ANCA's industry-first competition is back with the 2021 winners to be announced live at EMO, Milano; a major global trade fair that recognizes the magic world of metalworking. Last year the industry welcomed the opportunity to show off their skills with almost 30 entries received from across the world being seen by over 80,000 fans generating over 200,000 engagement on social media. 

Patrick Boland, co-founder at ANCA comments: “Our industry thrives thanks to grinders’ expertise. Much of what people use and enjoy in everyday life is due to the hard work and ever increasing technical acumen of these cutting tool makers and as a result we are seeing the complexity of cutting tools increase, improving productivity, tool life and functionality.”       

“Now in its fourth year, ANCA Tool of the Year has gained significant coverage – raising the profile of cutting tools and those companies who make them. I encourage all cutting tool makers to enter our competition and be recognized on a global stage for your craftmanship and contributions to our industry,” he concluded.

Ivan Cuscov, plant director at Cerin SpA and first time judge said: "Continuous developments in tool technology have shown us that standard products have become easier and easier to make and the challenge is to create something new, putting creativity into the grinding process. Grinding technology can still be surprising for expert people who work in the field every day given turning new ideas into reality is enhanced by an open, flexible software such as ANCA’s iGrind.” Cerin SpA began operating in 1971 and is one of the most reputable Italian manufacturers of carbide precision tools.

ANCA will also showcase the much anticipated AutoMarkX for the first time at EMO. AutoMarkX is an automatic stand-alone laser marking station replacing manual and labor-intensive processes. 

To find the Tool of the Year customers can submit their favorite tool with the winners being judged and announced live at EMO. 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 entrants 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 – 2021.” 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 your grinding needs and the winner of the most innovative virtual tool will receive the full CIM software package. 

Submissions open from June 15th  - August 15th.

2020’s #MadeonANCA competition winner, ARCH Cutting Tools’ entry demonstrated excellent use of multiple iGrind operations with several complex profiles. Jeff Cederstrom, president of ARCH Cutting Tools said: “It is a humbling experience to be involved in a friendly competition with some of the world’s most innovative and technically advanced cutting tool manufacturers. We will use the recognition to further motivate us to push the limits of cutting tool design to meet our ultimate goal of meeting our customers’ needs and the challenges they have in their applications every day.”  

Patrick Boland continued: “For the winners of Virtual Tool Category, 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. (Joint virtual winner) 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.” 

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