The light blue Constraint cells in the model the preceding image link to the light blue user-controlled inputs outside of the model in the following image. The 2 nd image shown is the right side of the model with the green Decision Variables and the yellow Objective Cell:Įxcel Solver Step 4 – List all Constraints The 1 st image is the left side of the model and list all possible cutting combinations and the waste left-over from each. The following 2 images present an expanded view for better clarity of the left and right halves of the preceding complete Excel model. Following is a complete view of the Excel model leading to the Objective. The green Decision Variable cells, cells H4 to H14, display the number of each type of combination that will be cut to meet an individual customer order. The yellow Objective Cell, I16, displays the total amount of leftover garment that will be wasted when a specific group of cutting combinations is applied to meet a customer order. The Decision Variables are the numbers of each type of cutting combination to cut.Įxcel Solver Step 3 – Build the Excel Equations That Combine the Objective With All Decision Variables We are trying to determine how many of each combination to cut that will satisfy the customer’s order requirements and also minimize leftover wasted garment. The cell is which the total waste from each order is calculated is the Objective Cell.Įxcel Solver Step 2 – Determine the Decision Variables The Objective is to minimize the total amount of wasted garment. The objective is to determine the correct number of each combination to cut that will meet the customer’s order and minimize the total amount of leftover, wasted garment. The total amount of waste of all combinations that are cut is also listed. The amount of waste (leftover material) from each combination is shown. As seen in Step 3, Cutting Stock problems require listing all of the possible combinations that the original sheets can be cut in order to satisfy the customer’s order. In this case, the objective is to minimize the total waste left-over when satisfying each customer order. Waste represents garment that is cut from the original 75” and 55” rolls which is not included in a customer order and is left-over.Įxcel Solver Step 1 – Determine the Objective The factory must cut the 75” rolls and 55” rolls in the correct number of 36”, 25”, and 13” rolls to meet individual customer orders while minimizing waste.
Customers order garment rolls in the following 3 sizes: rolls that are 36 inches wide, rolls that are 25 inches wide, and rolls that are 13 inches wide. This problem involves rolls of garment that are cut to smaller sizes to meet individual customer orders.Ī garment factory produces rolls of garment in the following 2 sizes: rolls that are 75 inches wide and rolls that are 55 inches wide. The sheets can represent any type of material that come in a strip that is cut into smaller strips, such as a roll of steel. Cutting Stock problems involve cutting large sheets into the optimal number of smaller strips to meet customer orders while minimizing waste. This is another classic Solver problem with many possible variations.