ANCA's Tool of the Year 2022 accepting submissions

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

Now in its fifth year, ANCA launched this year's competition at the first-ever GrindingHub - show that took place in Stuttgart, Germany. The “Oscars” of the cutting tool industry, participants, and winners in this prestigious contest 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 engagements on social media.
 
Patrick Boland, Co-Founder at ANCA said, “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 brought 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 program scripts, remote access, and cutting-edge machines to operate at maximum efficiency.”

“During my 40-plus years, ANCA has consistently led the industry in 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 who push our machines to their limits and create tooling masterpieces.”

John Saunders from Saunders Machine Works and founder of YouTube channel NYC CNC was a first-time TOTY judge. "Seeing the creative use of custom tooling is amazing," he said. "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 

ANCA’s Tool of the Year customers can submit their favorite tool, with the winners being judged and announced live at IMTS. There will be two competition categories to recognize both the functionality and creativity of cutting tool manufacturers. 

• The main prize goes to #MadeonANCA tools and entries 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 the winner’s grinding needs or a trip to ANCA's headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. This amazing prize further includes access as an ANCA VIP to exclusive opportunities with our ANCA tool experts. The winner of the most innovative virtual tool will receive a full CIM software package. 

Submissions are open until August 8, 2022.
 
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 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 favorably)
• Level of complexity (i.e. in terms of the number of steps, profiles will rank favorably)