Postgraduate Diploma in CAD/CAM Socket Design and Alignment
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in CAD/CAM design of prosthetic sockets and alignment, with 8 modules covering residual limb anatomy and biomechanics, socket design, shape capture, CAD modification, CAM manufacturing, prosthetic alignment and evaluation and simulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Postgraduate Diploma in CAD/CAM Socket Design and Alignment — studying from New Zealand
Health engineering in New Zealand covers medical devices, biomechanics, rehabilitation technology and occupational safety, with significant activity in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Medsafe regulator within the Ministry of Health oversees medical device approval, and the Accident Compensation Corporation plays a central role in workplace injury prevention and safety. Biomechanics research is supported by university groups and by the country's strong sports science community.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,960 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Will this qualification be recognised by Engineering New Zealand in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers here and runs the Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) pathway. SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition for any purpose is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check with them before relying on it for registration.
Would a biomechanics or wearables background help me find work in New Zealand?
Interest in wearables and workplace safety exists across New Zealand's health technology, rehabilitation, sport science and occupational health sectors. Whether an employer values a SEIUM qualifications depends on the employer's own assessment of your skills and experience. A portfolio of applied projects is often what carries the most weight in hiring decisions.
Can I study this while working full time in New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere, including from home, and you do not need a student visa for that. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 anatomy and biomechanics of the residual limb.
Compare total contact and selective weight-bearing socket designs.
Capture the shape of the residual limb with 3D scanners.
Digitally modify the socket model with CAD software.
Manufacture sockets by milling or 3D printing.
Carry out static and dynamic alignment of the prosthesis.
Evaluate the socket through simulation and user trials.
Who it's for
- Prosthetists and orthotists.
- Prosthetic CAD/CAM design engineers.
- Healthcare additive manufacturing specialists.
- Biomechanical engineers.
- 3D scanning technicians.
- Orthopaedic product engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the prosthetics and orthotics sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10328 (structural testing of lower-limb prostheses)
- ISO 22675 (testing of prosthetic ankle-foot devices)
- ISO 22523 (external limb prostheses and orthoses, requirements)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR, custom-made devices)
- ISO 13485 (quality management systems)
- ISO 10993-1 (biological evaluation)
- ISO 8549-1 (prosthetics and orthotics, vocabulary)
- Rodin4D
- Canfit (Vorum)
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Autodesk Meshmixer
- Ansys Mechanical
8 modules
1.1Lower and upper limb amputation levels1.2Anatomy of the transtibial residual limb1.3Anatomy of the transfemoral residual limb1.4Pressure-tolerant zones1.5Residual limb volume and fluctuations1.6Skin and soft tissues1.7Biomechanics of prosthetic gait1.8Forces at the socket-limb interface1.9Clinical assessment of the patient1.10Case study: assessment of a transtibial patient
2.1PTB and total contact sockets2.2TSB total surface bearing socket2.3Ischial containment transfemoral sockets2.4Silicone and gel liners2.5Suspension systems2.6Adjustable sockets2.7Osseointegrated solutions2.8Ventilation and sweat management2.9Selection criteria2.10Practical exercise: socket selection for a clinical case
3.1Traditional plaster casting3.2Handheld and structured-light 3D scanners3.3Photogrammetry3.4Capture under load3.5Accuracy and repeatability3.6Mesh formats3.7Mesh cleaning3.8Registration of anatomical landmarks3.9Shape databases3.10Lab: scanning and cleaning a residual limb
4.1Prosthetics and orthotics CAD software4.2Digital rectification4.3Relief and load-bearing zones4.4Rectification templates4.5Volume-based modifications4.6Designing check sockets4.7Statistical shape modelling4.8Parametric design4.9Design documentation4.10Workshop: digital rectification of a transtibial socket
5.1Milling of positive models5.2Thermoforming of sockets5.3Carbon fibre lamination5.43D printing in PA12 and PP5.5Multi Jet Fusion and FDM5.6Strength of printed sockets to ISO 103285.7Finishing and comfort5.8Quality control5.9Costs and lead times5.10Practical exercise: preparing a socket for 3D printing
6.1Bench alignment6.2Static alignment6.3Dynamic alignment6.4Components: feet, knees and adaptors6.5Load line and knee stability6.6Laser alignment tools6.7Sensor-assisted alignment6.8Common errors and their effects on gait6.9Fine-tuning with the patient6.10Lab: aligning a transtibial prosthesis
7.1FEM simulation of the interface7.2Pressure sensors in sockets7.3Prosthetic gait analysis7.4PEQ and SCS questionnaires7.5Satisfaction and comfort7.6Long-term follow-up7.7Regulation on custom-made medical devices7.8Clinical documentation7.9Evidence on CAD/CAM7.10Case study: comparing sockets by pressure
8.1Clinical case and requirements8.2Shape capture8.3CAD rectification8.4Manufacturing8.5Alignment8.6Sensor-based evaluation8.7Results analysis8.8Clinical conclusions8.9Report 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 the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Rodin4D, Canfit (Vorum), Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Meshmixer and Ansys Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for 3D scanning of residual limbs, manufacture of check sockets by milling and 3D printing, and dynamic alignment in a gait laboratory. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: ISO 10328, ISO 22675, ISO 22523, Regulation (EU) 2017/745, ISO 13485, ISO 10993-1, ISO 8549-1.
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.
- A computer capable of running the programme software and an internet connection.
- 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 Rodin4D, Canfit (Vorum), Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Meshmixer and Ansys Mechanical, 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 suitable computer 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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