Sandvik Coromant recently sponsored a contest at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana where 21 students from the school's Advanced Manufacturing Program used Mastercam software to design and machine a NASCAR style gearshift lever and knob. The inspiration for the local competition came from Mastercam's Innovator of the Future event, a national student manufacturing contest that was judged by Stewart-Haas Racing's Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Brad Harris and won by Vincennes student Justin Small.

"Though our students participate in the national event each year, we wanted to host a contest that would showcase their talent and ingenuity to the local Vincennes community," said Doug Bowman, associate professor and director of the Haas Technical Education Center (HTEC) at Vincennes University.

Judges from Sandvik Coromant, Mastercam and Haas evaluated the entries based on originality, practicality, style and quality of workmanship. The top three overall finishers - Seth Cook, Mike Weisman and Tom Nuckol - received Sandvik Coromant Tooling Certificates valued at $1,500, $750 and $500. Other winners were Justin Small (Most Original), Wes Eberhardt (Best Racecar Shifter), Branden Updike (Best Show Car Shifter) and Heath Berry (Best Presentation).

"Our relationship with Sandvik Coromant began when we established the HTEC in 2005," said Bowman. "Their support over the last five years has been invaluable not only in terms of supplying reliable, effective cutting tools that meet our students needs but also providing strategies and techniques that will allow them to find success in the workforce."

Vincennes University's HTEC is housed in the school's state-of-the-art Technology Center, and includes 13 Haas machining and turning centers that Advanced Manufacturing students use to program and machine complex 2, 3, 4 and 5-axis parts.

"The Sandvik Coromant, Haas, Mastercam and Vincennes University partnership is a powerful way to prepare the next generation of CNC programmers and operators," added Bowman. "We are grateful that they are playing such strong roles in workforce development."

Students from Vincennes University's Advanced Manufacturing Program pose with their winning projects (pictured above).