ANCA CNC Machines has opened entries for the #ANCATooloftheYear2026 competition, inviting toolmakers, programmers and innovators worldwide to demonstrate their creativity, technical expertise and digital design capabilities.
For the 2026 edition, the competition will focus exclusively on the Virtual Tool category, highlighting innovation in digital tool design. Participants will be challenged to develop cutting tool concepts using ANCA’s ToolRoom and CIM3D software platforms without manufacturing a physical tool. Winners will receive prizes and global recognition through ANCA’s media, trade show and digital channels. Competition details, entry requirements and prize information are available on www.anca.com/tool-of-the-year.
Alongside the competition, ANCA will once again recognise outstanding talent across the industry with the Female Machinist of the Year award, celebrating women who are helping shape the future of precision manufacturing through technical skill, leadership, innovation and mentorship.
“Manufacturers across the world are facing increasing pressure from fluctuating carbide and raw material costs, so this year we wanted to place the spotlight firmly on innovation, simulation and design ingenuity,” said Pat Boland, ANCA Co-Founder. “The Virtual Tool category gives entrants the freedom to explore creative geometries, advanced grinding strategies and new concepts in a highly accessible way, while the Female Machinist of the Year award recognises the talented women helping drive our industry forward.”
#ANCATooloftheYear2026: Celebrating virtual cutting tool innovation
The ANCA Tool of the Year competition has become one of the cutting tool industry’s most recognised global awards programs, celebrating precision, craftsmanship and innovation from toolmakers worldwide.
For 2026, the competition will focus exclusively on the Virtual Tool category, inviting entrants to create innovative virtual tools that demonstrate precision, creativity, manufacturability and technical excellence using ANCA software technologies.
Using ANCA’s ToolRoom and CIM3D platforms, entrants are encouraged to explore creative geometries, advanced grinding strategies and new cutting tool concepts in a fully digital environment.
Judges will assess submissions based on:
- Innovation and originality
- Technical execution
- Manufacturability and application potential
- Creative use of ToolRoom and CIM3D
Female Machinist of the Year: Recognising women shaping the future of manufacturing
The Female Machinist of the Year award will recognise women making a significant contribution to the cutting tool and precision manufacturing industries through technical excellence, leadership, innovation and mentorship.
Sarah Falk, Marketing Director at Scientific Cutting Tools and one of the judges for the Female Machinist of the Year award, said the program plays an important role in recognising and encouraging women in manufacturing: “I’m proud to support ANCA’s Female Machinist of the Year program as a judge. Recognising women who are advancing manufacturing through technical excellence, innovation and leadership is an important step in strengthening our industry. I’m excited to help celebrate the individuals whose work is raising the bar and encouraging more women to pursue careers in machining.”
“Manufacturing continues to evolve, and the industry is stronger when we celebrate the diverse talent helping shape its future,” added Boland. “We hope this award inspires more women to pursue careers in engineering, CNC machining and advanced manufacturing.”
Submissions for #ANCATooloftheYear2026 and Female Machinist of the Year are open from 22 June 2026 through to 11 August 2026, with winners to be announced later this year at IMTS 2026.
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