#ANCATooloftheYear2022 offers participants global acclaim and thousands in prize money

06.07.2022

In an industry moving at lightning speed, ANCA Tool of the Year celebrates the deep experience and creativity of the craftspeople who create the next generation of cutting tools

Into its fifth year, ANCA's industry-first competition launches for 2022 at the first ever GrindingHub - the new industry meeting place for grinding technology in Stuttgart, Germany. The ‘Oscars’ of the Cutting Tool industry, participants and winners achieve important brand recognition as well as cash and other prizes. Last year the awards achieved a total digital audience reach of 8.1 million readers via the media with 37 global entries seen by over 202,480 fans generating over 200,000 engagement on social media.

Patrick Boland, Co-Founder at ANCA comments: “Every year brings yet another step change in technology that enables cutting tool makers to increase their sophistication in designing and manufacturing products. This year we bring our ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS) to GrindingHub, a huge leap in technology to create the factory of the future. Efficient, automated and operating 24/7, the AIMS factory uses modular programs scripts, remote access, and cutting-edge machines to operate at maximum efficiency.”

“During my 40 plus years we consistently lead the industry designing advanced technology. For example in 1986 we launched the TG4 – the first machine ever to automate the measurement of tool geometry, thereby making regrinding possible. Reviewing Tool of the Year entries I am always in awe of the passion and talent of customers that push our machines to their limits and create tooling masterpieces.”

John Saunders, Saunders Machine Works and founder of YouTube channel NYC CNC and first time Judge said: "Seeing the creative use of custom tooling is amazing.  Being able to reduce setups, improve cycle time, or even eliminate tools with the use of modern, custom carbide is something all shops should consider.  It's an honor to be part of this competition and I hope it can help raise awareness about the benefits of a well-designed and executed cutting tool.”

ANCA Tool of the Year 2022

To find the Tool of the Year customers can submit their favourite tool with the winners being judged and announced live at IMTS. There will be two competition categories to recognise both the functionality and creativity of cutting tool manufacturers.

•          The main prize goes to #MadeonANCA tools and entrants will be judged on the form and performance of their cutting tool.

•          The second category is for virtual tools as the “Most innovative tool design”. Entrants are encouraged to be creative and use ANCA tool design software to push ideas to their limits.

The winner of #MadeonANCA receives $10,000 AUD worth of ANCA innovations for parts, accessories or software that fit your grinding needs or a trip to ANCA's headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. This amazing prize comes with access as an ANCA VIP to exclusive opportunities with our ANCA experts. The winner of the most innovative virtual tool will receive the full CIM software package.

Winner categories include #MadeonAnca for ground workpieces and most innovative tool design for virtual tools

In 2021, Turcar from Turkey won both the #MadeonANCA and virtual category

Submissions are open until 8th August.

The competition will be based on the passion and the craft of tool making and celebrate our highly skilled tool grinding community.

Judging panel

•          Pat Boland, Co-Founder and Managing Director at ANCA

•          John Saunders, Saunders Machine Works and founder of YouTube channel NYC CNC

•          Xiaoyu Wang, Product Manager at ANCA

•          Santosh Plakkat, Product Manager at ANCA

•          Darren Fox, Product Manager at ANCA

•          Zoller – measure profile and diameter

At IMTS the top five finalist tools will be judged on the following criteria:

•          Best surface finish in Ra (roughness average) value on the flute or gash surface

•          The tool the that is closest to the nominal tolerance as stated on the drawing in terms of diameter and profile (i.e. if the tolerance on diameter is +/- 0.010mm and the tool is measured to 0.005 then this will rank favorably)

•          Tool that has been ground to the tightest tolerance as per the drawing (i.e. the tool with the lowest tolerance will rank favourably)

•          Level of complexity (i.e. in terms of the number of steps, profiles will rank favourably)

Fanar from Poland received their price for first runner-up on site at the EMO in Milan

For further information, please visit: https://machines.anca.com/