Postgraduate Diploma in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers
Online 800-hour postgraduate diploma in DfM design of mechanical and vacuum grippers. 8 modules covering ISO 9409-1:2004, ISO 10218-2:2025 and SolidWorks. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers — 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 33 400 (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
Select the type of end effector according to the application.
Calculate gripping forces in mechanical grippers.
Size vacuum systems and suction cups.
Apply DfM and DfA criteria to gripper design.
Design components optimised for additive manufacturing.
Integrate sensing and control into the end effector.
Validate grippers through testing and simulation.
Who it's for
- End effector designers who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Automation mechanical engineers who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Additive manufacturing engineers who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Robotics integrators who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Product design engineers who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Tooling technicians who want to specialise in DfM Design of Mechanical and Vacuum Grippers.
- Graduates in engineering or science who want to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 9409-1:2004
- ISO 10218-2:2025
- ISO 14539:2000
- ISO/TS 15066:2016
- ISO 4414:2010
- ISO 2768-1:1989
- ISO/ASTM 52900:2021
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Types of end effectors1.2Parallel and angular mechanical grippers1.3Vacuum grippers and suction cups1.4Magnetic and electroadhesive grippers1.5Soft and adaptive grippers1.6Selection by part and process1.7ISO 9409-1 mechanical interfaces1.8Weight, inertia and payload1.9Standard gripper market1.10Workshop: gripper selection matrix
2.1Gripping force calculation2.2Friction coefficients and safety factor2.3Form closure versus friction gripping2.4Finger and jaw design2.5Kinematics of parallel grippers2.6Pneumatic, electric and hydraulic actuation2.7Finger stiffness and deflection2.8Grippers with interchangeable fingers2.9Design for delicate parts2.10Practice: calculating a parallel gripper
3.1Vacuum principles and differential pressure3.2Holding force calculation3.3Flat, bellows and oval suction cups3.4Suction cup materials and temperature3.5Venturi vacuum generators and pumps3.6Evacuation time and flow rate3.7Leakage on porous parts3.8Foam and large-area grippers3.9Energy-saving and control valves3.10Laboratory: sizing a vacuum system
4.1DfM and DfA principles4.2Machining gripper components4.3Additive manufacturing of fingers4.4Materials: aluminium, steel and engineering polymers4.5Tolerances and functional fits4.6Reducing parts and fasteners4.7Standardisation of components4.8Manufacturing and assembly cost4.9Design for maintenance and quick replacement4.10Case study: DfM redesign of a gripper
5.1FDM, SLS and MJF technologies5.2Topology optimisation of fingers and brackets5.3Lightweight lattice structures5.4Integration of vacuum channels5.5Fingers with conformal geometry5.6Post-processing and finishing5.7Strength and fatigue of printed parts5.8Validation of additive parts5.9Costs compared with machining5.10Practice: optimised finger in SLS printing
6.1Part presence detection6.2Finger position sensors6.3Vacuum switches and vacuum monitoring6.4Electric grippers with force control6.5IO-Link in end effectors6.6Dropped part detection6.7Predictive diagnostics for grippers6.8Safety in the event of power failure6.9Collaborative grippers and force limits6.10Laboratory: electric gripper with IO-Link
7.1Gripping force tests7.2Acceleration and braking tests7.3Life and wear tests7.4FEM analysis of components7.5Dynamic simulation of handling7.6Failure and root cause analysis7.7Technical documentation for the gripper7.8End effector safety according to ISO 10218-27.9Optimisation after testing7.10Case study: gripping failure at high speed
8.1Analysis of the part and process8.2Mechanical or vacuum gripper concept8.3Force calculations and sizing8.4Detailed CAD design8.5DfM and cost analysis8.6Prototype by additive manufacturing8.7Validation tests8.8Manufacturing documentation8.9Report 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. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, Ansys Mechanical, Schmalz Toolbox, nTop, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for gripping force and acceleration tests, life tests for suction cups and fingers, and FEM analysis of gripper components. Assessment is continuous, per 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.
Select the type of end effector according to the application.
Calculate gripping forces in mechanical grippers.
Size vacuum systems and suction cups.
Apply DfM and DfA criteria to gripper design.
Design components optimised for additive manufacturing.
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 level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, Ansys Mechanical, Schmalz Toolbox and nTop. 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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