Optimal cutting of dimension parts from lumber with a defect: a heuristic solution procedure

Abstract

A heuristic solution procedure is described to solve the optimal cutting of lumber with a defect. The model directly considers the extent and location of the defect within the lumber. It operates by inscribing the defect within a small box, and then optimizes the cutting given the location of this box within the board. The heuristic model generates optimal or near-optimal solutions. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the solution procedure