Powertrain | Diesel International 2022-09

MARINE
#FPTINDUSTRIAL #BIMOTOR #VENICEBOATSHOW #LABIENNALE
VENICE BOAT SHOW
NEED
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THE FPT Industrial F1 engine is an integral feature
of the installation at the Italian Pavilion of the Venice
Biennale of Contemporary Art. The entire pavilion
is given over to an artwork by artist Gian Maria
Tosatti with an environmental installation, curated
by Eugenio Viola, called “History of Night and
Destiny of Comets”, which explores the relationship
between man and nature and encourages reflection
on the current state of humanity and its future
prospects, explicitly referring to the United Nations
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Below, Carlo Moroni, Head of FPT Industrial
Brand Communication, and Gian Maria Tosatti
in front of the engine in the Italian Pavilion at the
59 th International Art Exhibition.
SILENCE
Bimotor has recently acquired
FPT Industrial’s dealership for
Australia as well, through its
subsidiary Bepower Solutions.
The operational headquarters will be
in Melbourne. FPT is in fact moving
from a Eurocentric position to a more
global vision of the marine market, although
Europe still remains central. At
Bimotor’s stand, Carmine Bagnoli told
us about the displayed engines: “Our
engines power more than a hundred
steamboats in the Laguna. The Cursor
9 is one of the most present on these
applications. We have adopted a novel
supercharger for this power size,
which allows high torque values to be
achieved at very low revs. It is of the
conventional fixed-geometry type, but
has so far been used on smaller engines.
Let’s now move on to the 4-litre
common rail, 125 kW at 2,800 rpm,
which is interesting for commercial
applications due to its compact packaging
and its power and torque density.
It is ideal for waste collection services.
Finally, the N67, a very versatile
Stage V homologated unit, without after-treatment,
which meets the needs of
northern European users (Benelux and
Scandinavian countries). In a way, I
The amazing scenario
of the ancient Arsenal
hosted the Venice Boat
Show. We talked with
FPT Industrial and
Bimotor, Geminiani, AS
Labruna and Autogas
would call this a hybrid configuration,
since it can also be used as a generator
for a variable-speed electric machine,
thus functioning as a range extender.”
Fabrizio Polito talks about their customer
service. “The services revolve
around three fundamental pillars: reliability,
both with original FPT spare
parts and technical support; ‘protection’,
with customised contractual
coverage; and digital evolution. As
for the uptime, our commitment starts
with MyFPTApp, which establishes an
initial connection with the end customer.
The natural evolution of this
tool is its integration with a dongle,
via Bluetooth, which can be mounted
on the engine’s diagnostic port and allows
for additional functionalities, for
example real-time performance data
and display of errors in the ECU. The
extended warranty packages can be
combined for up to five years of engine
life and can be configured according to
the number of hours, years of use and
perimeter of coverage.”
Also displayed at Geminiani’s stand
was the Kangaroo, the Giugiaro’s electric
hyper-SUV. Andrea Tirone, Geminiani’s
Sales Manager, explained:
“Customers who get in contact with us
at the exhibition often come to see us
at our headquarters; seven out of ten
requests concern the electric alternative.
The power pack has also become
electric, with Giugiaro’s contribution.
We can supply everything, even the
connectors, the “famous” plug&play
system. A nice advantage for the ship
owner: the power pack has a definite
cost and does not need anything else.”
Massimo Geminiani then intervenes:
“We have drawn up an agreement with
Giugiaro for the electric car range,
from 25 to 400 kilowatts, which integrates
a crucial element such as the
power pack, and we have signed a contract
to equip six taxis in Qatar, used
by real estate agencies to show flats
overlooking the Gulf.”
How is the collaboration with Caterpillar
proceeding?
“Caterpillar is one of the few that has
managed to keep its word, even in
this troubled period of absolute supply
shortage, by sending us what we
requested on time. Caterpillar is our
supplier in the range between 19 and
200 kilowatts, i.e. from C.1 to C.7.
Also, with their contribution we are
able to implement the philosophy that
inspires us in the electrification field,
with a variable-speed generator that
charges the battery thus providing current
to the system.”
With the electrification process comes
a tendency to outsource expertise to
specialists.
“An approach that is justified by the
need to have the right skills and profiles
to create software, exclusively
dedicated to that particular type
of project. We are willing to set up a
customizable power pack, a challenge
that is only possible if you have the inhouse
staff to design the software. The
system has to enable the management
of throttle, accelerator, loads, sensors
and the machine itself. In this context
there is more and more room for system
engineers. Companies like ours
know the OEMs and their needs, power
absorption, load, operating modes
and potential of the electrics.”
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