I am stumped as to "how to approach" the calculation my co-worker has asked me about: "Do you know if there is way to make excel determine an efficient method to cut multiple lengths of beams from a quantity of standard lengths? Or have you heard of any other program or method to do this?
E.g. We are ordering 600 LF of beam, in 240" lengths, and need to cut these pieces out of it.
Qty*** Length
10***** 76
6****** 44
2****** 45
2****** 36
6****** 32
2****** 20
4****** 31
1****** 54
4****** 82
3****** 82
1****** 54
--------------------------
I jumped right to the "round up" formula but this won't take advantage of the excess material from other pieces/cuts. I don't think there is a "simple" approach or formula for this especially because the "multiple" quantities for each length.
We are trying to take advantage of the "leftover" pieces from the cuts: for example, only two each 82 inch pieces can be cut from the standard 240 inch length but the leftover piece will be 76 inches long which will provide one of the ten 76" pieces needed on the first line (or two of the 36" pieces). Ouch, my head hurts!
Any ideas on how to approach this...if even possible? Thank you all so much in advance and for the great help everyone is past, present & future!
E.g. We are ordering 600 LF of beam, in 240" lengths, and need to cut these pieces out of it.
Qty*** Length
10***** 76
6****** 44
2****** 45
2****** 36
6****** 32
2****** 20
4****** 31
1****** 54
4****** 82
3****** 82
1****** 54
--------------------------
I jumped right to the "round up" formula but this won't take advantage of the excess material from other pieces/cuts. I don't think there is a "simple" approach or formula for this especially because the "multiple" quantities for each length.
We are trying to take advantage of the "leftover" pieces from the cuts: for example, only two each 82 inch pieces can be cut from the standard 240 inch length but the leftover piece will be 76 inches long which will provide one of the ten 76" pieces needed on the first line (or two of the 36" pieces). Ouch, my head hurts!
Any ideas on how to approach this...if even possible? Thank you all so much in advance and for the great help everyone is past, present & future!
