Jacob Ringwald, a student at the Arizona State University (Mesa, AZ).
Mastercam’s IOF competition helps introduce students to real-world manufacturing by challenging them to put their own creative twist on a specific part to be judged by a special guest from the manufacturing industry.
For the 2012-2013 competition, students designed and machined their choice of parts: a connecting rod, racing wheel, or short shifter, and were judged by VAC Motorsports, the world’s ultimate source for serious BMW performance and racing parts. The winner received a $1,000 check for school expenses, Mastercam software, and a trip to visit VAC Motorsports to spend the day on the race track with them.
Tony Salloum, Owner of VAC Motorsports says, “The decision was not an easy one I have to admit. All of the candidates did a wonderful job with their parts and every part submitted could have won.”
However, Tony picked Jacob’s short shifter which was designed in the shape of a baseball. “I feel this part shows a lot of talent. The part was not easy to draw with all of the details, and even more difficult to execute. The detail in the stitching was excellent, and the overall finish is very nice. The part was the most difficult and it truly showed talent and creativity.”
Of his winning part, Jacob says, “I have always loved the game of baseball. The IOF competition allowed me to use my skills and creativity to design and make a shifter knob from a sport I love.”