ANCA’s 2020 ‘Tool of the Year Competition’ Celebrates Functionality, Creativity of Toolmaking

ANCA’s industry-first competition is back, but not as you know it. With two competition categories, the winners will be announced via livestream from ANCA’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia from the company’s newly designed virtual showroom.

This competition gives ANCA customers a chance to not only build brand recognition within the industry but to also push the boundaries and showcase their skills, innovation and creativity globally. It is an opportunity to share your achievements with a community that appreciates the beauty that goes along with performance in cutting tools.

“This is an unusual year for all, and normally we love meeting with our customers and partners at international trade shows for this annual ANCA event,” said ANCA Global Marketing Manager, Lucas Hale. “However, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to connect digitally through ANCA’s active online channels. This way we can continue to acknowledge the incredibly high standard of cutting tools produced with unique designs and specialist applications.

“We hope to see even more entries this year across our two competition categories,” he added.

Outstanding tools continue to come out of the ways that tool makers innovate to take on new challenges, pivot to meet customers’ needs in a time of the unexpected and continue to deliver precision and excellence.

The Tool of the Year for 2020 will be the standout tool that is made on an ANCA machine. The tools entered in the main competition category showcase the sub-micron finish, complexity and superior cutting performance expected from any of ANCA’s machine range. These are functional and practical tools that start as ideas and are ground into reality, as the tools that shape our world. Tools made on an ANCA mean quality and endurance.

Last year’s winner, Brian Beland, President, KV Tooling said: “It’s a hidden business, tool grinding happens behind closed doors, in factories – nobody knows what we do. (Tool of the Year) gave us the opportunity to showcase what we do, why it’s important, what types of industries we support – which basically is all industry supported by machinery and tool grinding.”

Virtual Tools – where simulation software shines

Simulated tools with innovative features can be designed using ANCA’s suite of specialist tool and cutter grinding software. CIM3D was the 3D revolution which changed an industry. As ANCA celebrates over 20 years of our simulation software, the latest CIM3D version enables the user to simulate complete grinding sequences. Using CIM3D V9 along with ToolDraft and ToolRoom RN34, an exciting virtual tool entry can easily be submitted even when working from home.

Along with the glory of an international accolade, the main prize is $10,000 worth of ANCA innovations for parts, accessories or software that fit your grinding needs. The winner of the most innovative virtual tool will receive the full CIM software package.

Watch the #ANCATooloftheYear2020 video at: https://youtu.be/DJYkmaLiAJg