Chuck Hutchins has been at the forefront of innovation in machine tool and NC technology since 1959. He has co-founded two companies named Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc (MDSI).  The first gave birth to Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and the second initiated the open architecture control movement with OpenCNC(tm). His work has had a profound impact on the productivity of thousands of companies and has enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of machinists.

At its height in the early eighties, the first MDSI posted annual sales of $56 million and employed more than 800 people.  From 1978 to 1982 MDSI hired more than five new employees per work week. In 1985 MDSI was listed number eight on Forbes magazine’s ranking of the decade’s 100 most successful initial public offerings (IPOs).

Today, the second MDSI’s OpenCNC is the only machine control on the market that is a pure software solution and works with common-off-the-shelf PC technology.

Chuck graduated in 1957 BC (as in Before Computers) from the University of Michigan College of Engineering with a major in machine design.

Chuck has been an active sponsor of the University of Michigan Solar Car Team for twenty one years and has accompanied the team on seventeen cross country races including five in Australia.