en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chiavette Unificate (a company under the Rollon Group specializing in the design and manufacturing of rod end bearings and rotating components) in Italy provided technical support to the University of Bologna's racing team, UniBo Motorsport, helping to resolve issues with excessive clearance in the racing car's rod end bearings.

Comprising over 350 students from various departments and academic backgrounds, UniBo Motorsport is one of the most dynamic teams in international university motorsport. Each year, students participate in a project-based program to design, develop, and manufacture high-performance vehicles, applying theoretical knowledge and practical skills in an environment that closely simulates the dynamics of the automotive industry. Each season, the team works on three different prototypes: the internal combustion engine race car Genesi, the electric race car Visione (both developed for the Formula SAE competition), and the electric motorcycle Vega. With Vega, UniBo Motorsport has won the MotoStudent World Championship for three consecutive years.

Team Sponsorship Manager Beatrice Barbieri stated that the goal is to cultivate students who are technically proficient and have a practical understanding of the professional world, transforming classroom learning into immediately applicable skills through participation in real projects and daily interaction with established companies.

Based on experience with Genesi, the team developed a new hybrid race car, Albirea, with technical support from Chiavette Unificate. The vehicle was officially presented to the public on June 23 at the annual unveiling event, which is dedicated to introducing the prototype for the 2026 season.

Matteo Pitoni, R&D and Application Engineering Manager at Chiavette Unificate, stated that the team needed to integrate rod end bearings into the carbon fiber tubes connecting the wheels to the chassis. The previously used solution often developed excessive clearance after limited use, compromising precision and overall vehicle performance.

Formula SAE evaluates not only track performance (through dynamic events such as acceleration, skidpad, autocross, and endurance) but also static aspects like engineering design, cost analysis, and business planning. Team Vehicle Dynamics and Control Systems expert Pietro Pasquinucci noted that it is an extremely comprehensive environment that replicates the operations of a real automotive company, where organizational, financial, and collaboration skills are crucial in addition to engineering expertise.

Technical inspection is a particularly critical area, conducted both before and after the race. Mr. Pasquinucci explained that in the past, the team could pass the initial inspection, but after approximately 20 kilometers of endurance testing, the rod end bearings would exhibit excessive clearance, leading to issues during the final inspection. This prompted the team to seek a more reliable solution.

After in-depth technical analysis, Chiavette Unificate proposed using Tescubal® rod end bearings, designed to help ensure smooth motion and maintain minimal and stable clearance over time. Mr. Pitoni stated that the key requirement was to achieve controlled initial clearance that remains constant throughout the component's service life, and the Tescubal rod end bearings meet this need thanks to their high manufacturing precision and reliability.

Once installed in the connecting rods between the wheels and chassis, as well as in the rear chain tensioner, the Tescubal rod end bearings significantly improved the vehicle's stability and performance consistency. Mr. Pasquinucci added that the team tested them at a Formula SAE competition at the Michigan International Speedway in the United States, with very positive results. They encountered no issues related to excessive clearance and passed the technical inspection smoothly.

The collaboration with UniBo Motorsport is part of Rollon's broader commitment to supporting academic projects and student associations to nurture the next generation of engineers. Federico Banti, Marketing and Business Development Director at the Rollon Group, stated that initiatives like this provide meaningful opportunities to support young people's professional development. Collaborating with organizations like UniBo Motorsport helps cultivate highly specialized skills while strengthening the connection between universities and industry.

The new hybrid race car Albirea will compete in FS Austria at the Red Bull Ring in Austria starting July 24, where months of effort will be put to the test. The team is focused on completing a car capable of competing at the highest level among European hybrid teams, with a strong emphasis on reliability. The goal is to introduce several key updates aimed at achieving success in dynamic events, thereby improving on last year's performance.