Bin packing is a common optimization problem. A new formulation helps us solve a simple, yet difficult to solve, bin packing model.
We've collated many interesting optimization models in our GitHub repository. The focus is on Excel and Python models.
Why does my model find different solutions? Some solutions are better than others – how can that be true? How do I find the overall best solution?
We run optimization model cases 10 times faster, fully using the parallel capabilities of the CPU cores/threads in a modern computer.
We replicate a wood cutting pattern model from a published academic paper. Surprisingly, we find a better optimal solution.
We describe an example of how to represent price breaks in a linear programming model, built in Excel using Solver or OpenSolver.
The selection of a better fantasy sports team can substantially improve performance. Excel plus OpenSolver can pick an optimal team.
This article series implements a staff scheduling model in Excel using OpenSolver, then in Python using Pyomo.