Cutting Stock Optimization Tool

Your Excel file should contain two sheets with the following structure:

Sheet 1: Stock Inventory

Name the first sheet "Stock" with the following columns:

• Quantity: Number of available stock rods of this length
• Length: Length of the stock rods in your preferred unit (mm, units , inches, etc.)

Sheet 2: Order Requirements

Name the second sheet "Order" with the following columns:

• Quantity: Number of pieces needed at this length
• Length: Length of each required piece in the same unit as stock rods

Note: Both sheets have the same column order: Quantity first, then Length.

You can use the "Download Template" button to get a correctly formatted Excel file template.

This tool uses the First-Fit Decreasing (FFD) algorithm to solve the cutting stock problem:

1. Sort required pieces in decreasing order of length
2. For each required piece:
   • Find the first available stock rod with enough remaining length
   • Assign the piece to that rod
   • Update the remaining length of the rod
3. Repeat until all pieces are assigned or no suitable stock remains

This greedy approach provides a good balance between optimization quality and computational speed. While it doesn't guarantee the mathematical optimum in all cases, it typically produces results with reasonably low waste.

For extremely complex cutting stock problems or when absolute mathematical optimality is required, more advanced algorithms like branch-and-price or column generation methods would be needed.