CNC Software, Tolland, CT, developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announced that the winner of its Innovator of the Future contest for the 2007/2008 school year is Bernie Sievers, a student in the Advanced Manufacturing Program at Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN.
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The contest is designed to help introduce students to real-world manufacturing by asking them to produce a specific part that would be judged by a guest from the manufacturing industry. The IOF contest required entrants to design and cut a steering wheel. Each contestant also had to submit a written description of the part, such as the inspiration for the design, the materials used, and other specifications.
The guest celebrity judge for IOF 2007/2008 was the late Boyd Codding-ton, known to many from the popular TLC show American Hot Rod.
Runner-up was Kenyon Burrell from Eastern Arizona College, Thatcher, AZ. His design integrated both aesthetics and ergonomics in a steering wheel. Alex Beranek and Jordan Hinkson, both from Kenmore Middle School, Arlington, VA, had honorable mentions with their biohazard symbol steering wheel.