Course in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies
The DC-DC Converters in EV Course explores the design, operation and control of DC-DC converters used in electric vehicles (EVs). It focuses on understanding topologies, circuit modelling and the analysis of energy efficiency. It links with battery systems, electric motors and EV chargers. The course includes the use of simulation tools and covers circuit protection topics, essential for reliability and compliance with standards in the automotive industry.
The programme facilitates the development of practical skills in fault diagnosis and performance optimisation. It offers key knowledge for component selection and the implementation of advanced control strategies. The course prepares participants for roles such as power systems design engineers, power electronics analysts and EV charging systems specialists, increasing their employability in the electric mobility sector.
Course in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies — studying from South Africa
Mining, agriculture and construction make off-road and specialised machinery central to South Africa's economy. Mining equipment manufacturers and service providers support the country's extensive gold, platinum and coal operations, while agricultural machinery serves commercial farming. Engineers working on heavy vehicles and special machines focus on hydraulics, drivetrains and durability under harsh conditions. The South African Bureau of Standards and the Mine Health and Safety Council set relevant standards and safety requirements.
Fees for South Africa: R 8 340 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body. Engineering registration is handled by ECSA, and machinery safety standards are linked to SABS and the Department of Employment and Labour's regulations. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this with them before you enrol.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in off-road and special vehicles?
Mining, agriculture, construction and vehicle-conversion firms value practical machinery knowledge and proven problem-solving. A private qualification can support your application, especially with hands-on experience, but it carries no official status. Its weight depends on each employer, so ask potential employers in your field how they would view it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM directly.
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
Justify the use of a tubular chassis over other structural solutions.
Define the chassis geometry and mounting points.
Size tubes and joints for service and rollover loads.
Select materials and processes for cutting and bending tubes.
Specify welding procedures and their quality control.
Validate the chassis through simulation and testing.
Design the complete tubular chassis of a buggy.
Who it's for
- Competition chassis engineer who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- TIG boilermaker-welder who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- Structural calculation engineer who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- Competition vehicle preparer who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- CAD designer of tubular structures who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- Welding inspector who wants to specialise in Tubular Chassis Design for Buggies.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter off-road competition.
What you'll work with
- Appendix J of the FIA International Sporting Code (safety structures)
- EN 10305-1 (cold-drawn seamless precision steel tubes)
- ISO 5817 (quality levels for welds)
- ISO 9606-1 (qualification of welders)
- ISO 15614-1 (qualification of welding procedures)
- ISO 3834-2 (quality requirements for welding)
- RD 866/2010 (processing of vehicle modifications)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Advantages over monocoque1.2Buggy requirements and use1.3Project starting specification1.4Regulations that condition the design1.5Target weight and target stiffness1.6Integration of mechanical assemblies1.7Handcrafted manufacturing and repeatability1.8Project cost and timescale1.9Design documentation1.10Workshop: chassis specification
2.1Track widths, wheelbase and heights2.2Positioning of the driver and engine2.3Fuel tank and its protection2.4Suspension mounting points2.5Cockpit and survival volume2.6Triangulation of the assembly2.7Joints and tube intersections2.8Accessibility for maintenance2.9Three-dimensional chassis modelling2.10Practice: chassis architecture
3.1Buggy load assumptions3.2Forces at the mounting points3.3Torsional stiffness: target and calculation3.4Selection of diameters and wall thicknesses3.5Joint calculation3.6Bar model and its analysis3.7Finite elements and validation3.8Simplified fatigue analysis3.9Weight-stiffness optimisation3.10Practice: sizing and analysis
4.1Commonly used steels4.2Certificates and traceability4.3Tube cutting and preparation of ends4.4Cutting templates4.5Bending and radii4.6Tooling and assembly jig4.7Manufacturing tolerances4.8Dimensional control during assembly4.9Stress relieving4.10Practice: templates and tube preparation
5.1TIG and MIG procedures5.2Welder qualification and practice5.3Sequence for controlling distortion5.4Typical defects and their prevention5.5Visual and dye penetrant inspection5.6Final dimensional control5.7Corrosion protection5.8Photographic record of the process5.9Manufacturing dossier5.10Practice: testing of coupons and weld beads
6.1Suspension and steering assembly6.2Engine and transmission installation6.3Routing of ducts and wiring6.4Weighing and mass distribution6.5Torsional stiffness test6.6Running-in and track validation6.7Inspection after the first tests6.8Evolution and improvements6.9Common design errors6.10Final project: complete tubular chassis project
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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS Mechanical, Altair HyperWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for calculating chassis torsional stiffness, visual and dye penetrant inspection of welds, and load tests on the safety roll cage. Assessment is continuous by 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.
Justify the use of a tubular chassis over other structural solutions.
Define the chassis geometry and mounting points.
Size tubes and joints for service and rollover loads.
Select materials and processes for cutting and bending tubes.
Specify welding procedures and their quality control.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is 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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS Mechanical, Altair HyperWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating 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 higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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