CAD simulation course for structural parts of motorcycles
Online course of 300 hours in CAD simulation for motorcycle structural parts: 6 modules covering CAD modelling of structural components, finite element fundamentals, motorcycle load cases, advanced analyses, and validation and documentation, with an assigned technical tutor.
CAD simulation course for structural parts of motorcycles — studying from New Zealand
The motorcycle and two-wheeler sector in New Zealand is primarily retail, servicing, touring and recreational use, with a sizeable community of riders served by importers, dealerships and specialist workshops. Motorcycle safety and licensing fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Motorcycle Trade Association supports the sector. Engineers and technicians often work in dealership service departments, component importers or with small specialist manufacturers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is there a professional body in New Zealand that recognises motorcycle engineering?
There is no separate statutory register for motorcycle engineers in New Zealand. Engineering New Zealand covers the wider profession, and vehicle compliance is regulated by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers decide how much weight to give them.
Who employs motorcycle engineers in New Zealand?
Likely employers include importers and distributors, motorcycle workshops, performance and race teams, and engineering firms serving the automotive sector. Some roles relate to vehicle certification and safety. Employers generally judge candidates on hands-on ability and project evidence, and a private qualification may or may not be valued depending on the employer.
How long does the course take alongside a job in New Zealand?
The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer where 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
Model motorcycle structural parts using manufacturing criteria.
Apply the fundamentals of finite element analysis.
Define the representative load cases of a motorcycle.
Carry out fatigue, modal and optimisation analyses.
Validate models with experimental testing.
Document results in calculation reports.
Develop the complete structural analysis of a part.
Who it's for
- Structural analysis engineers working on motorcycle components.
- CAD designers who want to validate their own parts through simulation.
- Product engineers responsible for structural components.
- Simulation engineers moving into the two-wheeler sector.
- Chassis engineers.
- Finite element analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 1101:2017 (geometrical product specification, tolerancing)
- ISO 10303-242 (STEP for 3D mechanical design)
- FKM Guideline (analytical strength assessment)
- EN 1999-1-3 (Eurocode 9, fatigue of aluminium)
- ASME V&V 10 (verification and validation in computational solid mechanics)
- ISO 2768-1 (general tolerances)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 (construction requirements)
- SolidWorks Simulation
- Ansys Mechanical
- Siemens NX
- Altair HyperMesh
- Autodesk Fusion
6 modules
1.1Structural parts of a motorcycle1.2Parametric modelling and design intent1.3Surfaces for freeform parts1.4Assemblies and mates1.5Geometric tolerances on critical parts1.6Design for manufacturing1.7Version management1.8Exchange using neutral formats1.9Preparing the model for simulation1.10Practical exercise: modelling an upper triple clamp
2.1Discretisation and element types2.2Solid, shell and beam elements2.3Mesh quality and convergence2.4Boundary conditions and loads2.5Contacts and bolted joints2.6Linear and non-linear materials2.7Von Mises stress and failure criteria2.8Typical analysis errors2.9Verification with analytical calculation2.10Lab: mesh convergence on a steering knuckle
3.1Maximum front braking3.2Cornering at maximum lean3.3Bumps and vertical impact3.4Passenger and luggage loads3.5Engine loads on the mounts3.6Crash and misuse loads3.7Obtaining loads from track data3.8Combination of load cases3.9Dynamic and safety factors3.10Case study: loads on subframe mounts
4.1Fatigue analysis with S-N curves4.2Cumulative damage and Miner's rule4.3Modal analysis of parts4.4Tube buckling4.5Geometric non-linearity4.6Thermal analysis of exhaust brackets4.7Topology optimisation of brackets4.8Thickness optimisation4.9Analysis of welded joints4.10Practical exercise: topology optimisation of a footpeg bracket
5.1Correlation with bench tests5.2Strain gauges to validate the model5.3Correlation of modal frequencies5.4Calculation report5.5Peer review5.6Design change management5.7Traceability between requirements and analysis5.8PLM integration5.9Drawings and specifications5.10Workshop: calculation report for a bracket
6.1Part selection6.2Requirements and load cases6.3CAD model of the part6.4Finite element model6.5Static and fatigue analysis6.6Shape and thickness optimisation6.7Validation plan6.8Manufacturing drawings6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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 the intake, so it is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks Simulation, Ansys Mechanical, Siemens NX, Altair HyperMesh and Autodesk Fusion, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: fatigue analysis of a steering knuckle, topology optimisation of a bracket and correlation with strain gauges. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ISO 1101:2017, ISO 10303-242, FKM Guideline, EN 1999-1-3, ASME V&V 10, ISO 2768-1, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014.
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
- No prior qualification 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SolidWorks Simulation, Ansys Mechanical, Siemens NX, Altair HyperMesh, Autodesk Fusion, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, 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.
No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme 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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