A CAM system for one-dimensional stock cutting

This paper considers the one-dimensional cutting stock problem in which m types of items are cut from stock bars of multiple sizes such that the bar cost is minimized. A solution to this problem is a cutting plan consisting of a set of cutting patterns with specified frequency. A CAM system based on a sequential heuristic procedure is developed for generating cutting plans. The algorithm takes the reduction of bar cost as the primary objective, and considers two secondary objectives - pattern reduction and shorter stocks reduction. The system provides a set of non-dominated cutting plans so that the most appropriate one can be selected according to the specified circumstance. Computational results indicate that the algorithm can generate solutions comparable to or better than those of previously published algorithms that consider pattern reduction.