ARCH Medical Grinding Wins ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 at IMTS

ARCH Medical Grinding has won the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 award at IMTS 2026 for a multipurpose surgical tool concept designed with future robotic surgery in mind. Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill was also named ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026.

ARCH Medical Grinding has taken the top honour at the ANCA Tool of the Year Awards 2026, presented during IMTS 2026, with a digitally designed multipurpose surgical tool developed by Mark Delaney and Ryan Alderfer.

The winning concept combines drilling, reaming and tapping functions in a single cannulated tool, incorporating a milled pocket for a nitinol wire and a screwdriver at the opposite end.

The project was developed using ANCA’s ToolRoom and CIM3D software platforms and produced on an ANCA MX7 to test its functionality.

What won ARCH Medical Grinding the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 award?

ARCH Medical Grinding won the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 award for a multipurpose surgical tool concept designed around potential future applications in robotic surgery.

The concept brings several functions into one cutting tool, including:

• Drilling
• Reaming
• Tapping
• Cannulated design
• Milled pocket for a nitinol wire
• Screwdriver function

The approach is intended to reduce tool changes in robotic surgery while demonstrating complex tool geometry and advanced digital tool design.

According to ANCA, the winning entry demonstrated a combination of practical multi-tool geometry, refined design features and creative use of ANCA software.

A cutting tool designed for robotic surgery

The winning entry moves beyond conventional cutting-tool applications by exploring how precision toolmaking could support emerging surgical applications.

Its cannulated configuration incorporates a milled pocket designed for a nitinol wire, while the opposite end incorporates a screwdriver.

The combination allows several functions to be integrated into one tool concept.

For the ARCH Medical Grinding team, the project also provided an opportunity to demonstrate how traditional cutting-tool design principles could be applied to a future-facing application.

The tool was designed by Mark Delaney and Ryan Alderfer, with Delaney serving as Vice President of Operations at ARCH Medical Grinding.

“It’s an honour to win with such gifted tool makers from around the world in the contest.”

Delaney also highlighted the significance of the award for the medical-device industry and the next generation of toolmakers.

“I wanted to put on display the talented young team we have and Ryan’s capabilities in design, focusing on what I believe future surgical tools will look like.”

Designed digitally, tested physically

One of the notable aspects of the 2026 ANCA Tool of the Year competition was its focus on virtual innovation.

The competition allowed entrants to explore ambitious geometries and grinding strategies without the material cost associated with producing a physical tool.

ARCH Medical Grinding developed its winning concept using ANCA ToolRoom and CIM3D before producing the tool on an ANCA MX7 to test its functionality.

That combination of digital design and physical testing gave the team an opportunity to move the concept beyond a purely virtual design.

The project also demonstrated the importance of parameters such as geometry, runout and cutting performance when considering advanced cutting-tool applications.

ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 winners

The 2026 competition recognised three leading entries:

Position	Company	Country
1st	ARCH Medical Grinding	USA
2nd	TDM	Türkiye
3rd	Roder Ferramentas	Brazil

The awards were presented live at the ANCA stand at IMTS 2026, bringing together customers, partners and industry visitors.

Jessica Kuenn named ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026

Alongside the Tool of the Year award, Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill was named ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026.

Kuenn transitioned from a white-collar career into manufacturing and has developed her skills as a grinder while also beginning to expand into programming.

Reflecting on the award, Kuenn described it as recognition of the work and dedication involved in her journey through manufacturing.

“This award feels like a reflection of all the hard work and dedication I’ve put into that journey.”

She also highlighted the importance of learning from different approaches within manufacturing.

“I am always curious to see what others are doing, how they approach their work, and what I can learn from their methods.”

ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026

Winner: Jessica Kuenn — Gorilla Mill

Finalists:

• Kajal Shrikant Ghule — Accusharp Cutting Tools Pvt Ltd

Why the ANCA awards matter

The ANCA Tool of the Year Awards have become a platform for recognising the people behind cutting-tool innovation.

The 2026 competition placed particular emphasis on virtual design, complex geometries and advanced grinding strategies, giving participants greater freedom to explore concepts without the material costs normally associated with physical tool development.

For manufacturers and toolmakers, this highlights the growing role of digital tools in exploring new possibilities before committing to physical production.

The ARCH Medical Grinding entry is particularly notable because it connects precision cutting-tool technology with an emerging application in robotic surgery.

A wider message for the cutting-tool industry

The 2026 awards also highlight a broader theme across modern manufacturing: innovation increasingly depends on the combination of software, machine capability and skilled people.

ARCH Medical Grinding’s winning entry combined digital design through ToolRoom and CIM3D with production on an MX7, while the Female Machinist of the Year award recognised the development of individual manufacturing skills.

Together, the awards placed both technology and people at the centre of the 2026 ANCA programme.

For an industry increasingly focused on precision, productivity and flexibility, the ability to explore complex designs digitally while retaining practical manufacturing knowledge remains an important part of innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026?

ARCH Medical Grinding from the USA won the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 award at IMTS 2026.

What did ARCH Medical Grinding win for?

ARCH Medical Grinding won for a multipurpose surgical tool concept developed by Mark Delaney and Ryan Alderfer with future robotic surgery in mind.

What functions does the winning surgical tool combine?

The tool combines drilling, reaming and tapping, along with a cannulated design, a milled pocket for a nitinol wire and a screwdriver at the opposite end.

Which software was used to develop the winning tool?

The entry was developed using ANCA ToolRoom and CIM3D software.

Which ANCA machine was used to produce the tool?

The team produced the tool on an ANCA MX7 and tested its functionality.

Who won ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026?

Jessica Kuenn of Gorilla Mill was named ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2026.

Where were the ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 awards presented?

The awards were presented live at the ANCA stand at IMTS 2026.

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Machina Today Takeaway

The ANCA Tool of the Year 2026 results show how cutting-tool innovation is expanding beyond traditional applications.

ARCH Medical Grinding’s winning concept connects precision grinding, digital tool design and an emerging robotic-surgery application—while the recognition of Jessica Kuenn highlights the people developing the skills needed to move manufacturing forward.

At IMTS 2026, the message was clear: advanced manufacturing is being shaped by both smarter technology and the people who know how to use it.