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The ANCA Awards recognise digital tooling concepts and female professionals in manufacturing
ANCA CNC Machines has launched the submission phase for #ANCATooloftheYear2026. Toolmakers, programmers and developers from around the world are invited to showcase their ideas, technical expertise and digital design skills as part of the competition.
Nayeli Martínez, winner of the 2025 ANCA Female Machinist Award (second from the right)
In 2026, the focus is on virtual tool development. This year, the competition centres exclusively on the ‘Virtual Tool’ category. Against a backdrop of fluctuating costs for carbide and raw materials, ANCA users are invited to develop cutting tool designs using the ToolRoom and CIM3D software platforms, without having to manufacture a physical tool.
Alongside this competition, ANCA is once again presenting the ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ award. The award recognises female professionals who contribute to the advancement of precision manufacturing through their technical expertise, leadership, creativity and innovation.
Manufacturers worldwide are under pressure due to fluctuating costs for carbide and raw materials. That is why this year we are focusing on innovation, simulation and design expertise. The ‘Virtual Tool’ category enables participating companies to test creative geometries, grinding strategies and new concepts digitally. The ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ award also recognises female professionals who contribute to the development of our industry.
Pat Boland, co-founder of ANCA.
#ANCATooloftheYear2026: Focus on virtual cutting tools
The ANCA Tool of the Year competition recognises precision, craftsmanship and innovation among tool manufacturers worldwide.
For 2026, the focus is exclusively on the ‘Virtual Tool’ category. Experts develop and simulate virtual tools using ToolRoom and CIM3D. The emphasis is on software proficiency, precision and creativity.
The jury assesses the entries according to the following criteria:
• Creativity
• Visual presentation
• Use of the functions and flexibility of the ANCA software ToolRoom and CIM3D
In 2025, first place in the virtual category of the ANCA Tool of the Year award went to Huarui Precision Cutting Tools
Female Machinist of the Year: An award for women in manufacturing
The ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ award honours female professionals who contribute to progress in the precision tooling industry through technical excellence, leadership, creativity and innovation.
Sarah Falk, Marketing Director at Scientific Cutting Tools in California and a member of the ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ awards panel, emphasises the importance of the programme in recognising women in manufacturing: “I am thrilled to support ANCA’s ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ programme as a judge. Highlighting women who are driving manufacturing forward through technical expertise, innovation and leadership is a vital contribution to strengthening our industry. I look forward to honouring individuals whose work sets new standards and encourages more women to pursue a career in machining.”
“Manufacturing is evolving, and the industry benefits when diverse talent is recognised,” adds Boland. “We hope that this award will encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering, CNC machining and modern manufacturing.”
Entries for #ANCATooloftheYear2026 and the ‘Female Machinist of the Year’ award are open from 22 June 2026 to 11 August 2026. The award has been presented since 2023; past winners include Lena Risse from Risse Werkzeugtechnik in North Rhine-Westphalia and Nayeli Martínez from OSG GmbH in Göppingen. The winners will be announced in September at IMTS 2026 in Chicago.