On April 14 and 15, the Aula Magna of the University of Florence will host the 26th edition of the International Wood Machining Seminar (IWMS), the biennial event that has served as a benchmark in the wood machining sector for over 50 years.
Created with the goal of bridging scientific research and industry, the IWMS rotates between America, Asia, and Europe, bringing together experts, researchers, technicians, and companies from around the world. The 2025 edition in Florence confirms the event’s international reach: among the 70 expected participants are delegations from France, Austria, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Finland, Japan, Canada, Chile, Slovenia, Sweden, the United States, and of course, Italy.
The core of the event features 47 scientific contributions, organized into several thematic categories focused on the analysis and optimization of the wood cutting process. Topics include: cutting force and power, cutting mechanics, process optimization, new tools and machines, sensors and quality, as well as issues related to health, the environment, and market dynamics.
Giacomo Goli, professor at the University of Florence and part of the organizing committee, emphasized the strong response to the event. He noted that being in Europe has significantly contributed to broad attendance, including from the industrial sector, which played an important role in supporting the initiative.
According to Goli, IWMS plays a key role in building networks, fostering connections, and promoting the dissemination of knowledge, with a tangible impact on the development of the entire supply chain. The academic dimension, he explained, is central to the event: it is a place where research is carried out, knowledge is shared, and future professionals are trained. Beyond generating new ideas, the seminar also serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between different players in the industry.
At the end of the seminar, on April 16 and 17, 2025, a technical post-event tour will give participants the opportunity to visit three high-profile companies in the sector: Ecobloks, specialized in recycling wood waste for the production of pallet blocks; Cefla, known for its surface finishing solutions; and SCM Group, a global leader in wood machining technologies, which will open its control room dedicated to intelligent manufacturing solutions.
This tour, beginning on the morning of April 16 and ending in the late afternoon of April 17, offers a concrete opportunity to experience innovation in industrial wood production firsthand. Goli highlighted the importance of showcasing local industrial excellence, seeing it as a valuable way to connect theory and practice and to demonstrate the innovation emerging from the region.
