Who Won the IWF Atlanta Challengers Awards?

Seventy-nine companies entered to win this year's IWF Atlanta's Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award, given to makers of innovative new products that advance the woodworking industry. The seven winners of the accolade were announced this morning, on the first day of the biennial trade show, where we're exhibiting along with 850 others through the week's end.

And the winners are ...

Credit: CIM-Tech

CIM-Tech — This maker of design and manufacturing software won a Challengers Award for a new, state-of-the-art program called Solid-CIM 3D, which programs or nests 3D assemblies or solid parts from design software. It uses a feature called Automatic Feature Recognition on three-dimensional solids and assemblies to lay parts flat and program machine functions. Solid-CIM 3D "turns your solid models and assemblies into 100 percent machine-ready NC Code for any CNC machine," the company's description reads.

Giben-America Inc. — IWF awarded Giben for its new Giben Prisma 6000 panel sizing saw, which uses ECOtech to improve machine productivity while cutting power usage. That means more speed, more power with less energy and fewer components. Booth #6712.

Hafele America Co. — This purveyor of furniture, cabinet, closet and architectural hardware won an award for what it calls Frontino hardware, a technology that aligns sliding doors flush on tracks instead of on separate tracks, according to the Woodworking Network. That smoother alignment means doors close quietly and save space by not opening outwards, the company explained.

Credit: MartinWoodworking

MartinWoodworking Machines Corp. — The new T75 PreX table saw features a blade that tilts to both sides to maximize efficiency and makes it suitable for a wide range of woodworking needs. Most sliding table saws have blades that only tilt in one direction. Booth #5458.

Miltec UV — This entrant won for a newly invented HPI Gloss Control UV Curing System, which nixes downtime by using only a single UV topcoat for any gloss range, the company website reads. The time saved translates to less energy used, which saves money and maximizes profits. A wood finishing company could see a cost payback within a couple years, Miltec says. Booth #6534.

Techniks Inc. — This CNC tooling company came away with a prize for its recently introduced Extra Plus Aggregate Head. The product's oscillating cutting action makes it quicker and more simple to cut a mortise pocked, the company says.

Credit: Cameron Automation

Cameron Automation — A manufacturer of woodworking machines (and a division of James L. Taylor Manufacturing)  Cameron Automation created the Challengers Award-winning Cameron Flooring Nester, which automates the normally manual work of nesting uneven length flooring into even bundles for strapping. Automating the job saves time and, ultimately, money. It's simple to install, easy to use and comes with software that's easy to understand, according to the company website.