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On Friday, 6th December 2024, Master's degree students in Mechanical Engineering, attending the course on Metallurgical Processes and Product Innovation (lectured by our esteemed Professor of Metallurgy, Mattia Merlin), undertook an educational visit to Arvedi Steelworks in Cremona. Arvedi Steelworks is a leading producer of flat steel products using ISP (In-line Strip Production) and ESP (Endless Strip Production) technology.

The students were welcomed in the morning by Arvedi's personnel with a theoretical introduction to the innovative aspects of steel production at the Cremona plant, as well as a technical in-depth analysis of the operation of the melting furnaces. Subsequently, during the visit, students had the opportunity to witness the production of coils, starting from the melting of scrap, treatment in a ladle furnace, continuous casting, and then observing how, in just 180 metres, liquid steel can be transformed into high-quality coils through a continuous process. The visit continued in the afternoon at the finishing lines, which include the stages of cold deformation, pickling, galvanizing, and painting.

Various metallurgical aspects related to the production and transformation of steel emerged prominently during the visit, allowing students to delve deeper into many of the topics covered in the Metallurgical Processes and Product Innovation course.

We would like to thank President Giovanni Arvedi for this opportunity, the Arvedi Steelworks staff for their hospitality, and in particular, Engineer Roberto Venturini and Engineer Lorenzo Zanaboni for their professionalism and for all the technical insights provided.

On Friday 22nd November 2024, Master's students in Mechanical Engineering, attending the course on Metallurgical Processes and Product Innovation (lectured by our esteemed metallurgy professor, Mattia Merlin), undertook an educational visit to Fonderia S. Possidonio Srl in San Possidonio (MO). The Foundry, part of the Gruppo Mazzucconi, is a leader in the production of low-pressure aluminium alloy castings for the automotive sector.

During the visit, students were guided through a tour that allowed them to witness the practical application of aluminium foundry processes, thus enabling them to translate and personally understand many of the topics covered during the lectures. In particular, they were able to observe the production lines for an engine block and a structural chassis component that the company produces for renowned European automotive brands. Starting from the melting and preparation of the alloy, students were able to follow the various stages of the production process, including moulding, extraction of castings from the mould, fettling and mechanical machining, radiographic inspections, and the final stages of heat treatment and non-destructive testing with penetrant liquids.

The Plant Manager, Engineer Roberto Spagnolo, is thanked for his hospitality. A special thanks goes to Engineer Michele Digiesi for his professionalism demonstrated during the visit.

On Friday, 25th October 2024, Master's students in Mechanical Engineering, attending the course on Metallurgical Processes and Product Innovation (taught by our esteemed Professor of Metallurgy, Mattia Merlin), undertook an educational visit to the AFV BELTRAME Steel Mill in Altavilla Vicentina (VI).

AFV BELTRAME is synonymous with excellence and innovation in the production of merchant bars and special profiles for a wide range of applications, including construction, shipbuilding, as well as mechanical engineering, oil & gas, and energy sectors.

During the first part of the visit, students had the opportunity to witness the production of steel billets, starting from the selection of scrap metal in the 'scrap yard', through the melting of the scrap in a furnace, the treatment of liquid steel in a ladle furnace, to the continuous casting process with free or protected jet. The visit then continued along the heating and hot rolling lines that transform the newly produced billets into various sections of rolled or profiled products, which are subsequently packaged and prepared for shipment.

Numerous metallurgical aspects related to the production and processing of steel emerged prominently during the visit, allowing for a deeper understanding of many of the topics covered in the Metallurgical Processes and Product Innovation course.

We would like to thank Leonardo Princic and Alessia De Luca for their hospitality and for organising the visit. Additionally, a special thank you goes to the quality department staff who, during the plant tour, demonstrated passion and professionalism, always being available to provide students with numerous technical insights.

From 11th to 13th September 2024, our Department's Metallurgy Research Group participated in the 40th AIM National Conference, organised by the Italian Association of Metallurgy at the School of Engineering and Basic Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II.

The opening ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the Naples East Complex of the University of Naples Federico II, where the 'Premio Aldo Daccò 2024' award was presented. The award was jointly won by our researcher, Cindy Morales, and Andrea Bongiovanni from the Polytechnic of Turin.

Furthermore, our Professor Gian Luca Garagnani received a significant recognition for his active contribution to the Italian Association of Metallurgy, culminating years of distinguished service as a Metallurgy lecturer.

During the Conference, the group's professors, researchers, research associates and scholarship holders had the opportunity to present seven oral papers on research in the fields of tribology and wear, sustainability of cast aluminium alloys, shape memory NiTi alloys for biomedical applications, and sintered steels, areas in which the group is actively engaged.