Page 12: of Marine News Magazine (January 2012)

TECH FILE12MNJanuary 2012 Cummins has thrown down the diesel engine develop- ment gauntlet, recently introducing its new Hedgehog High Speed Diesel Engine platform. According to Cummins, the world?s most powerful high speed diesel engine ever built is also designed ready to achieve EPA Tier 4 performance emissions in 2014. Moreover, the Hedgehog platform, led by the 4,000 hp QSK 95 model, signals their intention to extend the province of high speed diesel power units into applications traditionally dominated by medium speed engines, namely the work- boat market. Introduced to global industrial markets at Cummins? Indiana headquarters and nearby engine plant, the unveil- ing was the single largest customer event in the company?s history, attracting more than 130 users from around the globe.The event also provided the perfect stage for Tim Solso, only the fifth CEO and Chairman in the company?s sto- ried 92 year history, to pass the leadership reigns to Tim Linebarger, current Cummins President and COO and soon-to-be sixth CEO and Chairman in Cummins histo- ry, upon Solso?s retirement at the end of 2011. ?We have needed a bigger engine (for many years), and Hedgehog is a new era for Cummins,? said Solso. For his part, Linebarger sees the Hedgehog platform as more than a new engine; an integrated power providing platform geared to helping its customers across all indus- try make its operations more efficient and profitable. Hoping to build on this year?s record of $18b in sales, Cummins has put in motion an aggressive growth plan of 15% per annum with a target of $30b in sales by 2015. The Hedgehog will be a key component in that plan. Cummins sees the lion?s share of growth coming from outside its traditional stronghold of North America, and specifically views emerging markets as the fuel. To foster the growth, it has charted an aggressive investment plan in technology, the supply chain, service and support. ?We are investing aggressively to stay ahead of the competition,? said Linebarger. Investment in the Hedgehog platform is proof of the plan. ?This is the highest power high speed diesel ever built,? said Linebarger, exceeding the perform- ance of all high and medium speed diesels in its power range.MEETTHE HEDGEHOGPlans for the Hedgehog platform were hatched in 2008, and three years, 153 engineers and 365,000 engineering hours later, Cummins has gone from a literal clean design sheet to what it views as the diesel engine power solution for a coming generation. Enabled in part by the compa- ny?s investment in the new Cummins High Horsepower Technical Center at its Seymour, Indiana plant, the new platform leverages the modernization of the 35-year-old facility, which also incorporates a bank of 10 new engine test cells, six dedicated to the Hedgehog brand. The unique layout allows Cummins to design and test specific engines for each of the particular markets it serves. The first Hedgehog engine is the 4,000 hp, V16 QSK 95, which just started on the test bed in October 2011. Meet the ?Hedgehog?Billed as most powerful high speed diesel engine ever, Cummins? new entry isalso designed to meet EPA Tier 4 Emissions in 2014.Eventually, and for those operating in highly regulated ECA?s,the QSK95 will lead the way forward for 4000 hp (2983 kW)marine engines to achieve EPA Tier 4 emissions using Cumminsown exhaust after treatment systems, its Selective CatalyticReduction (SCR) system which literally is designed to allow theuser to remove the mufflers and install the SCR.(Photo: Greg Trauthwein)MN#1 (1-17):MN 2011 Layouts 1/5/2012 4:11 PM Page 12