2D Nesting Algorithm....(Stock Cutting, Box Nesting etc)

[traversd]

Hi,

I currently work for a small busines that cuts sheet glass. I was wondering if anyone had been able to implement a nesting algorithm in Excel to work out the best sheet size usage for glass / paper / steel etc ?

So If I have standard sheet size, how many smaller sheets of a particluar measurement can I get out whilst minimizing waste ?

i.e. have 3 Landscape sheets and two portrait ect etc...A quick search has shown a lot of complicated Algorithm work, I just wondered if anyone had done something ismilar in Excel !!!

Cheers
Darren

 

[BrianB]

One way would be to use the =INT() worksheet function to see how many sheets of a particular length come out of the main sheet length and multiplying by the INT() of the breadth, then doing a similar calculation using the breadth of one sheet as length.

So number of sheets one way =INT(length1/length2) times INT(breadth1/breadth2)

Number of sheets the other way =INT(length1/breadth2) times INT(breadth1/length2)


You might also like to look at the =MOD() worksheet function.

 

[Ekim]

Darren,

This type of question has been asked many times on various Excel boards. As far as I am aware, nobody has ever produced a turn-key Excel based solution. It could be that people who have an Excel based solution are not prepared to share it (alternatively, they may be the type of people who don’t visit message boards). However, a Google search (search term: Glass Cutting Optimize) turned up an extensive range of specialist software (non-Excel) e.g.

http://www.optimizecutter.com/product_sheet_metal_cutting_software.html

http://www.nirvanatec.com/glass-optimization.html

You may be able to locate some shareware or even freeware that does the job for you.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[traversd]

Brian / Ekim,

Many thanks for your help.

Ekim, I think your right !

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

Many regards.
Darren