Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Resins and Functional Parts
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Resins and Functional Parts. 8 modules covering ISO 527-2 (tensile testing of plastics), ISO 178 (flexural testing of plastics) and PreForm. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Resins and Functional Parts — studying from Malta
Malta's rich heritage, including historic buildings, vintage vehicles and maritime craft, creates a niche for restoration and conservation work. Owners of classic cars, motorcycles and boats seek specialist workshops with knowledge of period engineering and materials. Restoration of historic architecture also requires engineers and technicians familiar with traditional construction methods and conservation rules. Opportunities tend to be found with specialist workshops, heritage organisations and private restorers.
Fees for Malta: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is there a recognised professional body in Malta for restoration and classic vehicle engineering?
Malta does not have a single state-regulated profession for classic vehicle restoration. Vehicle registration and roadworthiness are handled by Transport Malta. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is determined by employers, clients or the relevant body, so check these before enrolling.
What work could restoration engineers find in Malta?
Malta has a niche market for classic vehicle restoration, mainly through independent workshops, specialist garages and private collectors. Work is often built on reputation and practical craftsmanship. Whether a private online qualification adds value is for individual clients and employers to judge, so it is best to consider it alongside your hands-on experience.
Can I study this part-time with a workshop job, and is funding possible?
Yes. The programmes are fully online, taught in English and suitable for study from home, without needing a student visa. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, 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
Describe the chemistry of technical photopolymerisable resins.
Compare SLA, DLP and LCD processes.
Apply washing, curing and finishing post-processing.
Characterise mechanical and thermal properties through standardised tests.
Design functional parts with appropriate tolerances and wall thicknesses.
Reproduce restoration parts using technical resins.
Implement quality controls for short production runs.
Who it's for
- Additive manufacturing technician who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Product engineer who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Specialist in polymer materials who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Technical parts restorer who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Prototyping engineer who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Quality technician who wants to specialise in Technical Resins and Functional Parts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- ISO 527-2 (tensile testing of plastics)
- ISO 178 (flexural testing of plastics)
- ISO 179-1 (Charpy impact)
- ISO 75-2 (heat deflection temperature under load)
- ISO 868 (Shore hardness)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing, terminology)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Free-radical and cationic photopolymerisation1.2Acrylates, methacrylates and epoxies1.3Photoinitiators and wavelength1.4Degree of conversion and shrinkage1.5Ceramic- and glass-filled resins1.6Elastomeric and flexible resins1.7High-temperature resins1.8Castable resins for casting1.9Safety data sheets and handling1.10Laboratory: measuring the shrinkage of a resin
2.1Laser SLA, DLP and masked LCD2.2XY resolution and layer thickness2.3Exposure, working curves and Jacobs2.4Orientation and supports2.5Suction cup effect and peel forces2.6Printing hollow parts and drainage2.7Equipment calibration and maintenance2.8Common faults and diagnosis2.9Productivity and cost per part2.10Practice: optimising the orientation of a housing
3.1Washing with IPA and alternatives3.2UV and thermal post-curing3.3Effect of post-curing on properties3.4Support removal and sanding3.5Primers, paint and finishes3.6Metallising and coatings3.7Threaded inserts and joints3.8Dimensional stability after curing3.9Quality control of finished parts3.10Workshop: finishing an interior trim piece
4.1Tensile testing to ISO 527 and ASTM D6384.2Flexural testing to ISO 1784.3Izod and Charpy impact4.4HDT to ISO 754.5Creep and stress relaxation4.6Anisotropy between layers4.7Fatigue in printed parts4.8UV and humidity ageing4.9Interpreting technical data sheets4.10Laboratory: tensile test of printed specimens
5.1Design rules for resin: wall thicknesses and radii5.2Clips, hinges and snap fits5.3Achievable tolerances and compensation5.4Parts exposed to engine bay temperatures5.5Seals and elastomeric parts5.6Design for assembly with metal parts5.7Replacing Bakelite and old plastic parts5.8Topology optimisation in resin5.9Validation with FEA5.10Practice: redesigning a functional gear shift knob
6.1Reproducing discontinued knobs and buttons6.2Transparent lenses and lamps6.3Cabin grilles and vents6.4Patterns for lost-wax casting6.5Silicone moulds and vacuum casting6.6Fit-check prototypes6.7Textured interior parts6.8Authenticity and marking of reproductions6.9Limits of use in safety-critical parts6.10Case study: reproducing a rear lamp
7.1Resin production workflow7.2Resin batch traceability7.3Dimensional control by scanning7.4Quality standards for printed parts7.5Costs compared with injection moulding and machining7.6Resin waste management7.7Workplace safety7.8Sustainability and bio-based resins7.9Scaling up production7.10Case study: a run of fifty trim pieces
8.1Part selection and requirements8.2Resin selection8.3Design and adaptation8.4Simulation and virtual validation8.5Printing and post-processing8.6Functional testing8.7Quality plan and costs8.8Documentation of the reproduction8.9Dissertation and presentation8.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PreForm, CHITUBOX, Lychee Slicer, Autodesk Fusion, Materialise Magics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for tensile and flexural testing, heat deflection temperature under load, and functional fit tests. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the chemistry of technical photopolymerisable resins.
Compare SLA, DLP and LCD processes.
Apply washing, curing and finishing post-processing.
Characterise mechanical and thermal properties through standardised tests.
Design functional parts with appropriate tolerances and wall thicknesses.
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's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 spread over 6 to 8 months. That averages between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with PreForm, CHITUBOX, Lychee Slicer, Autodesk Fusion and Materialise Magics. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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