History

NOVADUR was founded in Desenzano del Garda on the initiative of family Palvarini that, like so many mechanical companies in Brescia, developed as an OM Brescia subcontractor for the supply of cylinder liners for internal combustion engines.

Began the machining of pistons whose casted raw were supplied by the same OM.

Changed its corporate name into DURALDUR S.p.A., a name that has remained unaltered, as it is still run by the third generation of the family Palvarini.

The first press for forging pistons by inverted extrusion process is installed in Duraldur.

In the early years of activity the production was entirely absorbed by OM, who was manufacturing transportation trucks. This trucks characterized by animal names as Lupetto, Leoncino, Tigrotto and Taurus have made the history of transport in Italy.

DURALDUR increased in the labor force and production capacity begins to provide pistons and cylinder liners to prestigious brands in the motorcycle segment, like Lambretta / Innocenti and also to Lombardini Motori, European leader in the engine production for industrial and agricultural machineries.

With the establishment of the Iveco Fiat group, which incorporated OM in Brescia, Duraldur loses its leading customer because on trucks assembled in Brescia, were mounted engines produced in the various countries where Iveco plants operate.

In contrast, the market niche of agricultural and industrial diesel engines has been for a long time the mission and specialization of the company, that today is accompanied by the production of components for heavy vehicles and industrial heavy duty machines.

Starts an exciting time thanks to the collaboration with Ferrari in Maranello first, with Lamborghini at a later time and to follow with BMW Motor Sport.

The company’s internationalization begins with important supplies to OEM in North Africa as well as to leader components manufacturers in Europe, and in particular Germany.

In recent years the production systems have changed to meet the needs of the market: productivity and quality in particular.

It has gone from traditional machines to machines manufactured by the company itself, CNC machines, CNC machines served by anthropomorphous robots and laser controlled so as to achieve and maintain a high quality standard.

Cepal S.r.l. was established. Controlled by the Palvarini family the foundry produces gravity casted and forged pistons as well as forged cylinder liners. Currently with three hydraulic presses from 600 to 1000 tons, Cepal S.p.A. is the second largest European producer of forged pistons and forged liners.

The increasing demand of high performance engines also in series production as well as in competition contributes to the achievement of forged pistons and liners volumes of over 500,000 units per year.

Start production of pistons with lamellar grey cast iron ring carrier to increase wear resistance of first compression ring groove.

Duraldur acquires the certification UNI EN ISO 9001:1994.

The first robotized cell for the production of pistons with lamellar grey cast iron ring carrier and cooling gallery is set up to respond to the growing demand for power in the diesel engines segment.

Since the early 90’s significant financial and human resources are devoted to research and development.

Step by step latest generation software is acquired to support and replace the old design and solid modeling programs such as 2D/3D:

1. GBG cadLAB: 2D draft maker
2. Think Design: 2D/3D CAD Software.

Duraldur acquires the certification UNI EN ISO 9001:1994.

Duraldur acquires the certification UNI EN ISO 14001:1996.

Duraldur acquires the certification OHSAS 18001:1999.

Start the production of articulated pistons with steel head intended for heavy-duty engines that reach more than 1 million Km. This consolidates the company’s presence in the heavy industry and vehicle sector.

A robot controlled production cell is installed for the production of significant volumes of pistons and cylinder liners to enlarge the range from 80 up to 240 mm in diameter.

Duraldur is chosen by an important aeronautical French group for the production of pistons and finned cylinders for use on a new concept engine intended to power aircrafts built in the USA.

Duraldur acquires the certification ISOTS 16949:2009.

Strengthening of Human Resources and Tecnologies finalized to Design and R&D development by last generation software:

1. FEM “Femap with NXNastran” developed by SIEMENS.
2. winLIFE or “developed and provided” by the STZ- Verkehr fully integrated with Femap, Fatigue analysis for each type of axial and multi- axial.
3. Fearce & PISDYN developed by “RICARDO ENGINEERING” for the study of the secondary motion of the piston.

First in Italy Duraldur buy a digital microscope that allows for three-dimensional scans of the inner surfaces allowing to obtain the highest quality standards in the field of oil consumption.