Rough mill policies and practices examined by a multiple-criteria goal program called ROMGOP

A rough mill linear programming formulation called OPTIGRAMI (OPTImum GRade MIx) generates an optimal least cost solution. However, it cannot easily reconcile multiple-conflicting, incommensurate goals. In general, a major weakness of linear programming is that its objective function is unidimensional and only one unit measure can be minimized or maximized at a time. In the case of OPTIGRAMI, cost is minimized, but problems arise when planners want to minimize such things as the impact of overcrowding due to excessive work-in-process inventory, customer dissatisfaction due to missed deadlines, and the in-convenience of production interruptions due to lumber expediting to make up for shortfalls. This paper reviews the research leading up to and through rough mill optimization research and then puts forth ROMGOP (ROugh Mill GOal Programming) as an alternative optimizing technique. Even though a less than complete database was used to develop the technique, an example of how goal programming can be used as a rough mill planning tool is presented. To conclude, several rough mill policies are examined from a goal programming perspective to show the potential impact of rough mill planning from a multiple-criteria viewpoint.

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