Diploma in Process Parameters and Cord Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in process parameters and weld bead control: 8 modules covering automated welding processes, process parameters, specification and qualification, bead geometry and defects, process monitoring, inspection and optimisation under ISO 3834-2:2021, ISO 15614-1:2017 and ISO 5817:2023, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Process Parameters and Cord Control — studying from Ireland
Ireland's manufacturing and technology sectors create strong demand for robotics, automation and control engineering, particularly in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food processing and electronics. Research centres and universities contribute work in autonomous systems, sensing and control theory, with links to industry through national research programmes. Engineers in this area design, integrate and commission robotic cells, programmable logic controllers and industrial automation systems. Safety requirements for machinery and robotic systems are overseen by national safety authorities and European machinery standards.
Fees for Ireland: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies relate to robotics and control engineering, and is this qualification recognised?
Robotics and control engineers in Ireland commonly pursue membership through Engineers Ireland, and the Science Foundation Ireland-funded research ecosystem supports the field. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body rather than conferred by the programme.
How do Irish employers in automation and robotics view private online training?
Employers in Ireland's technology and manufacturing automation sectors often value demonstrable project work and practical skills. A private online qualification can support your application, including through the final project, but its weight is at each employer's discretion. No particular role or career outcome is guaranteed.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and what language is it taught in?
The programme is taught entirely in English and delivered 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in Ireland or abroad. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
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 the right automated welding process for each joint.
Adjust process parameters and calculate heat input.
Write and qualify welding procedures according to ISO 15609 and ISO 15614.
Assess bead geometry and defects according to ISO 5817.
Monitor the process and detect anomalies in line.
Plan the inspection and quality control of joints.
Optimise parameters through design of experiments.
Who it's for
- Welding engineers.
- Robotic welding process technicians.
- Welding inspectors.
- Welding coordinators.
- Welding robot programmers.
- Joint quality managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3834-2:2021 (comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding)
- ISO 15614-1:2017 (welding procedure qualification)
- ISO 5817:2023 (quality levels for imperfections in welds)
- ISO 15609-1:2019 (welding procedure specification for arc welding)
- ISO 9606-1:2017 (welder qualification — steels)
- ISO 14732:2013 (welding operator qualification)
- ISO 17637:2016 (visual testing of fusion-welded joints)
- ISO 6520-1:2007 (classification of geometric imperfections)
- Fronius WeldCube
- Lincoln Electric Production Monitoring
- Meta Vision seam-tracking sensors
- Minitab
- Kemppi WeldEye
8 modules
1.1Robotic MIG/MAG welding1.2Automated TIG welding1.3Submerged arc welding1.4Laser and hybrid welding1.5Friction stir welding1.6Power sources and transfer modes1.7Pulsed arc and CMT1.8Consumables and shielding gases1.9Process selection according to the joint1.10Case study: process selection for a welded chassis
2.1Current, voltage and travel speed2.2Heat input and its calculation2.3Wire feed speed and stick-out2.4Torch angles and technique2.5Weaving and oscillation2.6Preheat and interpass temperature2.7Effect of parameters on geometry2.8Synergic programs in modern power sources2.9Robust parameter windows2.10Laboratory: effect of travel speed on penetration
3.1WPS specification according to ISO 15609-13.2Procedure qualification to ISO 15614-13.3WPQR record3.4Welder qualification to ISO 9606-13.5Welding operators to ISO 147323.6ISO 3834 quality requirements3.7Essential variables and ranges3.8WPS document management3.9ASME IX code as a reference3.10Practical exercise: writing a WPS for a MAG robot
4.1Penetration, width and reinforcement4.2ISO 5817 quality levels4.3Porosity and its causes4.4Lack of fusion and lack of penetration4.5Undercut and spatter4.6Hot and cold cracking4.7Distortion and residual stresses4.8Macrographs and measurement4.9Defect–parameter relationship4.10Workshop: defect diagnosis on welded test pieces
5.1Current and voltage acquisition5.2Arc monitoring systems5.3Through-arc seam tracking5.4Laser seam-tracking sensors5.5Weld pool cameras5.6Process signatures and anomaly detection5.7Per-bead parameter traceability5.8Integration with MES5.9Welding data analytics5.10Practical exercise: arc signal analysis to detect porosity
6.1Visual inspection according to ISO 176376.2Penetrant and magnetic particle testing6.3Ultrasonic and phased array testing6.4Industrial radiography6.5Laser profilometry of the bead6.6Automatic in-line inspection6.7Sampling and control plans6.8Statistical control of parameters6.9Non-conformity management6.10Case study: control plan for a robotic welding line
7.1Design of experiments in welding7.2Multi-objective parameter optimisation7.3Predictive geometry models7.4Adaptive bead control7.5Distortion reduction7.6Productivity and arc-on time7.7Gas and energy consumption7.8Torch maintenance7.9Continuous process improvement7.10Laboratory: DOE to optimise penetration and speed
8.1Description of the joint and requirements8.2Process selection8.3WPS development8.4Parameter window8.5Monitoring plan8.6Inspection plan8.7Analysis of results8.8Optimisation proposals8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the 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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Fronius WeldCube, Lincoln Electric Production Monitoring, Meta Vision seam-tracking sensors, Minitab and Kemppi WeldEye, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: developing a parameter window for robotic MAG welding, assessing defects according to ISO 5817, and monitoring arc signals in production. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 3834-2:2021, ISO 15614-1:2017, ISO 5817:2023, ISO 15609-1:2019, ISO 9606-1:2017, ISO 14732:2013, ISO 17637:2016, ISO 6520-1:2007.
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 Fronius WeldCube, Lincoln Electric Production Monitoring, Meta Vision seam-tracking sensors, Minitab and Kemppi WeldEye, 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 capable of running 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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