A Note on the Two-Dimensional Rectangular Cutting-Stock Problem

The concept of orthogonality in the Two-Dimensional Rectangular Cutting-Stock Problem is introduced. None of the published approaches for solving this problem permit non-orthogonal cutting patterns. An example is given to show that this may prevent the optimal cutting pattern from being obtained. The application of orthogonality to the problem of obtaining the minimum area rectangular enclosure of a number of rectangles is also discussed.