Tool challenge Anca recognises toolmaking talent at IMTS 2026

A multifunctional surgical tool concept has secured Arch Medical Grinding first place in Anca’s Tool of the Year 2026 competition. Turkey’s TDM finished second, while Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill was named Female Machinist of the Year.

Cutting tool manufacturer Anca announced the winners of the Anca Tool of the Year Awards 2026 at IMTS 2026 in Chicago. Arch Medical Grinding (USA) won with a multifunctional surgical tool concept. TDM from Turkey took second place, followed by Roder Ferramentas from Brazil in third. Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill was named Anca Female Machinist of the Year 2026.

This year’s competition focused entirely on virtual tool design. Participants used Anca software to develop tool geometries, grinding strategies and design concepts without incurring the material costs of producing a physical tool. The awards recognise the skills of the toolmakers and programmers behind innovations in cutting tools.

Arch Medical Grinding’s winning entry was developed by Mark Delaney and Ryan Alderfer with the future of robot-assisted surgery in mind. The cannulated tool combines drilling, reaming and tapping. It also features a milled pocket for a nitinol wire and a screwdriver at the opposite end. Combining several functions in one tool is intended to reduce tool changes during robot-assisted procedures. The team designed the tool using Anca’s Tool Room and CIM3D software, incorporating realistic cutting-edge geometries and additional milling operations. It then manufactured the tool on an Anca MX7 and tested its functionality. In doing so, the team applied established cutting-tool design principles to an application in which precise geometry, runout and cutting performance are becoming increasingly important.

Mark Delaney, Vice President of Operations at Arch Medical Grinding, said: “It is an honour to win a competition featuring such talented toolmakers from around the world. It means even more to us because, to my knowledge, we are the first winners from the medical technology sector. It also shows that the mentors from my past continue to influence the next generation of toolmakers, such as Ryan and others. I wanted to showcase our talented young team and Ryan’s design skills, focusing on what I believe surgical tools will look like in the future.”

According to the judges, TDM’s second-place entry impressed with a strong final presentation. The simulation ran without collisions, demonstrating careful programming and a sound understanding of realistic grinding processes. The tool combines right- and left-hand helical flutes with well-defined geometry, giving it the characteristics of a practical finished product. TDM received its award at the Anca stand at Maktek 2026.

Third place went to Roder Ferramentas from Brazil. JG Group’s entry was also among the finalists.

Anca also named Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill Female Machinist of the Year 2026. Kuenn moved from an office role into manufacturing. Since then, she has developed her skills as a tool grinder and is now expanding her knowledge into programming. Kajal Shrikant Ghule of Accusharp Cutting Tools Pvt Ltd was also a finalist in this category.

“This award reflects all the hard work and dedication I have put into this journey. It also reminds me of how far I have come and how much I still want to learn and improve,” said Kuenn. “What I particularly enjoy about this profession is that there are so many ways to approach a task and achieve the same goal. I am always curious about what others are doing, how they approach their work and what I can learn from their methods.”

The awards were presented at the Anca stand at IMTS 2026 in front of customers, partners and visitors. Through its Tool of the Year and Female Machinist of the Year awards, Anca supports the next generation of engineers, programmers and manufacturing leaders while recognising the contribution of women to the industry.

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