Linear Cutting Optimizer for Bars, Pipes & Timber
Create efficient cut patterns for bars, pipes, profiles, rods and timber with kerf-aware optimization.
Example: cutting 6000 mm stock with 3 mm kerf
For four 1200 mm pieces, six 850 mm pieces and eight 430 mm pieces, PackMize uses 3 stock lengths of 6000 mm. Useful finished lengths total 13,340 mm, giving 74.1% material utilization. The default includes between-piece kerf and final offcut separation. End trim and a reusable-offcut threshold can be entered separately.
Move from one cut list to repeatable project work.
The standard optimizer stays free. Use the workspace for reusable product data, projects, saved results and professional operational context.
How the linear optimizer works
PackMize expands the requested quantities into individual cuts, compares several deterministic first-fit and best-fit orders, and for smaller instances also attempts an exact branch-and-bound search. Kerf is reserved between pieces and at the final offcut separation unless the explicit legacy policy is selected. End trim and offcuts are reported separately.
Use cases
The same one-dimensional model applies to timber, aluminium profiles, steel bars, cable trays, pipes, rods and other stock where only length matters. Machine-specific allowances and end trims must be represented explicitly in the inputs or handled separately.
Frequently asked questions
What materials can the linear cutting optimizer handle?
Any one-dimensional stock measured by length, including bars, pipes, timber, rods and profiles, provided cutting constraints can be represented by stock length and kerf.
How is kerf handled?
Kerf is included between pieces and, by default, at the final cut separating an offcut. Loss is clipped at the stock edge. An explicit legacy mode counts between-piece kerf only.
Does it guarantee the mathematically minimum number of stock lengths?
For smaller problems PackMize can run an exact deterministic branch-and-bound search. It shows PROVEN OPTIMAL only when a mathematical lower bound is reached or the exact search proves no better packing exists. Larger problems remain explicitly labelled BEST SOLUTION FOUND.
Can I optimize timber, aluminium profiles or steel bars?
Yes, when the job is represented by one stock length, required cut lengths and quantities. Enter saw kerf and end trim; check machine clamping and finishing allowances separately.
What if there is not enough stock available?
The result reports the stock lengths needed for the complete list and shows which cuts fit in the quantity you have. The remaining-cuts count identifies the shortage.