It is the scheduling of these machines that is the hard part. Due to limitations on the type of profile each machine can handle, however, I generally need only solve single machine problems. I generally do a production plan once per two week period for each machine. Most types of profile can be made in two to four lengths, though up to ten is possible. Production limitations on each profile length over this planning period.
Most profiles have no limit, but some do.
The cost of using each profile. Order quantities required for this production period. For any type of aluminum, there will be from three to thirty required lengths. You get these lengths by cutting up profiles. For each length, you have a quantity required.