Mastercam Announces 3rd Annual 'Innovator of the Future'

CNC Software, Inc. (Tolland, CT), developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, has announced that the winner of its IOF (Innovator of the Future) contest for the 2007/2008 school year is Bernie Sievers, a student in the Advanced Manufacturing Program at Vincennes University (Vincennes, Indiana).

Mastercam?s Innovator of the Future contest helps introduce students to real-world manufacturing by asking them to produce a specific part that will be judged by a special guest from the manufacturing industry. The IOF contest required entrants to design and cut a steering wheel. Each contestant also had to submit a written description of the part, such as the inspiration for the design, the materials used, etc.

The guest celebrity judge for IOF 2007/2008 was Boyd Coddington, known by many from the popular TLC show American Hot Rod. Boyd had been the celebrity judge for the very first IOF contest. He was so impressed by the caliber of the parts entered that he was eager to be the celebrity judge again.

Bernie Sievers? winning entry immediately caught Boyd?s attention. The steering wheel was interesting and fresh, and the holes along the top and bottom added to the sleek racing style of the wheel. Bernie Sievers is a race car enthusiast and is interested in applying his skills to 5-axis CNC machining.

The runner up to the contest was Kenyon Burrell from Eastern Arizona College (Thatcher, AZ). His design artfully integrated both aesthetics and ergonomics in a steering wheel. Alex Beranek and Jordan Hinkson, both from Kenmore Middle School (Arlington, Virginia), had honorable mentions with their biohazard symbol steering wheel. Coddington admired the boldness these boys showed by entering a competition typically dominated by college students!

**In memory of Boyd Coddington ? It is with great sadness that we learned of Boyd?s passing. Our deepest sympathies go out to Boyd?s family and coworkers. Boyd?s energy, enthusiasm, and love of cars were infectious. It has been an honor working with him, who graciously volunteered twice to judge our IOF contest. His efforts towards keeping America?s youth interested in manufacturing are an inspiration to everyone in our industry. www.mastercam.com