TORONTO - Wood production software is a leading category as the exhibitor count runs 28 percent ahead of the 2013 edition of the WMS show. Pre-registration is also running 51 percent head of last time. The 2015 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference and Expo brings the world's leading players of machinery, tooling and supplies right to the doorstep of the robust Canadian woodworking industry. Canada's premier woodworking event returns to Halls 1 and 2 of Toronto's International Centre Nov. 5-7.

The newly remodeled and expanded venue will play host to Canada's largest display of woodworking machinery, supplies and services and offer educational opportunities on strategies to operate smarter and leaner.

One reason for the growth is a large number of first-time exhibitors, about 20 percent of the total exhibitor group. Significantly, 25 percent of the new exhibitors fall in the general software category,  representing the entire spectrum of operations and design applications. New at WMS 2015 are Alphacam, Ardis, Compass, ECiM1, and PYTHA, the latter making its North American debut of 3D CAM software. Based in Germany, PYTHA's range of applications includes high end bedrooms, wardrobes and closets, or luxury-level kitchens. Current users apply it to commercial joinery, contract furniture and highly detailed bespoke joinery.

These new software exhibitors at WMS join Artcam by Delcam, Microvellum, and Planit Canada, along with software application and development services provided by the major CNC machinery manufacturers at the show.

Industry 4.0, the new wood industry approach to running lean and profitably, will find its first major North American presentation during the education sessions at the WMS 2015 how in Toronto. U.S. woodworking business owners will also hear the scoop on small-shop robotics, enterprise programming, Batch One production, as well as live demonstrations of technology first seen at LIGNA 2015. The professional development opportunities will be accompanied by a mix of paid and free on-the-floor sessions.

Software underpins the program for three "out of the box" conference sessions that will take a look at Canadian woodworking firms adopting leading edge technology:

Robotic Assist for Mid-Sized Plants - Like humans, robots are adapting to Batch One-production workcells. Attendees at this session will hear case studies suggesting the implementation of robotic automation is practical for any sized plant, with presentations by users and Canada's leading experts on robotics in wood manufacturing.

Producing Furniture and Case Goods On Demand I - Visionary Samir Shah founded 4 AXYZ (pronounced "Four Axes") to develop technology to produce wood products through "additive" manufacturing, which also simplifies the process for integrating electronics into furniture. An architect, designer, entrepreneur and consultant to the woodworking industry, Shah has 27 years of experience in various aspects of business, design, manufacturing and machine technology used by the woodworking industry. Shah and his team envisions a global network for on-demand production of furniture. He'll provide an update on his progress.

Producing Furniture and Case Goods On Demand - Massuni was launched by Verso Furniture in 2000. Based in Toronto and headed by Jeff Wilson, the company is in beta for its "mass customization" furniture production program. The factory is 60 miles north of Toronto. Significantly, eight of its 18 member start-up team are software developers - not wood crafters. The program will present the approach Massuni is taking, including development of a furniture configurator that allows specifications set by customers online to be fed to production operations.