ARCH Cutting Tools Takes Top Place in ANCA Competition 

With 28 entries, 1.2 million social impressions and almost 4500 votes, ANCA’s Tool of the Year loudly celebrates the contribution modern cutting tools make to manufacturing, surgery, woodworking and other diverse industries. For example, finalist Ocmandy’s tool makes the outside profile of the windows for the Louvre Museum in Paris. The competition shines a light on and celebrates these tools that shape our world.

The overall winner, ARCH Cutting Tool’s entry demonstrated excellent use of multiple iGrind operations with several complex profiles. The tool came out in front of others when compared to the DXF and measured on the Zoller for Profile OD and Runout. The surface finish measurement on the Alicona produced a superb result. The tool also stood out in terms of complexity of grinding and was a large diameter (1”) multi-functional cutting tool with many features. Overall the tool was complete – checking every box to be the Tool of the Year winner and was an exceptional effort from the team at ARCH.

ARCH Cutting Tools is the third American company in as many years to achieve the accolade, highlighting that the skill and craftmanship of the U.S. cutting tool industry is alive and well.

“We entered to present and showcase our capabilities as a cutting tool manufacturer and to demonstrate the complex capabilities of the ANCA Tool and Cutter Grinder,” said Jim Gray, president and general manager, ARCH Cutting Tools – Latrobe. “Additionally, we entered to share with customers our own custom capabilities with solid carbide tools.

“Our entry was based on what we provide for our customers,” he added, “it’s multifunctional, providing the customer a single high-performance tool that’s multiple tools in one. A solution-driven tool, that reduces the need for tool changes and increases productivity.”

ZMK received the runner up award in this category for another outstanding effort with its contribution.

Pat Boland, ANCA co-founder said, “The cutting tool sector has faced a significant challenge with the onset of COVID-19. In these conditions, it is even more important to promote and recognize our contributions as an industry. This year we saw the most complex and sophisticated entries to date … the technical advancements demonstrated by cutting tool manufactures continue to amaze.

“I think of ANCA’s Tool of the Year as the Oscars for cutting tools and am proud to take the time to recognize and reward the creativity and skill of manufacturers globally,” Boland added.

Winners of Virtual Tool Category – JG Group and Turcar 

The entries for the Virtual Tool category were so impressive that the judges found it impossible to split JG Group and Turcar’s submissions. They agreed that both virtual tools were complex and demonstrated great use of different cycles and operations.

“JG Group from Poland took a creative approach using an Australian theme of the Sydney Opera House reproduced in a profile tool, looking as impressive as a tool as it does in real life,” said Boland.

“Turcar’s tool amazed me in how they achieved their tool design. I had no idea our software could produce something as beautiful and as well executed as their entry.

“Both tools showed a high level of effort, artistry and creativity. When creating the Virtual Tools, both Turcar and JG Group used their imagination along with the power and flexibility of ToolRoom RN34 and CIM3D V9 to produce works of art,” he said.

Grzegorz Reszka CEO, JG Group, “Achieving the winner status among the world class tool grinding companies makes us more marketable and gives us exposure on new global markets. It was an amazing opportunity and evidence of what JG Group Experts can provide for our customers. Congratulations to all participants and the winners!”

Tarık Öztürk, chief technology officer at Turcar said, “This year we wanted to come up with something different and that is why we named our entry Katana, meaning the best work of the world – a value we brought to this competition.”

The Tool of the Year must be a ground tool that is functional, high quality and complex. A panel of expert judges consider the surface finish, tolerance and functionality. This year the industry-first competition had two categories.
Winner of ANCA Tool of the Year 

ARCH Cutting Tools

Runner Up – ZMK

Winners of Virtual Tool Category 

JG Group and Turcar

#MadeonANCA Finalists 

JG Group, Poland

ARCH Cutting Tools, U.S.

Aayudh Tools, India

OCMANDY, France

Mastermet, Poland

ZMK, Poland

GUIDOLIN Affilatura Utensili (Pat’s Pick), Italy

Virtual Tool Finalists 

JG Group, Poland

Aayudh Tools, India

Turcar, Turkey

Miltas (Pat’s Pick), Turkey

Tools Made On An ANCA Mean Quality And Endurance

ANCA’s annual competition gives cutting tool manufacturers a chance to not only build brand recognition within the industry, but to also push the boundaries and showcase the beauty of performance expected from ANCA machines in the cutting tools industry. The main winner receives $10,000 AUD worth of ANCA parts, accessories or software and the winner of the most innovative virtual tool receives the full CIM software package.

Judging Panel 

Pat Boland, co-founder and managing director at ANCA

Jason Allen, managing director, ISCAR Australia

Peter Sutton, managing director, Sutton Tools

Alicona – measurement of surface finish

Zoller – measurement of profile and diameter