News

On Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, students from the Hydraulics and Pneumatics course (taught by Prof. Nicola Aldi) and the Metallography and Failure Analysis course (taught by Prof. Annalisa Fortini), part of the Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, took part in an educational visit to the ZF Group facility in Ostellato (FE), Italy. The initiative aimed to offer students a concrete opportunity to closely observe advanced manufacturing processes in the industrial vehicle components sector, and to deepen their understanding of technical issues related to quality control, failure analysis, and the design of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The visit began with an introductory session led by company representatives who explained the organizational structure of the facility, followed by a guided tour of the assembly and testing departments.

Special thanks go to Technical Director Alessandro Blum, along with engineers Umberto Stuppioni, Mauro Ardizzoni, and Tommaso Marchi, for their availability, expertise, and the passion with which they shared experiences, knowledge, and insights, making the visit a highly valuable educational experience.

On Friday, May 30, 2025, the seminar titled "Modelling and Predicting Damage and Wear in a Formula 1 Engine" was held in Room 4 of the Science and Technology Hub at the University of Ferrara. The event, organized as part of the Metallography and Failure Analysis course led by Professor Annalisa Fortini, featured guest speaker Engineer Nicola Terdich, a Formula 1 engineer.

The seminar was a great success and provided an in-depth technical overview of advanced methods for modelling and predicting damage and wear in high-performance engines. Through real-world examples and case studies, Eng. Terdich demonstrated how predictive analysis and metallurgical expertise are essential tools for ensuring reliability and competitiveness in top-tier motorsport.

The Ferrara Metallurgy Group extends its gratitude to Eng. Terdich for his availability and scientific contribution. The event reaffirmed the group's commitment to promoting initiatives that enhance the interaction between research, education, and industrial innovation, highlighting the growing importance of predictive modelling in modern industry.  

On Friday, May 23, 2025, Master's Degree students in Mechanical Engineering attending the course on Surface Treatments and Coatings of Metallic Alloys (taught by our Metallurgy Professor, Mattia Merlin), went on an educational visit to Remet Sas and G.H.A Europe in Bologna.

The aim of the visit was to introduce students to two regional companies that, respectively, offer services in the field of mechanical and microstructural characterization of metallic materials and the implementation of an innovative anodic oxidation treatment with Ag ions for aluminum alloys.

The main advantages of the G.H.A. treatment are primarily linked to its high resistance to abrasive wear, as well as its corrosion-resistant and antibacterial properties, making it suitable for numerous applications ranging from the packaging industry to accessories for the mechanical, marine, and automotive sectors.

The students were welcomed by Remet's staff with a theoretical introduction about the innovative aspects related to G.H.A. technology, followed by a tour of the company's laboratory dedicated to material analyses. The visit then continued with an opportunity to observe the industrial process performing the G.H.A. treatment within the plant in Casalecchio di Reno. Finally, the students were able to witness non-destructive testing (penetrant testing and magnetic particle inspection) carried out by the technical staff on previously machined mechanical components.

On Friday, May 23, the seminar titled “Progettazione, materiali e trattamenti termici: una visione integrata del ciclo produttivo” was held in Room 3 of the Department of Engineering at the University of Ferrara. The event was organized as part of the Metallography and Failure Analysis course led by our Professor Annalisa Fortini.

The seminar featured contributions from Eng. Michele Mazzola and Eng. Nicola Antolini of Pasello Trattamenti, a leading company in the field of metal heat treatments. They provided attendees with a detailed and practical overview of heat treatment strategies within the modern production context.

On behalf of the Ferrara Metallurgy Group, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the speakers for their availability and for the valuable content they shared. The seminar was a highly appreciated opportunity for dialogue, offering stimulating points for reflection and strengthening the connection between academic education and the industrial world.

From April 23rd to 25th, 2025, the international conference Tribology 2025 was held in Albufeira, Portugal, bringing together experts and researchers in the fields of surface engineering, friction, and wear.

On this occasion, the Ferrara Metallurgy Group actively contributed with the presentation of the research work titled:
“Analyzing areal roughness parameters of ground and superfinished components: toward the description of surface performance,”
delivered by Dr. Michele Gragnanini, member of the research group.

This study, carried out in collaboration with Professor Annalisa Fortini (Ferrara Metallurgy Group), Andrea Fantini, and Alessandro Blum, focused on the characterization of surface performance through the analysis of areal roughness parameters in ground and superfinished components.

The work stands as a virtuous example of collaboration between academia and industry, highlighting the crucial role of interdisciplinary efforts in advancing knowledge in tribology and surface characterization.