Nature, Calculation and Fantasy

With Pirelli We Learn to... PRODUCE

Tyres are the result of tireless theoretical and experimental work carried out every day by Pirelli engineers and technicians. The course takes the students on a fascinating journey through history, looking at the various phases of tyre design and production, from the first patents for bicycles in the late nineteenth century to the very latest virtual modelling.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW
Pirelli began manufacturing bicycle tyres in 1890. A few years later, it started producing tyres for motorcycles and the first patent for automobiles was granted in 1901. Tyres have undergone profound transformations since then, as the result of continuous research and experimentation. In this guided tour, the students will explore Pirelli’s Historical Archive, with its drawings, technical specifications, and video installations illustrating the technological evolution of tyres. They will learn about the processes used to design and create innovative, environmentally friendly, safe, and high-performance products. Finally, they will visit Pirelli’s Research and Development laboratories, where tests are conducted on physical prototypes and where a static simulator is used for virtual prototypes. These lay the groundwork for tyres for sports cars, Formula 1, production models and bicycles.

OBJECTIVES
The aim is to find out about the development of the first Italian manufacturer of rubber objects and to understand the complexities involved in developing a tyre, from the selection of sustainable raw materials to its production by Industry 4.0. The students will see the importance of experimentation for the creation of cutting-edge processes and products.

This course will be in the form of one in-person session.