         Document file for Cutting Wizard 5.0 ( Evaluation Copy )
         Copyright (c) 1997 - July  2000, by M. Nimal Gunarathne.
         --------------------------------------------------------

                            Getting  Started
                            ================

  Brief description
  -----------------

  If you are engaged either in Construction,  Cutting Standard  Lengths  of
  material  to  smaller  lengths  needed  (  eg.    Bar  Schedules ), or in
  Estimation of required Standard  Lengths  of  materials to be ordered for
  various projects, then this super program is especially for you.

  The materials and the form of standard lengths concerned  may  vary  from
  Steel,  Iron,  Timber,  bars,  flat Iron,  channels, rods, columns, pipes
  ,Steel angles to beams or any other kind of linear items..

  Detailed  description
  ---------------------

  Let  us  consider  a  real life example.   For a certain project you need
  different lengths of Aluminium members having a particular cross-section.
  The required lengths and  the  quantities  from  each  length is given in
  table - 1.

  When you inquire from the  Aluminium  suppliers  you learn that there are
  several sizes of standard lengths available having the  particular  cross
  section.    The  sizes  of  available standard lengths,  their respective
  prices and balance stocks are given in table - 2.

                 Table - 1                     Table - 2
                 ---------                     ---------

          .--------------------.        .--------------------------------.
          | Length  | Quantity |        |  Length  |  Price   | Balance  |
          |(Metres) | required |        | (Metres) | ( US$ )  |  Stock   |
          |--------------------|        |---------------------|----------|
          |   1.7   |     84   |        |   6.1    |   30.4   |    3     |
          |   2.3   |    121   |        |   5.5    |   27.5   |    7     |
          |   1.5   |     67   |        |   4.6    |   22.3   |    5     |
          |   0.8   |     90   |        |   4.3    |   20.1   |   10     |
          |   1.1   |     65   |        |   3.7    |   18.6   |    9     |
          |   1.3   |    119   |         --------------------- ----------
          |   3.1   |    114   |
          |   0.6   |    191   |
           --------------------

  NB -   The program is independent of units.  We are using Metres and US$
         as  an example.  It can be any linear & currency units.

  As an intelligent user you would like to minimize the cost involved.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  Therefore at this moment  you  would  like  to know the following details
  before placing the order for the material.

  1.  The number of standard lengths to be purchased,  from  each  type  to
      minimize the cost.

  2.  How  to  cut these  standard lengths bought, and the balance stock to
      obtain the required  pieces ( Bar schedule ) with minimum wastage.

  Now you are facing  an  extremely  complex  mathematical problem.   To my
  knowledge there is no any known mathematical method or procedure to solve
  this kind of problem.

  The only (im)possible way of doing this is to consider all  the  possible
  ways  of buying the standard lengths,  and then consider all the possible
  ways of cutting the required  pieces  from  the standard lengths and find
  the optimum solution.   There could be billions of combinations to select
  and check.

  If you try to find this answer manually,  you will get tired of doing the
  tedious,  repetitive mathematical calculations.   Most probably you  will
  not try this method.  Honestly I am not any better than you, in doing it.


  Due  to the above mentioned difficulties,  this "bar cutting problem" has
  lived far too a long time in the history without a proper solution.  As a
  result the average percentage of money  and material loss involved in bar
  cutting, generally lies between 5 - 15 %.

  Use of this software will allow  you  to  eliminate  all  possible  waste
  involved  in  bar  cutting.    This will enable your Organization to make
  considerable savings as well as be ahead of competition.

  I am more than  delighted  to  introduce  this  program for achieving the
  optimum solution.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           A Wizard to help you.
                           ---------------------

  The "Cutting Wizard" can answer all the above questions  and  can  handle
  many other more complicated situations too.

  When  you  run the program and enter the relevant details of the standard
  lengths and the  bar  schedule,   the  program  will  give you a detailed
  schedule of materials to be purchased and the  instructions  for  cutting
  them to obtain your requirement.

  Let us check the Wizard's  solution for the above-mentioned problem.

















#######################################   A Solution by Cutting Wizard 5.0

Reference  =>

--------------- CUT LIST --------------   ---- STOCK LIST -----  =========
  Length Qty.  Length Qty.  Length Qty.   Length   Price  Stock  Use   Buy
---------------------------------------   ---------------------  ---------
     1.7   84                                6.1    30.4      3    3
     2.3  121                                5.5    27.5      7    7
     1.5   67                                4.6    22.3      5    5    61
     0.8   90                                4.3    20.1     10   10   199
     1.1   65                                3.7    18.6      9    9
     1.3  119
     3.1  114
     0.6  191
                                          ============ TOTAL =============
                                          Amount       Money      Material
                                          --------------------------------

                                          Used       6123.80       1292.40
                                          Lost         21.51          4.60
                                          % loss        0.35          0.36

                           Kerf =  0.00   CW50-2000   26-Aug-00   09:58 AM

C-U-T-T-I-N-G---S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E ---------------------------

STOCK LENGTHS   CUTTING DETAILS      26-Aug-00   [OFF-CUTS]
-------------   ---------------      ---------   ----------
Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.           09:58  AM   Qty.  Len.
(Price  Total)  ------------------------------   ----------
    6.1     3     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.7  1 x  1.3
(   30.4    3)

    5.5     7     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.3  1 x  1.1
(   27.5    7)

    4.6     5     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.5
    4.6    60     2 x  2.3
    4.6     1     1 x  1.3  4 x   .8              1    0.10
(   22.3   66)

    4.3    10     1 x  3.1  2 x   .6
    4.3    80     1 x  3.1  2 x   .6
    4.3     1     1 x  2.3  1 x   .8  2 x   .6
    4.3    58     1 x  1.7  1 x  1.5  1 x  1.1
    4.3    23     1 x  1.7  2 x  1.3
    4.3     2     2 x  1.5  1 x  1.3
    4.3    30     2 x  1.3  2 x   .8             30    0.10
    4.3     5     5 x   .8                        5    0.30
(   20.1  209)

    3.7     9     1 x  3.1  1 x   .6
(   18.6    9)                       CW50-2000
-------------   ------------------------------   ----------
Total Cost =>      6123.80           Loss   =>         4.60
Total Loss =>        21.51           Qty,Kf =>   36    0.00
-------------   ------------------------------   ----------



  Required lengths are given under the heading "CUT LIST".   The details of
  stock lengths are given  under  "STOCK  LIST".    Rest  of  the  solution
  describes  the  proposed buying schedule (under "Use" and "Buy" headings)
  and the resulting estimate.   The number of stock lengths to be used from
  existing stock is given under  the  heading  "Use",  and the number to be
  bought from each size is given under the heading "Buy".

  Consider  the each length group and the amounts given inside the brackets
  ().  These figures will give you all the necessary information to buy the
  required standard lengths for the project.


  .-----------------------------------------------------------------------.
  |     Standard Lengths     |  Usgae    Extra      Nomber of |           |
  |--------------------------|   of      amount     Lengths   |    Cost   |
  |  Length    |    Price    | stocks    need       Tequired  |  ( US$ )  |
  |  (Metre)   |   ( US$ )   |  (Use) +  (Buy)  =>   Total    |           |
  |--------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------|
  |    6.1         (30.40)   |     3                (    3)   |    91.20  |
  |    5.5         (27.50)   |     7                (    7)   |   192.50  |
  |    4.6         (22.30)   |     5       61       (   66)   |  1471.80  |
  |    4.3         (20.10)   |    10      199       (  209)   |  4200.90  |
  |    3.7         (18.60)   |     9                (    9)   |   167.40  |
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Total Cost =>  6123.80
                                                                 =======

  The lines with  "x"  marks  provide  the  cutting  instructions.   Let us
  consider several lines and learn the pattern.

  #########################################################################

  Line - 1

  Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                       Qty.  Len.
  -------------   ------------------------------   ----------
      6.1     3     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.7  1 x  1.3

    Take 3 lengths of 6.1 Metre and cut

                          1 No. of 3.1 Metre lengths and
                          1 No. of 1.7 Metre lengths and
                          1 No. of 1.3 Metre length.

                          from each length. No off-cuts.

  #########################################################################

  Line - 2

  Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                       Qty.  Len.
  -------------   ------------------------------   ----------
    5.5     7     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.3  1 x  1.1

  Take 7 lengths of 5.5 Metre and cut

                          1 No. of 3.1 Metre lengths and
                          1 No. of 1.3 Metre lengths and
                          1 No. of 1.1 Metre length.

                          from each length. No off-cuts.
  #########################################################################


  Line - 3

  Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                       Qty.  Len.
  -------------   ------------------------------   ----------
    4.6     5     1 x  3.1  1 x  1.5

  Take 5 lengths of 4.6 Metre and cut

                        1 No. of 3.1 Metre length and
                        1 No. of 1.5 Metre length

                        from each length. No off-cuts.

  #########################################################################

  Line - 4

  Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                       Qty.  Len.
  -------------   ------------------------------   ----------
    4.6    60     2 x  2.3

  Take 60 lengths of 4.6 Metre and cut

                        2 No. of 2.3 Metre lengths

                        from each length. No off-cuts.

  #########################################################################

  Line - 5

  Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                       Qty.  Len.
  -------------   ------------------------------   ----------
    4.6     1     1 x  1.3  4 x   .8                1    0.10

  Take 1 lengths of 4.6 Metre and cut

                       1 No. of 1.3 Metre length and
                       4 No. of 0.8 Metre length

                       from each length. This will result 1 off-cut of 0.10

  #########################################################################

  When you  execute  all  the  cutting  instructions  you  will  have  your
  requirement ( bar schedule ) ready.

  In  the  above example we discussed the cutting of only one type of cross
  section.   Let us consider the saving of money due to the use of "Cutting
  Wizard".

  In the manual selection method  your  solution could have a waste between
  5% - 15%,  and that could taken several hours of a  technical  person  to
  come up with a solution.

  In  the  solution  obtained through "Cutting Wizard" waste of material in
  terms of total length used is 0.36% and it took only few minutes.

  Approximately you have saved 600 US$ from this cutting session alone.

  *  How better you are now than manual method, in terms of Time & Money? *

  *******  Could you imagine the possible savings in big projects?  *******


  NB:    This evaluation version cannot be  used to verify the results of
         the  above example.  It can handle only five cutting items.

         Use the samples files ( sample*.pro ) provided and the problems of
         your own to test the program.   Try to find the answers  manually,
         and  then  compare  it  with  the  computer  solution  to  see the
         reduction in cost.



         ------------------------------------------------------------------

   ***   The percentage of waste decreases  with  the increase in number of
   ***   cutting items,  and  increased  quantity.    Therefore  the  waste
   ***   percentages  obtained  from  this  evaluation  version  ( which is
   ***   limited to five Standard  lengths  and  five cutting lengths ) may
   ***   not be that attractive.

         ------------------------------------------------------------------

         Never  come  to  the  wrong  conclusion  that  you  can  use  this
         evaluation version to handle a  long  list  of  cutting  items  by
         dividing  the  bar  schedule to smaller groups having four cutting
         items  in  each,   and  then  using  the  program  for  each group
         separately.

         It will be far less economical than the proper solution.

         If you wish to,  you can verify this buy doing it  for  the  above
         mentioned example which is having eight cutting items.

         Please note that there are many ways of dividing eight items in to
         two groups of four.

         ------------------------------------------------------------------

         If you wish to have  further  testing,  please e-mail your complex
         problems to me.   I will send you the answers free of charge.
         ( Limit : 3 problems )

         E-mail  ==>  nimalgm@sltnet.lk

         Some more examples are given below for your reference.











Example - 1
-----------

#######################################   A Solution by Cutting Wizard 5.0

Reference  => Timber, Lengths in meters, Prices in US$, No balance stocks.

--------------- CUT LIST --------------   ---- STOCK LIST -----  =========
  Length Qty.  Length Qty.  Length Qty.   Length   Price  Stock  Use   Buy
---------------------------------------   ---------------------  ---------
    1.87   98                                  6      20
    1.14   65                                5.4      18               128
    0.94   67                                4.8      15               132
    1.65   87                                4.2      14               146
    0.55   32                                3.6      12
    2.12   51                                  3      11
    1.17   42
     3.7   78
    2.33   53                             ============ TOTAL =============
    4.11   81                             Amount       Money      Material
     4.2   62                             --------------------------------
     4.3   27
     5.4   27                             Used       6328.00       1938.00
                                          Lost        102.38         31.95
                                          % loss        1.62          1.65

                           Kerf =  0.00   CW50-2000   26-Aug-00   09:03 AM

C-U-T-T-I-N-G---S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E ---------------------------

STOCK LENGTHS   CUTTING DETAILS      26-Aug-00   [OFF-CUTS]
-------------   ---------------      ---------   ----------
Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.           09:03  AM   Qty.  Len.
(Price  Total)  ------------------------------   ----------
    5.4    27     1 x  5.4
    5.4    16     1 x  4.3  2 x  .55
    5.4    11     1 x  4.3  1 x  .94             11    0.16
    5.4    22     1 x  3.7  1 x 1.65             22    0.05
    5.4    25     2 x 2.12  1 x 1.14             25    0.02
    5.4    27     2 x 1.87  1 x 1.65             27    0.01
(     18  128)

    4.8    56     1 x  3.7  1 x  .94             56    0.16
    4.8    21     1 x 2.33  2 x 1.17             21    0.13
    4.8    16     2 x 2.33                       16    0.14
    4.8     1     1 x 2.12  2 x 1.14              1    0.40
    4.8    38     1 x 1.87  1 x 1.65  1 x 1.14   38    0.14
(     15  132)

    4.2    62     1 x  4.2
    4.2    81     1 x 4.11                       81    0.09
    4.2     3     2 x 1.87                        3    0.46
(     14  146)                       CW50-2000
-------------   ------------------------------   ----------
Total Cost =>      6328.00           Loss   =>        31.95
Total Loss =>       102.38           Qty,Kf =>  301    0.00
-------------   ------------------------------   ----------

                Approximate saving   ==>  700 US$


Example - 2
-----------

#######################################   A Solution by Cutting Wizard 5.0

Reference  => Aluminium, Len. in feet, Prices in US$, No balance stocks.

--------------- CUT LIST --------------   ---- STOCK LIST -----  =========
  Length Qty.  Length Qty.  Length Qty.   Length   Price  Stock  Use   Buy
---------------------------------------   ---------------------  ---------
     7.5   98                                 20      21
     7.3   65                                 18    17.5               108
     4.4   67                                 15    14.5                91
     6.3   87                                 14    13.5
     5.5   32                                 12      13
     9.3   51
     7.1   43
     2.4   47
     1.9   56                             ============ TOTAL =============
     3.4   18                             Amount       Money      Material
                                          --------------------------------

                                          Used       3209.50       3309.00
                                          Lost         19.98         20.60
                                          % loss        0.62          0.62

                           Kerf =  0.00   CW50-2000   26-Aug-00   09:21 AM

C-U-T-T-I-N-G---S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E -------------------------------------

STOCK LENGTHS   CUTTING DETAILS                26-Aug-00   [OFF-CUTS]
-------------   ---------------                ---------   ----------
Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.                     09:21  AM   Qty.  Len.
(Price  Total)  ----------------------------------------   ----------
     18    33     1 x  9.3  1 x  6.3  1 x  2.4
     18    16     2 x  7.3  1 x  3.4
     18    31     1 x  7.3  1 x  6.3  1 x  4.4
     18    23     1 x  7.1  1 x  6.3  1 x  4.4             23    0.20
     18     4     3 x  5.5                                  4    1.50
     18     1     2 x  5.5  1 x  4.4                        1    2.60
(   17.5  108)

     15    18     1 x  9.3  3 x  1.9
     15    49     2 x  7.5
     15     2     1 x  7.3  1 x  3.4  1 x  2.4  1 x  1.9
     15    12     1 x  7.1  1 x  5.5  1 x  2.4
     15     4     2 x  7.1                                  4    0.80
     15     6     1 x  5.5  2 x  4.4                        6    0.70
(   14.5   91)                                 CW50-2000
-------------   ----------------------------------------   ----------
Total Cost =>      3209.50                     Loss   =>        20.60
Total Loss =>        19.98                     Qty,Kf =>   38    0.00
-------------   ----------------------------------------   ----------

                Approximate saving   ==>  356 US$






Example - 3
-----------

#######################################   A Solution by Cutting Wizard 5.0

Reference  => Timber, Len. in cm, Prices in US$, No balance stocks.

--------------- CUT LIST --------------   ---- STOCK LIST -----  =========
  Length Qty.  Length Qty.  Length Qty.   Length   Price  Stock  Use   Buy
---------------------------------------   ---------------------  ---------
     330   51                                660      46                47
     325   67                                600      42               121
     455   87                                540      38
     186   30                                480      33
     210   72                                420      29                96
     135   66                                360      24                14
     175   88
     145   67
     245   61                             ============ TOTAL =============
                                          Amount       Money      Material
                                          --------------------------------

                                          Used      10364.00     148980.00
                                          Lost         77.87       1120.00
                                          % loss        0.75          0.75

                           Kerf =  0.00   CW50-2000   26-Aug-00   09:39 AM

C-U-T-T-I-N-G---S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E ---------------------

STOCK LENGTHS   CUT-DETAIL     26-Aug-00   [OFF-CUTS]
-------------   ----------     ---------   ----------
Length   Qty.   Qty.x Len.     09:39  AM   Qty.  Len.
(Price  Total)  ------------------------   ----------
    660    25     2 x    330
    660    22     2 x    325               22   10.00
(     46   47)

    600    67     1 x    455  1 x    145
    600    20     1 x    455  1 x    135   20   10.00
    600     1     1 x    330  2 x    135
    600    22     1 x    325  2 x    135   22    5.00
    600     1     1 x    325  1 x    245    1   30.00
    600    10     3 x    186               10   42.00
(     42  121)

    420    60     1 x    245  1 x    175
    420    36     2 x    210
(     29   96)

    360    14     2 x    175               14   10.00
(     24   14)                 CW50-2000
-------------   ------------------------   ----------
Total Cost =>       10364.00   Loss   =>      1120.00
Total Loss =>          77.87   Qty,Kf =>   89    0.00
-------------   ------------------------   ----------

                Approximate saving   ==>   1151 US$



Example - 4
-----------
#######################################   A Solution by Cutting Wizard 5.0

Reference  => Timber, Len. in mm, Prices unknown, No balance stocks.
--------------- CUT LIST --------------   ---- STOCK LIST -----  =========
  Length Qty.  Length Qty.  Length Qty.   Length   Price  Stock  Use   Buy
---------------------------------------   ---------------------  ---------
     725   44                               6000                         2
     730   63                               5400                        45
     440   51                               4800
     630   23                               4000                         3
     555   71                               3600                         1
     935   26                               3000
     710   19
     345   31
     495   51                             ============ TOTAL =============
     545   78                             Amount       Money      Material
                                          --------------------------------

                                          Used                   270600.00
                                          Lost                      125.00
                                          % loss                      0.05

                           Kerf =  0.00   CW50-2000   26-Aug-00   11:15 PM
C-U-T-T-I-N-G---S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E -------------------------------------------

STOCK LENGTHS  CUTTING DETAILS                        26-Aug-00  [OFF-CUTS]
-------------  ---------------                        ---------  ----------
Length   Qty.  Qty.x Len.                             11:15  PM  Qty.  Len.
-------(Total) ------------------------------------------------  ----------
   6000     2    1 x  545  3 x  495  9 x  440                     2   10.00
       (    2)

   5400     5    5 x  935  1 x  725
   5400     1    1 x  935  4 x  730  1 x  555  2 x 495
   5400    11    5 x  730  1 x  710  1 x  545  1 x 495
   5400     1    4 x  730  1 x  725  2 x  630  1 x 495
   5400     6    6 x  725  1 x  555  1 x  495
   5400     1    2 x  725  4 x  710  2 x  555
   5400     1    4 x  710  1 x  630  1 x  555  1 x 495  2 x 440
   5400     2    7 x  630  2 x  495
   5400     1    4 x  630  2 x  555  1 x  545  2 x 440  1 x 345
   5400     1    2 x  630  4 x  555  1 x  545  1 x 495  2 x 440
   5400     5    6 x  555  6 x  345
   5400     5    5 x  555  3 x  545  2 x  495
   5400     5    9 x  545  1 x  495
       (   45)

   4000     1    3 x  545  3 x  495  2 x  440
   4000     2    9 x  440                                         2   40.00
       (    3)

   3600     1    1 x  495  7 x  440                               1   25.00
       (    1)                                        CW50-2000
-------------  ------------------------------------------------  ----------
Total Used =>     270600.00                           Loss   =>      125.00
Total Loss =>        125.00                           Qty,Kf =>   5    0.00
-------------  ------------------------------------------------  ----------

                Approximate saving   ==>   300 Metre timber.


  =========================================================================
                   User manual for "Cutting Wizard 5.0"
  =========================================================================


     ( Some details may not be relevant to the Evaluation version.   )
      --------------------------------------------------------------




                         TABLE  OF  CONTENTS
                         -------------------


                         1.0   An interesting  puzzle

                         2.0   A Wizard to help you

                         3.0   How to use the Wizard

                         3.1   Entering a problem

                         3.2   Finding the solution

                         3.3   Viewing the solution

                         3.4   Printing the solution

                         3.5   Saving a problem

                         3.6   Loading a problem

                         3.7   Entering a new problem

                         3.8   Exit the program

                         4.0   Exploring the solution

                         5.0   Special notes

                         6.0   About the author

                         7.0   History of program development

                         8.0   Distribution













  1.0  An interesting puzzle
       ---------------------

       Consider  the  customers who buy material such as Aluminium,  Steel,
       Iron, Timber etc.   in standard lengths.  They rarely use them as it
       is.  Frequently it is necessary for them to cut the standard lengths
       into number of smaller pieces according to their requirements.

       As you can imagine there would  be many ways of cutting the required
       pieces from standard lengths.   The waste will be different in  each
       instance.    The customer may eagerly wish to know the best possible
       way of cutting which leads to minimum waste of money and material.

       Finding the best solution is  an extremely complex problem.   On the
       other hand there is no known mathematical procedure to calculate it.
       The ideal method would be to consider all possibilities  and  select
       the  best,  which is an enormous task by manual methods.   All other
       methods left would be  to  guess  the  solution  with lot of tedious
       thinking, which is rarely successful.

       If the need is fairly simple ( If the  types  of  different  lengths
       needed  are less than five and the quantity required in each of them
       is quite small.), an intelligent customer may find the best solution
       or something quite  closer  to  that  after  many strenuous hours of
       guessing and mathematical calculations.

       Real situations are far more complex.  Therefore it is not practical
       to try manual methods to find the most economical solution.

       As a result the average  percentage  of  money  and  material  waste
       involved  in  cutting lies in the range of 5 - 15 %. Can you imagine
       the waste occurring daily in the whole world at such rates ?.

       I believe that it should not be so, in this "Age of computers".

       Let us consider a real example  to make it more clear.   Imagine,  a
       user who wants to have some lengths of Aluminium  as  given  in  the
       chart.

       NB  -  Let  us assume that the length unit is Metres and currency is
              US$ The program is independent of units. It can be any linear
              and Currency units.

             .-------------------.
             | Length | Quantity |
             |-------------------|
             |   5.2  |   124    |
             |   4.7  |   301    |
             |   4.3  |    97    |
             |   3.5  |   281    |
             |   2.5  |   180    |
             |   5.5  |    64    |
             |   1.7  |    56    |
              -------------------

       This  problem  may  be  categorized  differently  depending  on  the
       availability of the  standard  lengths.    Possible  cases are given
       below.



       Case 1
       ------

       Only one type of standard length is available in the market for  the
       particular cross section.

             .-----------------------.
             | Type | Length | Price |
             |-----------------------|
             |   A  |  9.0   |   25  |
              -----------------------

       We can find the best solution either,  by minimizing the cost or  by
       minimizing the waste of material.   Both approaches will lead to the
       same unique solution.

       Case 2
       ------

       Several  types  of  standard lengths are available in the market for
       the particular cross-section.

             .-----------------------.
             | Type | Length | Price |
             |-----------------------|
             |   A  |   4.0  | 11.0  |
             |   B  |   6.0  | 17.0  |
             |   C  |   9.0  | 25.0  |
             |   D  |  12.0  | 33.5  |
              -----------------------

       We can try to find the  best  solution either by minimizing the cost
       or by minimizing the waste of material.   Each method will lead to a
       different solution in most instances.

       If the waste of material is zero,  then the two  solutions  will  be
       identical.

       The  customer  would  prefer  to  select  the  most  cost  effective
       solution.

       Case 3
       ------

       In  addition  to the above the customer may have some stocks balance
       stocks in several sizes.

             .--------------------------------.
             | Type | Length | Price |  Stock |
             |--------------------------------|
             |   A  |   4.0  | 11.0  |    3   |
             |   B  |   6.0  | 17.0  |    7   |
             |   C  |   9.0  | 25.0  |    0   |
             |   D  |  12.0  | 33.5  |    5   |
              --------------------------------






       Case 4
       ------

       Customer  is  using  either,  a collection of lengths remaining from
       previous cutting sessions as standard  lengths or,  a very old stock
       of standard lengths.   In both  cases  the  prices  are  not  known.
       Therefore the cost is not applicable here.

             .---------------.
             | Type | Length |
             |---------------|
             |   A  |  6.6   |
             |   B  |  4.2   |
             |   C  |  4.0   |
             |   D  |  3.5   |
             |   E  |  5.5   |
             |   F  |  5.0   |
              ---------------

       We  should  try to find the best solution by minimizing the waste of
       material.  There will be only one unique solution.

       Any requirement  of  a  customer  can  be  grouped  into above three
       categories.   Each time the customer would like  to  know  the  most
       economical solution.

       Now you are aware of the complexity of the possible categories.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

  2.0  A Wizard to help you
       --------------------

       The  "Cutting  Wizard  5.0"  was  designed  to  handle all the above
       mentioned situations satisfactorily.   You  can find the answers for
       all the cases mentioned above,  when you learn to use  the  "Cutting
       Wizard" program.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

  3.0  Using "Cutting Wizard 5.0"
       --------------------------
       --------------------------------------------------------------------

  ***  It  very  important to remember that at a particular session you can
  ***  handle only one particular  type  (Cross  section) of cutting needs.
  ***  This suggests that,  if you have prepared cutting requirements ( Bar
  ***  schedules ) for 10 mm,  12mm and 20 mm,  it is necessary to run  the
  ***  program  three  times  separately  for  each  type with the relevant
  ***  standard lengths and their prices.

       --------------------------------------------------------------------

       When you are using windows  95,   select  Start | Programs | Cutting
       Wizard 5.0 to start the program.   You will see the  starting  logo.
       Click  the " Start " button to continue.   You can also use Alt+S to
       perform the same.

       You will see  a  screen  where  you  can  enter  the  details of the
       STANDARD LENGTHS and the CUTTING LENGTHS to find the most economical
       solution.

       3.1  Entering a problem
            ------------------

            (A)  Entering the details of STANDARD LENGTHS
                 ----------------------------------------

                  Length    Price     Stock
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|  |______|


            You can  enter  up  to  7  different  standard  lengths with or
            without the prices.   Additionally you can  enter  the  balance
            amounts of stock lengths available as well.   If you are having
            surplus amounts  of  all  the  sizes, you need not to fill this
            column.   Use Tab  and Shift+Tab to  move  forward and backward
            among entry boxes.   You can also use the mouse  for  the  same
            purpose.

            If the price for any  length  is  missing  or zero then all the
            other prices will be initialized to zero.   When  you  run  the
            program,   the entries of standard lengths will be displayed on
            the screen according to the descending length order of Standard
            lengths.

            Limits -> Maximum allowed Length is  99999.9
                      Maximum allowed Price  is  99999.9
                      Maximum allowed Stock  is  99999

            (B)  Entering the details of CUTTING LENGTHS.
                 ----------------------------------------

                  Length   Quantity
                  ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|
                  ______    ______
                 |______|  |______|

            This is the area where you should enter your cutting list.

            You can enter  up  to  50  different  lengths with the relevant
            quantities.  You will be informed for any wrong or unacceptable
            entries.

            It is easy to  use  Tab  and  Shift+Tab  to  move  forward  and
            backward among the entry boxes.  You can also use the mouse for
            the same purpose.

            If  any length is larger than all the Standard lengths you will
            be prompted to correct  it.    When  you save the problem,  the
            cutting length  entries  will  be  adjusted  according  to  the
            descending order of cutting lengths.

            Limits ->  Maximum allowed Length   is  99999.9
                       Maximum allowed Quantity is  99999

            (C)  Entering the kerf(width of cut)
                 -------------------------------
            Kerf length can be accurate  up to three decimal places.   This
            facilitates you to  enter  kerf  length  in  millimeters  while
            entering Cut lengths in meters.

       3.2  Finding the solution
            --------------------

            Click the "Find" button to start calculations.

            The program will warn you  if  any  of the following errors are
            present.

            1.  When the maximum of the cutting lengths is longer than  the
                maximum of the standard lengths.

            2.  When  the  quantity  for  a  particular  length is  zero or
                negative.

            The progress bar will indicate the status.  The quantity column
            and the summary details  will  be  updated while the program is
            running.

       3.3  Viewing the solution
            -------------------

            Click  the  "View" button.   This will open the file "solution"
            with the windows "Wordpad".   Use  the  scroll bars to view the
            entire solution.

       3.4  Printing the solution
            ---------------------

            When  you  enter  a  problem and run the program,  a file named
            "solution" containing the solution will  be written to the hard
            disk.

            Click "View" button to see the solution with "Wordpad".   After
            viewing  the  "solution"  you  can  print  it  using  "Wordpad"
            program.

            Preview  the  solution before printing.   Generally you will be
            able to print the "solution" in a single A4 sheet.  If you find
            any difficulty,  you can  try  following,   in the given order,
            before deciding to use a larger size paper.

            * Reduce margins using File, page-setup

            * Reduce font size. (Control-A, Format, Font)

            * Select "Landscape" mode,   printing  "problem"  and  "cutting
              schedule" in two separate sheets.
       3.5  Saving a problem
            ----------------

            Select "Save" button to  save  the  current problem which is on
            the screen. The  extention of saved files is "pro".

       3.6  Loading a problem
            -----------------

            Select "Load" button to load an existing problem which has been
            saved previously.

       3.7  Entering a new problem
            ----------------------

            Select "New" button to clear all the entries of the form and to
            start entering a new problem.

       3.8  Exit the program
            ----------------

            Click the "X" button to end the program.   Remember to save the
            problem under a desired name if necessary.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

  4.0  Exploring the solution
       ----------------------

       Please read the section "Getting Started" for detailed description of
       the solution.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

  5.0  Special Notes
       -------------

       1.  There is no straight method to save a solution as a file under a
           desired name.   This facility is  not included as it is possible
           to run the program and find the solution easily.

           Still,  you can achieve this by the following method.   While in
           the "View" mode Select File | Save as,  and suggest  a  suitable
           name for the solution.

       2.  Every time you exit the program the data of the current  problem
           will be saved under the name "last.pro" for safety.  In case you
           forget  to save an important problem,  still you will be able to
           recover it, until you work on a new problem.

       --------------------------------------------------------------------

  6.0  Author
       ------

       I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession.   Please contact me if you
       require further details about the program.




       Postal address             --->  M. Nimal  Gunarathne
                                        Primesoft Global Solutions
                                        23,  First Lane,
                                        Station  Road,
                                        Homagama,
                                        10200,
                                        Sri Lanka.

       E-mail                     --->  nimalgm@sltnet.lk

       Web site URL               --->  http://www.cw.slt.lk


       The "World thrift day" which  falls  on  31st October reminds us the
       importance of avoiding the waste of money and goods.   In fact as  a
       person  born  on  the  same  day,   I am delighted for being able to
       contribute an utility for application on the same lines.

  7.0  History of program development
       -----------------------------

       The first attempt was made in MSDOS environment in early 1997.   The
       programming Language was "C".   It  was  named as the "BEST CUTTER".
       An evaluation copy of this is available in the "Simtel" network.

       ( http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/engin/bc-07100.zip)
       ( ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/engin/bc-07100.zip )

       The  program fulfilled the basic needs of the customers.   But there
       was a great demand for a Windows based version.  Therefore I started
       writing the "Cutting Wizard" on 31st October 1997.

       Version 1.0  -  Entertained only four standard lengths.

       Version 2.0 -   Entertained  Six  standard  lengths.  Introduced the
                       "Method - B".

       Version 3.0  -  Introduced the more economical "Advanced" option.

       Version 4.0  -  Still More Compact Solutions.

       Version 5.0 -   Added the facility  to entertain  "Kerf"  and  stock
                       balances.  The number of stock entries and number of
                       cut  length  entries  were increased to seven and 50
                       respectively.   All the  running modes were combined
                       for the ease of operation.  More economical advanced
                       algorithms were introduced.   Facility  to  run  the
                       program in background was also introduced.


  8.0  Distribution
       ------------

       Hereby  the  permission   is   given   to  everybody  to  distribute
       CW50-505.ZIP on disks,  BBs or CDs,  provided that it is distributed
       in it's original form.

  *    Microsoft, Windows, MSDOS and Excel are registered trademarks of
       Microsoft  Corporation in the United States and other countries.

