How to convert some numbers in to the most efficient ratio

Hi All

Need some help with the below please, not sure if this can even be done in Excel.

I am trying create a lay marker to cut some fabric which will be used to produce garments. I know the quantity that I need in each size but I need to work out what the most efficient cutting ratio would be. We normally lay the fabric in a number of plys which are dictated by the ratio, if the ratio does not work out very efficient we sometimes create 2 lay markers for 1 order with a varying number of plys. This process is time consuming and I wondered if it is possible to create a formula where I can just enter the quantity required and the best cut ratio is calculated for me.

I have attached an example of what I am trying to achieve untitled.JPG

I don't think I have explained it every well but I have tried to get my point across.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sha

It'd be helpful if you could post a sample file with before and after of what you're hoping to accomplish.

Hi

Thanks for your quick reply.

Please see attached sample file ratio.xlsx

Sorry, but this doesn't help provide info on what the sizes equate to or what you mean by "cut ratio 1" or "cut ratio 2"

I know its a bit difficult for me to explain clearly.

Quantity Needed: How many garments to cut per size

Cut Ratio: How many blocks of each size to plot on my lay marker (Each block will give the quantity of 1xnumber of plys)

So what I have done on the example is taken this as 72ply lay as this is the number of garments required for size 6, I then dived all of the other quantities by 72 which has given me the ratio for the number of block that I need to plot on the lay marker to get as close to the quantity needed.

The reason for doing 2 cut ratio's is to reduce wastage as the quantity needed is much less than the 72plys laid using cut ratio 1

I hope this help a little more

Will you always be using a 72ply lay? Or will that number change?

That number will change depending on what number of ply works best for the quantity required.

For example if I required the following qty
size8=10 size10=20 size12=20 size14=10

I would do 20plys allowing 0.5blocks for sizes 8&14 and 1 block each for sizes 10&12

Well obviously you could do 1ply and have zero waste. Are there any constraints on the use of the lay marker?