Abstract:
The fabric cutting process acts as the second major cost contributor of the apparel manufacturing process due
to the high expenditure on marker making, fabric spreading and cutting, which is about 5-10% of the total
manufacturing cost. Researchers highlight that an effective cut order plan results in reducing the
abovementioned cost factors of cutting process, thereby reducing the entire manufacturing cost, to a greater
extent. This study aims on optimizing the cut order plan solutions using Genetic Algorithm (GA) principles.
Optimization algorithm was proposed based on GA principles and the computer-based program was
introduced to execute the algorithm, under MATLAB environment. The performance of proposed algorithm
was then compared with respect to the available methodologies of generating cut-order plans available in Sri
Lankan Apparel industry.
