In July 2023, Dr. Walter L. Trikosko, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy at Stephen F. Austin State University, reached out to Davi with a unique request: he was looking for a Davi customer in southeast Texas who owned a 4-roll plate roll for a project that would lead to the creation of a bronze sundial.

The task at hand was intricate: a bronze sheet measuring 3/16” X 10” X 48” needed precise bending into a 25.75” radius. Given the substantial cost of bronze, accuracy in the rolling process was fundamental: even slight deviations could lead to significant price increase.

This was only the beginning of a collaborative journey that resulted in an unexpected outcome: instead of merely connecting with a customer, Dr. Trikosko found himself invited to Davi Inc.'s showroom in Dallas, TX in October 2023. Here, the rolling process unfolded seamlessly, utilizing the advanced capabilities of a Davi MCA 2017 plate roll housed in the North American office.

Dr. Trikosko was extremely satisfied with the result, enabling him and his team to proceed to the following stages of the project. As of now, “We are more than 90% complete – said Trikosko - and are anxious to get this on display”. His ultimate desire and goal would be having the sundial ready for the next solar eclipse, which is expected to occur in April: “The image of the sun projected onto the analemma, with a bite taken out, should be a showstopper.”

It is curious to note that the first sundial known to humanity dates back to 1576 and is located in the San Petronio Basilica in Bologna, only a few miles distant from Davi HQ.

Collaborating with SFA University inspired Davi to innovate further, leading to the inception of Davi Rolling Academy: recognizing the industry-wide challenge of a lack of skilled operators for plate rolls, Davi has long been dedicated to introducing automated solutions in the market. However, this experience led us to look at the problem from another perspective: empowering the next generation of plate roll operators through education.

Davi Rolling Academy offers universities the opportunity to equip their students and future industry leaders with the latest technological advancements. Participants gain exclusive access to innovative Davi equipment, including the revolutionary iRoll eXtreme control system and remote programming, e-POWER, the fully electric plate roll, and many other state-of-the-art rolling solutions.

Key highlights of the program include:

• On-campus classes conducted by Davi Technical Engineers, providing invaluable firsthand experience.
• Internship opportunities at Davi Inc. for top-performing students, fostering real-world skills and industry connections.

Through Davi Academy, we are not just shaping the future of plate rolling; we are giving new light on the next generation of innovators to drive progress and excellence in the industry.