Advances in technology, growing environmental awareness and sustainability strategies, and the increasing integration of smart systems are rapidly changing the engineering landscape. As 2024 draws to a close and we head into 2025, here at Crane, we’ve turned our attention to three critical trends that will continue to shape the future of engineering.
In this article, we take a closer look at how sustainability, cybersecurity and smart engineering will dominate and transform the industry in 2025 and beyond. We also explore why businesses must adapt to stay ahead and remain competitive.
1. Sustainability: engineering a greener future
In recent years, sustainability has been a growing priority for businesses across all industries. However, with mounting pressures to reduce their environmental impact, adopting eco-friendly practices is now necessary for every engineering business.
In order to meet the expectations of customers, regulators and partner businesses, it is crucial for engineering businesses and manufacturers to review and overhaul their practices to ensure they meet the demand for greener engineering.
At Crane, we’re making significant strides towards greener practices. Our commitment to sustainability is a core value we adhere to and push forward. We’re taking steps towards a future where sustainability is at the forefront of torque management solutions. Here are just some of the ways we are creating positive sustainability changes:
- Crane is recognised as an ISO 14000 company, which means we have a framework to work towards to help us reduce our impact on the environment
- Since April 2023, we have been committed to zero waste to landfill. Working with Envirovue, everything we dispose of is recycled or converted into energy
- In order to reduce our carbon footprint and demands for energy from the grid, Crane installed solar panels at our UK-based office to help us generate our own electricity
- We place carbon-conscious decisions at the forefront of our business. To further reduce our carbon footprint, we have installed LED lighting throughout our UK office, replaced plastic packaging with recyclable cardboard, donated wooden packaging such as pallets to a local wood-reclaiming charity and gone fully electric with our commercial vans
- As of October 2024, our ‘plant a tree’ promise has helped us plant over 3,500 trees worldwide. We’re committed to planting a tree every time we sell a product
By making changes to the way we operate, we can contribute to a greener future for the engineering industry. Our sustainability initiatives are not just about meeting regulations but about making a positive impact on the planet and inspiring others to do the same.
How torque measurement products benefit the environment
When considering a more sustainable future, it’s worth noting the benefits that using high-quality torque measurement solutions can bring, and the knock-on effect this has for the environment.
Accurate torque measurement and control ensures that manufacturing processes operate more efficiently. This leads to less energy consumption, reduced wastage of raw materials and a significant decrease in wear and tear on equipment. Reliable torque measurement tools and assembly guidance software can help engineering businesses mitigate downtime and make cost savings while making a positive impact on the planet.
Additionally, Crane’s products utilise rechargeable batteries instead of disposables and they comply with both RoHS and WEEE regulations. This ensures the safe disposal of hazardous materials, preventing environmental harm.
2. Cybersecurity: protecting against threats
As smart systems, AI and Industry 4.0 technologies continue to grow within the engineering industry, the risk of cyber threats increases. While these technologies bring significant efficiency gains, the growing reliance on connected devices and data-driven processes expands the attack surface for engineering businesses of all shapes and sizes. For this reason, enhancing cyber security will be a top priority for 2025.
For example, without sufficient cyber security and remediation strategies, a ransomware attack could grind a production line to a halt. Leading to significant downtime, financial loss and reputational damage. As we move into 2025, the demand for cybersecurity solutions designed for the engineering sector is expected to skyrocket.
Engineering businesses and manufacturers should make cybersecurity a priority to help safeguard their future. By ensuring they have robust security measures, including firewalls and encryption, and a plan to recover from threats, they can increase their security posture and mitigate the risk of a security breach.
One of the biggest threats is the integration of AI in engineering processes. While a powerful tool for automation, it is also a target for malicious attacks. Engineering businesses must harness AI responsibly and ensure the right levels of protection are in place to close any vulnerabilities.
In order to ensure there are no weak links in your IT infrastructure, our TCI-2 lineside controller leverages MQTT, a powerful communication protocol designed to keep systems connected and efficient. Unlike traditional systems that rely on direct connections between devices, which can break if one component fails, MQTT uses a central ‘broker’ to manage all communication. This broker ensures messages are delivered reliably, even if some devices temporarily lose connection.
By using MQTT, the TCI-2 ensures that data flows smoothly and continuously, reducing the risk of disruptions and weak points in your infrastructure.
3. Smart Engineering: the path to Industry 4.0
In 2025 and beyond, engineering is set to get smarter. The industry as a whole is embracing new ways of working, using new technologies to optimise processes. Businesses are adopting data and connectivity technologies to help them make operations more efficient, adaptable and reliant.
What is Industry 4.0?
Also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Industry 4.0 is a technological revolution that will transform how businesses operate by using digital technologies.
Crane’s TCI-2 lineside controller helps facilitate Industry 4.0 compliance, by communicating using a wide range of communication methods including MQTT, as previously mentioned, as well as Open Protocol and many others. The TCI-2 lineside controller enables operators to connect and manage up to five torque wrenches in engineering environments. The TCI-2 lineside controller then collects data during the assembly process and sends it directly to the customer’s system or Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software to provide real-time insights on performance, quality and compliance. At the same time, specific tasks or ‘jobs’ can be sent from the system back to the tools, ensuring precise execution and traceability.
Integration of the TCI-2 lineside controller is a perfect example of how smart engineering is transforming the engineering landscape. Real-time data sharing and job allocation can help reduce inefficiencies, mitigate downtime and enhance overall productivity and profitability. Adoption of tools like this can help engineering businesses gain a competitive edge.
Smart engineering tools like the TCI-2 lineside controller can also help with Industry 4.0 compliance. It can help businesses align themselves with the principles of Industry 4.0, such as connectivity, automation and data-driven decision-making. Businesses that adopt smart engineering practices can unlock new levels of performance and safeguard their future.
Engineering a better future with Crane.
The journey ahead may be complex, but it’s also full of opportunity. Those who invest in sustainable practices, secure their systems and adopt smarter ways of working will be better placed for continued growth and success.
If you would like to learn more about our smart engineering solutions, please get in touch with us below or contact us.