Calculate possible outcomes from a controlled variable

[titantough]

Hello,

Hopefully I posted this right. I am not even sure how to title my request, but here is what I am looking for.

I have a 252" length of steel.(controlled)
I have various cut lengths requried. ie: 213", 31.87", 42", 77.74", etc.

I was wondering if there was a formula to calculate the best possible combination of various cut lengths to acheive as close as possible to the overall lenght of 252". This will help determine the total count of 252" lengths required.

[ReportMaker]

Hello,

Hopefully I posted this right. I am not even sure how to title my request, but here is what I am looking for.

I have a 252" length of steel.(controlled)
I have various cut lengths requried. ie: 213", 31.87", 42", 77.74", etc.

I was wondering if there was a formula to calculate the best possible combination of various cut lengths to acheive as close as possible to the overall lenght of 252". This will help determine the total count of 252" lengths required.

I don't really know enough about the problem but I assume you'll need varying quantities of the different cuts at different times/they cost different amounts or something.

But anyway, you should have a look at the solver add-in (how to install: excel 2003 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...001127725.aspx ; excel 2007 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...010021570.aspx). I reckon it's just what you need for the job. There's plenty of help how to use it on the internet. You'll still need a bit of brain power to work out the problem though.

This sort of thing falls under linear programming (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_programming), so if you're stuck trying to figure out constraints etc you can look up help for that.

[titantough]

Thank you for your response. I have searched through this forum and researched the solver add-in, but cant seem to determine some of my constraints, similar to what you mentioned. Looking at the link you gave me for the wikipedia was appreciated, but i am still having trouble.

Maybe:confused this attachment will help. I have put together a sample of data i am looking to analyze, together with "hopeful" outcomes. I have listed below the active cells in the worksheet some text information to explain what is going on. I am wondering if these two tables should be separate worksheets? Forgive me, I am on a crash course with excel...but this would be SO helpful if possible.

[Alf]

Having read the link http://www.solver.com/procenter.htm recently posted by shg, I've set up a model based on your specifictions.

Hopefully I've managed to include all possible ways of cutting a rod, if not you will have to extend the model.

Question, would not cutting the steel rod increase spillage? Teoreticaly you cut six 42" pieces from a 252" bar but is that really possible in reality?

Run Solver to get an answar to your problem.

HTH

Alf