A column generation approach to a carpentry cutting stock problem: a case study for planks cutting in Zimbabwe

The carpentry sector like any other industry is faced with a cutting stock problem to minimize incurred waste. The main purpose of this project was to develop a mathematical model which will solve the cutting stock problem using column generation approach for Ashtons Company in Chinhoyi. The interview method was used to collect data relating to the cutting stock problem. The column generation approach of iterative computational routines was used because it develops successively better solutions until an optimal solution is obtained. The results revealed that the method is an appropriate method in solving business problems, that is, how many boards should be cut to meet demand with minimum incurred waste. A user friendly graphical user interface was developed using Visual Basic programming which could be used by the carpentry manager.Keywords: cutting stock problem, feasible solution, optimal solution, integer programmingAfrican Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 9, 201