Cummins launches Project Unity for data-driven part development

Tech Centre at Cummins Turbo Technologies in Huddersfield (Photo: Cummins)

Cummins has announced the launch of Project Unity, a collaborative effort with Holtex and the University of Manchester that will look to develop the digital tools needed to improve the design and durability of components used in hydrogen-fuel powertrains.

Having received a £2.4 million funding grant from the UK government, Cummins will lead the project from its facility in Huddersfield, UK, which is home to Cummins Turbo Technologies. The group is the company lead for turbo development and production.

Project Unity will employ digital tools supported by machine learning to predict long-term failure models of critical powertrain components. By reducing the need for physical testing, this approach should enhance the speed-to-market of improved components.

Typically, OEMs will use physical testing to ensure the reliability of new components. This is both time consuming and expensive. The project will focus on collecting real-world data on the individual components within a turbo unit, including turbines, compressors and bearing units similar to those used in hydrogen-powered systems, after which that data will be used in simulations to prove out the new part designs.

Improvements to these parts should result in enhanced reliability, plus reduced downtime and costs. It will also enhance the overall development process and ultimately the efficiency of parts and components produced by Cummins.

Project Unity is one of eight projects which have received a portion of £29.6 million put forward by the UK government. The awards are provided through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s Collaborative Research and Development funding round, in partnership with Innovate UK.

“Building on previous successful APC projects, Cummins is excited to announce APC 25 Project Unity,” said Laith Al-Kazaz, director of Advanced Engineering at Cummins. “This project will support Cummins Destination Zero strategy by enabling the accelerated product development of reliable lower-carbon emission powertrains.”