DfM/DfA/DfC and Cost Engineering: cost targets, tooling, and trade-offs with quality.
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in DfM engineering. 12 modules covering process selection, injection moulding, sheet metal, CNC machining, casting and forging, additive manufacturing, composites, PCB DFM, joining, costing and DfM validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
DfM/DfA/DfC and Cost Engineering: cost targets, tooling, and trade-offs with quality. — studying from South Africa
Product design and human-machine interface work is increasingly important across South African manufacturing, consumer goods and software. Industrial design teams in the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal work on products for local and export markets, from appliances to automotive interiors. Digital product and interface design is in demand as companies build more connected products. Designers often collaborate with engineers, ergonomics specialists and quality teams throughout the development process.
Fees for South Africa: R 185 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Do South African professional bodies recognise qualifications in HMI and product design?
In South Africa, design professions are overseen by bodies such as the South African Council for the Architectural Profession for architecture and the South African Institute of Interior Designers for interior work, while product and UX design is largely unregulated. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Employers and clients decide how much weight to give them.
Will this programme help me get work in product or HMI design in South Africa?
South Africa's technology, automotive, consumer goods and software firms hire designers, usually assessing portfolios, practical skills and experience. A private online qualification can add to your credentials and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee a role. Build a strong portfolio and ask target employers how they view the qualification.
How much time does it take, and can I pay in instalments?
The programme is delivered entirely online and in English, so you need good English for coursework and communication with your tutor. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so choose a level that suits your schedule. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible if your employer supports professional development.
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
Select manufacturing processes according to volume, cost and quality.
Apply design rules for injection moulding, sheet metal, machining and casting.
Design parts optimised for additive manufacturing and composites.
Review electronic designs using PCB DFM criteria.
Simulate processes to anticipate manufacturing defects.
Estimate part and tooling costs by process.
Integrate DfM into industrial validation and launch.
Who it's for
- DfM engineers looking to broaden their knowledge across all major processes.
- Manufacturing process engineers who work closely with design teams.
- Tooling and mould engineers involved in part design reviews.
- Manufacturing cost engineers estimating part and tooling costs.
- Mechanical product designers who want their parts right first time.
- Industrialisation engineers bringing new products into series production.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 20457:2018 (plastics moulded parts: tolerances and acceptance conditions)
- ISO 2768-1:1989 (general tolerances for linear and angular dimensions)
- ISO 8062-3:2023 (dimensional and geometrical tolerances for moulded parts)
- ISO/ASTM 52910:2018 (design for additive manufacturing)
- IPC-2221B (generic standard on printed board design)
- IPC-A-610 (acceptability of electronic assemblies)
- ISO 2553:2019 (symbolic representation of welds)
- ISO 13920:1996 (general tolerances for welded constructions)
- Autodesk Moldflow
- AutoForm
- MAGMASOFT
- aPriori
- Siemens NX
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The manufacturing value chain1.2Process selection by volume1.3Ashby process charts1.4Fixed and variable manufacturing costs1.5Process variability and Cpk1.6Interaction between designer and manufacturer1.7Company design standards1.8The most common DfM errors1.9DfM indicators in development1.10Case study: process selection for a bracket
2.1Uniform wall thickness2.2Ribs, gussets and bosses2.3Draft angles by texture2.4Gate locations and weld lines2.5Shrinkage and warpage2.6Voids and sink marks2.7Slides, cores and ejectors2.8Moulded clips and snap-fits2.9Materials and reinforcing fillers2.10Lab: warpage simulation in Moldflow
3.1Laser cutting and punching3.2Bending and minimum radii3.3K-factor and flat pattern3.4Deep drawing and limiting draw ratio3.5Progressive and transfer dies3.6Hole-to-bend distances3.7Clinching, rivets and spot welding3.8Burrs and directionality3.9Springback in AHSS steels3.10Practical: forming simulation in AutoForm
4.1Tool accessibility and overhangs4.2Internal radii and cutter diameters4.3Deep pockets and thin walls4.4Threads, drilled holes and countersinks4.5Workholding and number of set-ups4.6Economical machining tolerances4.7Surface roughness and its cost4.8Simultaneous 5-axis machining4.9Machinability of materials4.10Workshop: reducing set-ups for a milled part
5.1Aluminium high-pressure die casting5.2Sand casting and cores5.3Lost-wax investment casting5.4Parting planes and draft5.5Feeding and risers5.6Porosity and its prevention5.7Hot forging and drop forging5.8Machining allowances5.9Megacasting of vehicle structures5.10Case study: filling simulation in MAGMASOFT
6.1Additive processes according to ISO/ASTM 529006.2Build orientation6.3Support structures and their removal6.4Allowable overhang angles6.5Achievable tolerances and accuracy6.6Thermal and mechanical post-processing6.7Consolidating several parts into one6.8Lattice structures6.9Costs per part and volume6.10Lab: redesigning a bracket for laser powder bed fusion
7.1Lay-up and vacuum bagging7.2Resin transfer moulding (RTM)7.3Prepregs and autoclave7.4Pultrusion of profiles7.5SMC and BMC compression moulding7.6Thermoforming of thermoplastic composites7.7Aluminium profile extrusion7.8Powder metallurgy and sintering7.9Metal injection moulding (MIM)7.10Practical: designing an SMC part
8.1PCB DFM rules according to IPC-22218.2SMD footprints and components8.3Reflow soldering profiles8.4Panelisation and depanelling8.5Test points and in-circuit testing8.6Conformal coating8.7Cable harnesses and connectors8.8Integrating PCBs into housings8.9Acceptability according to IPC-A-6108.10Workshop: DFM review of a board
9.1Design of welded joints to ISO 25539.2Bolted joints and tightening torque9.3Riveting and blind rivets9.4Structural adhesive joints9.5Ultrasonic welding of plastics9.6Press fits and snap-fits9.7Assembly sequences and accessibility9.8Robotic assembly and grippers9.9Quality control of joints9.10Case study: replacing screws with clips in a housing
10.1Cost estimation by process10.2Mould cost and life10.3Cost of dies and fixtures10.4Amortisation by volume10.5Prototype versus production tooling10.6Parametric cost models10.7Negotiation with tooling suppliers10.8Cost of quality and scrap10.9Cost sensitivity to tolerances10.10Lab: cost comparison between injection moulding and machining
11.1Process FMEA and its link with design11.2Manufacturing control plans11.3PPAP part approval11.4First article inspection reports11.5Initial capability studies11.6Defect catalogue by process11.7DfM checklists11.8Formal DfM reviews11.9Lessons learned from launches11.10Practical: DfM checklist for an injection-moulded part
12.1Selection of the part or assembly12.2Analysis of current manufacturing12.3Process alternatives evaluated12.4DfM redesign in CAD12.5Simulation of the chosen process12.6Series production cost estimation12.7Industrial validation plan12.8Final comparison of alternatives12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online 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 each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Moldflow, AutoForm, MAGMASOFT, aPriori and Siemens NX, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: simulation of injection moulding, forming and casting processes, DfM reviews with tooling suppliers and analysis of first samples and capability. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 20457:2018, ISO 2768-1:1989, ISO 8062-3:2023, ISO/ASTM 52910:2018, IPC-2221B, IPC-A-610, ISO 2553:2019, ISO 13920:1996.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Autodesk Moldflow, AutoForm, MAGMASOFT, aPriori, Siemens NX, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the 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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