ANCA Tool of the Year (TOTY) Competition Celebrates the Next Generation of Cutting Tools

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Now in its fifth year, ANCA’s industry-first competition launched for 2022 at the first-ever GrindingHub – the new industry meeting place for grinding technology in Stuttgart, Germany.

Considered 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 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 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 and first time TOTY 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.”

Submissions

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.

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

Submissions are open until August 8th, 2022. Visit https://machines.anca.com/ for more information and to enter the competition.