Solution of the Rectangular Strip Packing Problem Considering a 3-Stage Guillotine Cutting Constraint with Finite Slitter Blades

Abstract

In this study, we propose a new algorithm to solve the rectangular strip packing problem (RSPP), a variant of the cutting stock problem in which the mother materials have a common fixed width and infinite length. Based on the column-generation technique with three improvements, the proposed algorithm can solve large-scale problems involving tens of thousands of materials within a reasonable time, considering practical cutting constraints, i.e., the three-stage guillotine cutting constraint and the limitations of slitter blades. The proposed algorithm is evaluated in terms of its packing efficiency and calculation time.