What Does The Future of Engineering Hold?

Mobile phones, 3D cabinet design, the cloud, and AI – all of these developments were not immediately embraced during those early stages. Why would I want to make a call while I'm outside, or why do I need a three-dimensional representation of my panel?

Early on, there were pioneers applying these future technologies, and there are still some today. In the future engineering vision below, we use our knowledge and experience to outline how the engineering trends initiated by these pioneers will continue to develop and how your organisation can capitalise on them.

Key Technological Innovations

Various technologies and trends play a role in future engineering. The most important of these are AI and data-driven work. AI is important because it will improve engineering in all areas: it can automate tasks, allowing engineers to develop higher-quality end products faster, with fewer errors, and at lower costs. Data is important because it is the foundation on which future engineering must be built. Without comprehensive and transparent data management, AI technology would be useless.

AI and Automation

AI is essential in future engineering. This technology can advise, support, and monitor engineers' work, such as when configuring a machine. For example, engineers currently still have to program all the rules and dependencies themselves, which is time-consuming and repetitive. In future engineering, AI can eliminate the need for such repetitive tasks. Are you using the American version of a component instead of the European one? AI can proactively check such matters. After all, this technology identifies which customer and country an engineer is designing for.

AI can also provide support by answering questions or recommending an alternative part when a specific type or brand is out of stock. AI can also assist with the Form Fit Function process. Currently, engineers have to immediately assign a part number and type, which isn't yet important in the design phase. AI can automatically assign this information later in the design process.

Digital Twins, Simulations, IoT, and Connectivity

In future engineering, the use of digital twins will become increasingly widespread. With such a copy, engineers can test their designs: does a relay function as expected, and does the wiring fit into a mechanical design? Other disciplines, such as software development, have long been testing with digital twins. Other technological trends that will play a greater role in future engineering are the Internet of Things (IoT) and its associated connectivity. This will have an impact on the maintenance phase, since IoT sensors can detect defects earlier or even make them predictable. This paves the way for predictive maintenance, where Eplan ensures that the required technical information, such as schematics, data sheets, and ordering information, is automatically displayed.

Sustainability in Engineering

How do you make engineering more sustainable? Future engineering will increasingly focus on sustainability. But for sustainable design, engineers are dependent on the materials offered by electrical suppliers. How large is the production footprint of certain components, and have environmentally friendly materials been used? Engineering software developers like Eplan can improve sustainability in future engineering by offering engineers the option to select sustainable materials. AI could also provide advice here.

Cloud-Based Tools

Future engineering will see increased use of cloud-based tools. These are ideal for sharing data and thus collaborating more efficiently in the engineering process; even from remote locations. The cloud, for example, allows engineers to view the correct machine data on-site and carry out repairs immediately. Moreover, the cloud makes work much more convenient. For example, at Eplan, engineers no longer need a dongle and don't have to log in centrally to check for license availability.

To further simplify use, future engineering software solutions will increasingly be available as standalone apps through online marketplaces. Finally, digital workflows will become even more important to reduce the increasing complexity of engineering solutions. A digital workflow, for example, enables improved supply chain integration. Digitisation ensures that all partners involved in the supply chain can easily exchange information, which accelerates the process and prevents errors.

Benefits of Future Engineering

Future engineering offers several advantages. First, it makes engineering more efficient: automation and AI take over manual tasks, and digital workflows enable faster data exchange. This leads to shorter lead times and a faster time-to-market. Second, it improves the quality of engineering and, consequently, the final product. How? Automation and AI prevent manual errors by retyping information, digital twins reveal design flaws sooner, and the IoT enables predictive maintenance with the automatic display of technical information in Eplan. This means fewer sudden failures and last-minute repairs. Third, future engineering creates cost savings. This allows organizations to produce more with fewer staff. AI relieves engineers of repetitive tasks, freeing them up for complex projects. An added benefit is that work becomes more enjoyable for engineers. Future engineering therefore not only makes you a more efficient producer but also a better employer, which is attractive when technical personnel are scarce.

Challenges of Future Engineering

Future engineering is data-driven. To even be able to use AI, digital workflows, IoT information, and digital twins, you depend on good data management. This also presents a major challenge: how do you prepare your data management for future engineering? This is done by storing all engineering data in software programs like Eplan. Unsure whether to store certain data? Today, you delete information you're unsure about. With future engineering, the opposite applies: when in doubt, always keep it. After all, you never know if you'll need certain data in the future.

Another challenge is organising supply chain collaboration. Ensure that you can easily share information with supply chain partners. Then future engineering is one step closer. This also requires a different mindset. Supply chain partners must realise that by sharing insights and experiences, they all benefit. Everyone needs to be on board, because the supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Through this more streamlined collaboration, all supply chain partners help each other achieve shorter lead times, cost savings, and improved product quality.

Preparing for the Future

In addition to structured data management, future engineering requires the right skills. Engineers, as well as professionals in other roles, must be able to collaborate effectively with future engineering solutions. This will lead to more specialisations within engineering. For example, some engineers will specialise more in the data backend, while others in implementation – depending on what best suits their own knowledge, needs, and skills. If your organisation has its data management and collaboration in the supply chain in order, and has the right skills in-house, you'll be well prepared and will be able to implement future engineering technologies more easily.

Conclusion: The Future Starts Now

Where do you begin with future engineering? Get your data management in order, acquire the right skills, and streamline collaboration within the supply chain. These are the three most important steps on the road to future engineering. This ensures you can optimally leverage the most impactful trends such as AI, digital workflows, predictive maintenance with IoT data, and digital twins.