Diploma in Fault Diagnosis in Gearboxes/Drives
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in fault diagnosis of gearboxes and drives. 8 modules covering ISO 13373-1, ISO 13379-1 and ISO 15243:2017, with MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox, Python with SciPy and SKF @ptitude Analyst, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Fault Diagnosis in Gearboxes/Drives — studying from South Africa
Robotics and automation are growing in South African manufacturing, mining and logistics, where companies seek to improve productivity and safety. Automotive plants, food processors and mining operations use industrial robots, programmable logic controllers and process automation systems. Universities such as Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria research robotics and control theory. Engineers in this field combine electrical, mechanical and software skills to design and integrate automated systems.
Fees for South Africa: R 24 000 (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, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Professional engineering registration in South Africa is through ECSA, which assesses accredited training and experience. Whether a private SEIUM qualification is recognised is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm acceptance before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in robotics and automation?
Manufacturing, mining, logistics and automation integrators in South Africa often value applied skills in control systems, programming and integration. A private qualification may support your CV, particularly with practical projects, but it is not state-recognised. Its value depends on each employer's view, so ask potential employers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 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. 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
Understand how robot gearboxes and drives are built.
Relate failure modes to their measurable symptoms.
Diagnose gears and bearings using advanced vibration analysis.
Assess the electrical condition of motors and servo drives.
Use controller data to detect backlash and friction.
Interpret lubricant analysis alongside other techniques.
Carry out root cause analysis and define preventive actions.
Who it's for
- Machine diagnostics engineers working with robotic drivetrains.
- Robot maintenance technicians who need to pinpoint gearbox and drive faults.
- Vibration analysts extending their skills to variable-speed axes and harmonic gearboxes.
- Electrical drive specialists who want a mechanical and lubrication perspective.
- Reliability engineers in charge of robot fleets.
- Robot after-sales service technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 13373-1 (vibration condition monitoring: general procedures)
- ISO 13379-1 (data interpretation and diagnostic techniques)
- ISO 15243:2017 (rolling bearings: damage and failures)
- ISO 10825-1 (gears: wear and damage to gear teeth)
- IEC 60034-27 (partial discharge in rotating machines)
- ISO 4406:2021 (particle contamination code)
- IEEE 43-2013 (insulation resistance of rotating machinery)
- MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox
- Python with SciPy
- Emerson AMS Machinery Manager
- SKF @ptitude Analyst
- Robot manufacturer's diagnostic software
8 modules
1.1Cycloidal, planetary and harmonic gearboxes1.2Backlash, torsional stiffness and transmission error1.3Crossed roller bearings1.4Lubrication of precision gearboxes1.5Permanent magnet synchronous servomotors1.6Frequency converters and servo drives1.7Absolute encoders and resolvers1.8Holding brakes1.9Kinematic chain of a robot axis1.10Workshop: teardown of a cycloidal gearbox
2.1Tooth wear and pitting2.2Bearing fatigue and spalling2.3Lubrication failures and contamination2.4Flexspline cracks in harmonic gearboxes2.5Winding and insulation failures2.6Magnet demagnetisation2.7IGBT and DC bus capacitor failures2.8Encoder and wiring faults2.9FMEA of a robotic axis2.10Case study: FMEA of a wrist axis
3.1Gear mesh frequency and sidebands3.2Bearing characteristic frequencies3.3Envelope analysis3.4Time synchronous averaging3.5Order analysis at variable speed3.6Cepstrum for harmonic families3.7Spectral kurtosis and kurtogram3.8Specific features of harmonic gearboxes3.9Diagnosis combining current and vibration3.10Lab: envelope analysis of a damaged bearing
4.1Motor current signature analysis (MCSA)4.2Park vectors and imbalances4.3Insulation resistance and polarisation index4.4Partial discharge analysis4.5Temperature and insulation life4.6DC bus and ripple diagnosis4.7Servo drive error codes4.8Power quality and harmonics4.9Electrical noise and earthing4.10Practical: MCSA diagnosis of a servomotor
5.1Reading torque, current and following error5.2Friction and backlash tests with the robot5.3Axis frequency response tests5.4Backlash indicators from the encoder5.5Comparison between twin axes5.6Anomaly detection with unsupervised models5.7Fault classification with machine learning5.8Explainability of the diagnosis5.9Fault databases5.10Lab: backlash detection with controller data
6.1Representative sampling of grease and oil6.2Viscosity and oxidation6.3Wear metal spectrometry6.4Analytical ferrography of particles6.5Particle counting according to ISO 44066.6Water and contaminant content6.7Relubrication intervals6.8Combined interpretation with vibration6.9Lubricant analysis report6.10Case study: wear diagnosis by ferrography
7.1Failure analysis methodology7.2Visual inspection and metrology of parts7.3Basic fractography of fracture surfaces7.45 Whys and Ishikawa methods7.5Fault tree for the drive7.6Repair or replace decision7.7Replacement and calibration procedures7.8Acceptance tests after repair7.9Lessons learned and knowledge base7.10Workshop: root cause report for a broken gearbox
8.1Description of the asset and its symptoms8.2Multivariable diagnosis plan8.3Vibration acquisition and analysis8.4Electrical diagnosis of the servomotor8.5Lubricant analysis8.6Integrated diagnostic conclusion8.7Repair recommendation8.8Prevention plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox, Python with SciPy, Emerson AMS Machinery Manager, SKF @ptitude Analyst and the robot manufacturer's diagnostic software, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: envelope and order analysis on variable-speed axes, current signature diagnosis of servomotors, and lubricant analysis and ferrography of gearboxes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 13373-1, ISO 13379-1, ISO 15243:2017, ISO 10825-1, IEC 60034-27, ISO 4406:2021 and IEEE 43-2013.
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.
- 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 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 MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox, Python with SciPy, Emerson AMS Machinery Manager, SKF @ptitude Analyst and the robot manufacturer's diagnostic software, 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 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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