Diploma in AM for Critical Defence Spare Parts
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in additive manufacturing (AM) for critical defence spare parts: 8 modules covering AM and logistics, metal processes, polymer and composite processes, reverse engineering and design, post-processing and quality control, qualification and certification and field deployment, under ISO/ASTM 52900, ISO/ASTM 52904 and NASA-STD-6030, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in AM for Critical Defence Spare Parts — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is 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
Analyse the potential of additive manufacturing in defence logistics.
Select metal and polymer additive processes.
Apply reverse engineering and design for additive manufacturing.
Define the post-processing and inspection of parts.
Plan the qualification and certification of spare parts.
Manage intellectual property and technical data security.
Develop a critical spare part using additive manufacturing.
Who it's for
- Additive manufacturing engineers.
- Spare parts logistics specialists.
- Qualification engineers.
- Designers for additive manufacturing.
- 3D metrology technicians.
- Sustainment engineers working on military fleets.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing terminology and process categories)
- ISO/ASTM 52904 (metal powder bed fusion for critical applications)
- NASA-STD-6030 (additive manufacturing requirements for spaceflight systems)
- AMS 7003 (laser powder bed fusion process)
- ASTM F3301 (post-processing of metal parts made by powder bed fusion)
- ASTM F3001 (additive manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V ELI by powder bed fusion)
- ISO/ASTM 52910 (design for additive manufacturing)
- Materialise Magics
- nTop
- Ansys Additive
- Geomagic Design X
- Autodesk Fusion
8 modules
1.1The spare parts problem in defence1.2Supplier obsolescence1.3Point-of-use manufacturing1.4Process classification according to ISO/ASTM 529001.5Experience in military fleets1.6Digital supply chain1.7Digital parts libraries1.8Cost analysis1.9National and allied strategies1.10Case study: prioritising candidate spare parts
2.1Laser powder bed fusion2.2Electron beam melting2.3Directed energy deposition2.4Binder jetting2.5Wire arc additive manufacturing2.6Cold spray2.7Metal powders and their control2.8Process parameters2.9Typical defects2.10Laboratory: PBF-LB parameter window
3.1Material extrusion3.2Polymer laser sintering3.3Multi Jet Fusion3.4PEEK and ULTEM engineering polymers3.5Continuous fibre composites3.6Printed tooling and moulds3.7Mechanical properties3.8Fire behaviour3.9Vehicle applications3.10Practical exercise: printing a part in an engineering polymer
4.13D scanning4.2CAD reconstruction4.3Design for additive manufacturing4.4Topology optimisation4.5Process simulation4.6Support strategies4.7Tolerances and machining allowances4.8Part consolidation4.9Technical data package4.10Workshop: reverse engineering of a discontinued part
5.1Hot isostatic pressing5.2Heat treatments5.3Finish machining5.4Surface finishing5.5Industrial computed tomography5.6Mechanical testing5.7In-situ monitoring5.8Digital traceability5.9Post-processing according to ASTM F33015.10Laboratory: CT inspection
6.1Material, process and machine qualification6.2AMS 7003 specification6.3NASA-STD-6030 standard6.4Military airworthiness of additive parts6.5Criticality classes6.6Equivalence with original parts6.7Qualification documentation6.8Relationship with technical authorities6.9Machine-to-machine repeatability6.10Case study: qualification plan for a bracket
7.1Expeditionary manufacturing7.2Containerised manufacturing units7.3Cybersecurity of build files7.4Intellectual property rights7.5Export controls7.6Technical data management7.7Personnel training7.8Lessons from deployments7.9Collaboration models with manufacturers7.10Workshop: technical data licence agreement
8.1Selection of the critical part8.2Reverse engineering8.3Redesign for additive manufacturing8.4Process and material selection8.5Manufacturing and post-processing8.6Inspection plan8.7Qualification route8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Materialise Magics, nTop, Ansys Additive, Geomagic Design X and Autodesk Fusion, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for reverse engineering of obsolete parts, computed tomography inspection and qualification plans for additive parts. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO/ASTM 52900, ISO/ASTM 52904, NASA-STD-6030, AMS 7003, ASTM F3301, ASTM F3001, ISO/ASTM 52910.
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, nTop, Ansys Additive, Geomagic Design X and Autodesk Fusion, 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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