Postgraduate Diploma in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations. 8 modules covering IACS UR M68 (propulsion shaft dimensions and permissible torsional vibration stresses), DNV Rules for Ships, Pt.4 Ch.4 (rotating machinery and shafting lines) and ShaftDesigner. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations — studying from South Africa
South Africa's coastline and ports make maritime engineering important, with the Port of Durban, the Port of Cape Town and the Port of Ngqura serving major trade flows. The South African Navy and Armscor support naval procurement, and shipbuilding and repair businesses operate along the coast. Offshore energy and marine services create additional demand, and the sports nautical sector serves recreational boating. The South African Maritime Safety Authority regulates shipping and marine safety.
Fees for South Africa: 17,600 R (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Can I pay my fees in rand?
Yes. Fees for South African learners are shown in South African rand (ZAR), and instalment plans are available. Some learners also arrange employer sponsorship.
How is the final project chosen?
You complete a capstone project that can be linked to a real problem in your current or intended field. Your technical tutor guides you through scope, methodology and delivery.
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
Describe the components of a propulsion shafting line.
Calculate shaft alignment and bearing reactions.
Carry out and verify alignment in the shipyard.
Analyse torsional vibrations in accordance with IACS UR M68.
Evaluate axial and lateral vibrations of the shafting line.
Diagnose problems through vibration measurement.
Plan maintenance and analyse shafting line failures.
Who it's for
- Naval propulsion engineer looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Vibration engineer looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Shaft alignment technician looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Machinery superintendent looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Classification society surveyor looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Predictive maintenance engineer looking to specialise in Propulsion Alignment, Shafting and Vibrations.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter shipyards.
What you'll work with
- IACS UR M68 (propulsion shaft dimensions and permissible torsional vibration stresses)
- DNV Rules for Ships, Pt.4 Ch.4 (rotating machinery and shafting lines)
- ABS Guidance Notes on Propulsion Shafting Alignment
- ISO 20816-1 (measurement and evaluation of machine vibration)
- ISO 20283-2 (measurement of structural vibration on ships)
- ISO 13373 (machine vibration condition monitoring)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Components of a shafting line1.2Tail, intermediate and thrust shafts1.3Plummer blocks and stern tube1.4White metal and polymer bearings1.5Oil and water lubrication1.6Stern tube seals and sealing1.7Rigid and flexible couplings1.8Reduction gears and clutches1.9Sizing to classification rules1.10Case study: shafting line layout
2.1Straight-line and rational alignment2.2Bearing loads and reactions2.3Influence coefficients2.4Effect of hull deflection2.5Cold, hot and ballast conditions2.6Shaft slope at the aft bearing2.7Inclined bearing machining2.8IACS and ABS alignment guidelines2.9Alignment calculation software2.10Workshop: bearing reaction calculation using an influence matrix
3.1Shipyard alignment sequence3.2Gap and sag measurement3.3Jack-up method for reactions3.4Strain gauges on shafts3.5Laser and optical alignment3.6Epoxy resin chocking3.7Afloat verification3.8Records and tolerances3.9In-service realignment3.10Practice: interpreting a jack-up test
4.1Mass and stiffness model4.2Natural frequencies and modes4.3Engine and propeller excitation4.4Campbell diagram4.5Barred speeds4.6Dampers and flywheels4.7Elastic couplings4.8IACS M68 requirements4.9Torsional vibration measurement4.10Laboratory: torsional calculation of a propulsion plant
5.1Axial vibrations and fluctuating thrust5.2Axial dampers5.3Shaft bending modes5.4Critical whirling speed5.5Influence of bearing stiffness5.6Gyroscopic effect of the propeller5.7Whirling and blade excitation5.8Gearbox vibrations5.9Interaction with hull structure5.10Case study: lateral critical speed
6.1Accelerometers and proximity sensors6.2FFT spectral analysis6.3ISO 20816 and ISO 10816 standards6.4Hull vibrations ISO 69546.5Orbit analysis6.6Unbalance and misalignment6.7Bearing and gear failure6.8Continuous monitoring6.9Thermography and oil analysis6.10Practice: diagnosing vibration spectra
7.1Aft bearing failures7.2Stern tube seal damage7.3Fatigue cracks in shafts7.4Corrosion of tail shafts7.5Shaft inspection and withdrawal7.6Extending inspection intervals7.7Condition-based maintenance7.8Repairs and refurbishment7.9Root cause analysis7.10Workshop: failure analysis of an aft bearing
8.1Definition of the propulsion plant8.2Layout and sizing8.3Alignment calculation8.4Torsional analysis8.5Lateral and axial analysis8.6Alignment procedure8.7Sea trial measurement plan8.8Maintenance plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is ShaftDesigner, DNV Nauticus Machinery, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real alignment measurement procedures with laser and strain gauges, bearing reaction tests (jack-up test), and torsional vibration measurement with strain gauging. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the components of a propulsion shafting line.
Calculate shaft alignment and bearing reactions.
Carry out and verify alignment in the shipyard.
Analyse torsional vibrations in accordance with IACS UR M68.
Evaluate axial and lateral vibrations of the shafting line.
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.
- Sufficient level of 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme works with ShaftDesigner, DNV Nauticus Machinery, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative final 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. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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