Mathematical Modeling and Optimal Blank Generation in Glass Manufacturing
This paper discusses the stock size selection problem (Chambers and Dyson, 1976), which is of relevance in the float glass industry. Given a fixed integer N, generally between 2 and 6 (but potentially larger), we find the N best sizes for intermediate stock from which to cut a roster of orders. An o...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Applied Mathematics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/959453 |
| Summary: | This paper discusses the stock size selection problem (Chambers and Dyson, 1976), which is of relevance in the float glass industry. Given a fixed integer N, generally between 2 and 6 (but potentially larger), we find the N best sizes for intermediate stock from which to cut a roster of orders. An objective function is formulated with the purpose of minimizing wastage, and the problem is phrased as a combinatorial optimization problem involving the selection of columns of a cost matrix. Some bounds and heuristics are developed, and two exact algorithms (depth-first search and branch-and-bound) are applied to the problem, as well as one approximate algorithm (NOMAD). It is found that wastage reduces dramatically as N increases, but this trend becomes less pronounced for larger values of N (beyond 6 or 7). For typical values of N, branch-and-bound is able to find the exact solution within a reasonable amount of time. |
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| ISSN: | 1110-757X 1687-0042 |