The project HERCULES-2 is targeting at a fuel-flexible large marine engine, optimally adaptive to its operating environment. The objectives of the HERCULES-2 project are associated to 4 areas of engine integrated R&D: • Improving fuel flexibility for seamless switching between different fuel types, including non-conventional fuels. • Formulating new materials to support high temperature component applications. • Developing adaptive control methodologies to retain performance over the powerplant lifetime. • Achieving near-zero emissions, via combined integrated aftertreatment of exhaust gases. The HERCULES-2 is the next phase of the R&D programme HERCULES on large engine technologies, which was initiated in 2004 as a joint vision by the two major European engine manufacturer groups MAN and WARTSILA. Three consecutive projects namely HERCULES - A, -B, -C spanned the years 2004-2014. These three projects produced exceptional results and received worldwide acclaim. The targets of HERCULES-2 build upon and surpass the targets of the previous HERCULES projects, going beyond the limits set by the regulatory authorities. By combining cutting-edge technologies, the Project overall aims at significant fuel consumption and emission reduction targets using integrated solutions, which can quickly mature into commercially available products. Focusing on the applications, the project includes several full-scale prototypes and shipboard demonstrators. The project HERCULES-2 comprises 4 R&D Work Package Groups (WPG): - WPG I: Fuel flexible engine - WPG II: New Materials (Applications in engines) - WPG III: Adaptive Powerplant for Lifetime Performance - WPG IV: Near-Zero Emissions Engine The consortium comprises 32 partners of which 30% are Industrial and 70% are Universities / Research Institutes. The Budget share is 63% Industry and 37% Universities. The HERCULES-2 proposal covers with authority and in full the Work Programme scope B1 of MG.4.1-2014.

Individualised production is an emerging trend in manufacturing. Laser-based Additive Manufacturing (LBAM) fits well with this trend, due to its capability of transforming digital designs directly into physical products. LBAM is not yet competitive for a widespread industrial adoption: post-processing operations are necessary and they are not currently integrated, human intervention is needed to overcome technology gaps, and a poor integration with production planning systems hinders process traceability and resource optimisation. HyProCell proposes the combination of available cutting-edge LBAM machines and ICT innovations within an integrated multiprocess production cell, which will include at least LBAM and subtractive manufacturing machine/s, in order to ensure a fully finished product from the incoming raw material. The general objective of HyProCell is to implement and validate this concept in real settings, manufacturing real parts and measuring obtained benefits. HyProCell is expected to produce a sound impact on all the stakeholders of LBAM-related industry: - Making feasible a demand-driven LBAM production process supported on fast manufacturing procedure development capacities; - Creating highly automated and integrated multiprocess production cells, thus reducing dramatically downtime. - Enabling the rapid reconfiguration of the production cells, for scalability and/or new product demands, thanks to their modular architecture. - Fully enabling end-users to address new production trends. Relevant technological impacts are expected on hardware and software levels. A well-balanced consortium representing from machine manufacturers and end-users to Photonics experts, industrial automation specialist, ICT for smart manufacturing providers and technical services assures to meet project goals. Heavy involvement of SMEs (50% of the budget) guarantees an outstanding innovation push.