Postgraduate Diploma in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards. 8 modules covering ISO 10218-1:2025, ISO 9787:2013 and KUKA WorkVisual. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards — studying from New Zealand
Robotics and automation are increasingly important in New Zealand, especially in dairy processing, food manufacturing, forestry, horticulture and logistics. Research groups at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury lead in robotics and control engineering, and firms in these regions develop automated systems for primary industries. Engineers work on process control, industrial automation and robotic integration for manufacturers and technology providers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies recognise robotics and control engineering?
Engineering New Zealand is the professional body, and the Chartered Professional Engineer pathway is the recognised route to professional status. Universities such as the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury offer accredited engineering degrees. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition rests with employers or the relevant body.
Do robotics and automation employers in New Zealand value this training?
New Zealand has demand for automation skills in dairy processing, food manufacturing, forestry, and advanced manufacturing. Employers generally value practical project experience and programming ability highly. A SEIUM qualification can strengthen a CV, but whether it counts is for each employer to decide.
Is the programme workable alongside a full-time job in New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in New Zealand without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees are payable in instalments or sponsored by an employer where 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
Understand the architectures of the main robot controllers.
Programme applications in KRL, RAPID, TP and INFORM.
Apply corporate standards for structure and naming.
Design standardised PLC-robot interfaces.
Manage errors and recovery in a consistent way.
Migrate programmes between robot manufacturers.
Audit the quality of robot code.
Who it's for
- Multi-brand robot programmer looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Automation standards engineer looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Robotic maintenance technician looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Robotic systems integrator looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Commissioning engineer looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Technical trainer in robotics looking to specialise in KUKA/ABB/FANUC/Yaskawa Programming Standards.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10218-1:2025
- ISO 9787:2013
- ISO 8373:2021
- OPC 40010-1 (OPC UA for Robotics)
- IEC 61131-3:2013
- ISO 9283:1998
- IEC 61784-3:2021
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Architectures of KUKA KR C51.2Architectures of ABB OmniCore1.3Architectures of FANUC R-30iB Plus1.4Architectures of Yaskawa YRC10001.5Teach pendants and operating modes1.6File structure and backups1.7Licences and software options1.8Manufacturer-integrated safety1.9Multi-brand selection criteria1.10Workshop: controller comparison
2.1Structure of .src and .dat programmes2.2PTP, LIN, CIRC and SPLINE motions2.3Variables, structures and data types2.4Interrupts and triggers2.5Submit interpreter and background tasks2.6PLC communication and I/O2.7KUKA.Gripper and KUKA.ArcTech technologies2.8Base and tool management2.9Debugging in WorkVisual2.10Practical exercise: KRL handling programme
3.1Modules, routines and persistent data3.2MoveJ, MoveL and MoveC instructions3.3robtarget, tooldata and wobjdata data3.4Error management with ERROR handlers3.5Multitasking and semiStatic3.6Socket communication and PC SDK3.7World zones and space supervision3.8Programming in RobotStudio3.9ABB programme standards3.10Laboratory: RAPID application with world zones
4.1TP programmes and positions4.2Numeric and position registers4.3User and tool frames4.4Macros and background programmes4.5Karel for advanced logic4.6I/O and communication management4.7FANUC DCS4.8iRVision options for visual guidance4.9Simulation in ROBOGUIDE4.10Practical exercise: TP programme with position registers
5.1Structure of INFORM jobs5.2MOVJ, MOVL and MOVC instructions5.3Position and user variables5.4Concurrent I/O and ladder logic5.5Functional Safety Unit5.6Coordination with external axes5.7MotoPlus and MotoCom5.8Simulation in MotoSim5.9Yaskawa welding applications5.10Laboratory: INFORM job with positioner
6.1Why standardise across brands6.2Automotive OEM standards6.3Modular programme structure6.4Naming of points and signals6.5Standardised PLC-robot interfaces6.6Mode and state management6.7Homing and error recovery6.8Comments and code documentation6.9Reusable templates and libraries6.10Case study: common KUKA and ABB template
7.1PLC-robot signal exchange via fieldbus7.2Standardised robot interface profiles7.3OPC UA Companion Specification for Robotics7.4Backups and version control7.5Migrating programmes between brands7.6Alarm diagnostics by manufacturer7.7Multi-brand preventive maintenance7.8Training plant personnel7.9Code quality auditing7.10Practical exercise: migrating a FANUC programme to ABB
8.1Definition of the common application8.2Proposed programming standard8.3Implementation in KUKA8.4Implementation in ABB8.5Implementation in FANUC or Yaskawa8.6Common PLC interface8.7Testing and comparison of results8.8Final style guide8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is KUKA WorkVisual, ABB RobotStudio, FANUC ROBOGUIDE, Yaskawa MotoSim EG-VRC, Siemens TIA Portal, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures for implementing the same application across several brands, robot code audits and programme migration between controllers. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus a final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the architectures of the main robot controllers.
Programme applications in KRL, RAPID, TP and INFORM.
Apply corporate standards for structure and naming.
Design standardised PLC-robot interfaces.
Manage errors and recovery in a consistent way.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient 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 is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with KUKA WorkVisual, ABB RobotStudio, FANUC ROBOGUIDE, Yaskawa MotoSim EG-VRC and Siemens TIA Portal. 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 integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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