CNC Software, developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, has announced the winner of its 2012-2013 Innovator of the Future (IOF) competition: Jacob Ringwald, a student at the Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona.

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 winner received a $1000 check for school expenses, Mastercam software, and a trip to visit VAC Motorsports to spend the day on the race track with them.

Jacob’s winning short shifter was designed in the shape of a baseball. 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.”

For more information on the Mastercam Innovator of the Future competition, visit www.mastercam.com/IOF.