Mastercam 2007 Innovator of the Future Competition Gives Students Their Chance at the Wheel

Scholarship Opportunities and Real World Projects Provide Strong Motivational Tools

CNC Software Inc.announces the 2007 Innovator of the Future (IOF) national competition. The Mastercam Innovator of the Future contest entices students with a real-world manufacturing challenge, celebrity judge, and a chance to win a scholarship plus a trip to California. This competition provides instructors with a powerful motivational tool to get students excited about learning CAD/CAM and the manufacturing process.

The Celebrity Judge

Boyd Coddington, known by many from the popular TLC show American Hot Rod, was the inaugural Mastercam IOF Celebrity Judge. Boyd was so impressed by the caliber of the parts entered in the first contest that he was eager to be the celebrity judge again in the 2007 competition.

The Challenge

The IOF 2007 challenge is to design and machine a ½-scale steering wheel. The wheel’s outside diameter must be 7 inches, with an overall thickness of 1 inch. The grip cross section has an unspecified diameter. The center hub must have a diameter of 2.25 inches with a minimum thickness of .0.20 inches. The mounting hole pattern must provide 9 holes on a 1 inch radius to accept #6-32 screws. A center hole 1.75 inches in diameter accommodates wiring. A horn button must cover the mounting screws. The final assembly must achieve a tolerance of +/- 0.010 inch.

The Awards

The student who designs the winning entry will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the school of their choice. The winner and their Mastercam course instructor also receive an expense-paid trip to California to meet Boyd Coddington and tour his world-famous shop. A Mastercam IOF recognition plaque will go to both the winner and their school, and the winner’s instructor will receive a limited edition Mastercam IOF jacket. Everyone who enters the competition receives an exclusive Mastercam IOF shirt.

Competition Rules

All entries to the Mastercam 2007 IOF competition are subject to the following requirements:

The part must be programmed with Mastercam software.
The part must have a professional look and remain consistent with the theme industry standards.
The part can be made of any material that would be appropriate for an actual steering wheel.
The entrant must tell the story behind the part, such as the inspiration for the design, materials used, etc.
The entrant must include photos of the designer, the part, the instructor, school lab, and the CNC machine. Electronic files are preferred.
The entry must consist of one finished, unpainted part.
All entries become the property of CNC Software, Inc. Parts cannot be returned. All designs become the property of Boyd Coddington.
All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.
All entries and completed entry forms must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.
Send entries to CNC Software, Inc., Educational Division, 5717 Wollochet Drive NW, Ste 2A, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, (253) 858-6677
Visit www.mastercamiof.com for additional details. Send questions to education@mastercam.com.

For more information on the Mastercam 2007 Innovator of the Future competition including the entry form, please visit http://www.mastercamiof.com.