5Cable-operated lockers3.6Multi-plate clutches3.7Ramps and preload in self-locking differentials3.8Locker position sensors3.9Safety and interlocks3.10Workshop: teardown of a pneumatic locker
4.1Design torque and load spectrum4.2Tooth bending strength4.3Surface contact pressure4.4Sizing of pinion and side gears4.5Pinion shafts and cross pins4.6Differential housing4.7Bearing selection4.8Bolted joints and splines4.9Safety factors4.10Practical exercise: calculating a bevel gear set with KISSsoft
5.1Beam axles and live axles5.2Differentials in independent drivelines5.3Interaction with the suspension5.4Electronic traction control5.5Automatic locking strategies5.6Differentials in competition 4x4s5.7Differentials in agricultural and industrial vehicles5.8Oil cooling5.9Maintenance and service life5.10Case study: selecting lockers for an expedition off-road vehicle
6.1Differential models in vehicle simulation6.2Effect on understeer and oversteer6.3Traction on low-grip surfaces6.4Impact loads and torque spikes6.5Multibody simulation6.6Fatigue analysis6.7Preload optimisation6.8Calibration of active differentials6.9Correlation with track data6.10Lab: traction simulation with a locked axle
7.1Machining of housings7.2Assembly and preload setting7.3Differential test rigs7.4Durability testing7.5Noise testing7.6Lock and unlock testing7.7Failure analysis7.8Quality control7.9Technical documentation7.10Practical exercise: test plan for a locking differential
8.1Vehicle specification8.2Load analysis8.3Selection of the locker type8.4Gear calculation8.5Housing and actuator design8.6Behaviour simulation8.7Validation plan8.8Drawings and documentation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is KISSsoft, MASTA, Romax and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for contact pattern checks on bevel gear sets, durability testing on a differential rig and locking tests on low-grip terrain. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 10300, ISO 23509, ISO 6336, ANSI/AGMA 2003, ISO 281, ISO 1328-1.
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.
- 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 KISSsoft, MASTA, Romax and SolidWorks, 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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