Integrated planning of LCD optical film cutting, inventory, and recycling in multi-period electronics manufacturing

Wang, J.; Fang, C.

Abstract: Optical film cutting is a critical upstream process in LCD and electronics manufacturing, characterized by high material costs, diverse order specifications, and frequent demand fluctuations that complicate production planning. In practice, manufacturers must coordinate cutting methods, manage semi-finished inventory across multiple periods, and handle recyclable waste simultaneously. However, these decisions are often made independently, resulting in excessive material usage, unstable inventory levels, and avoidable waste. This study develops a multi-period optimization framework for LCD optical film cutting that integrates two production routes, namely slitting and miter cutting, with inventory control and waste recycling. The model captures key operational trade-offs, including process selection, timing of intermediate production, and recycling decisions. It first minimizes total costs, incorporating material, processing, inventory, and waste-related costs, and is further extended into a bi-objective formulation that jointly considers operational cost and waste generation. The primary contribution of this research is to provide an integrated decision framework that reflects real production conditions in electronics manufacturing. By linking cutting, inventory, and recycling decisions across multiple periods, the model enables more coordinated planning and improved resource utilization. A case study with large-scale order data shows that the proposed approach can reduce waste, stabilize inventory, and improve the balance between cost efficiency and environmental performance. The analysis also reveals that cutting assignments tend to concentrate around several preferred angle configurations under realistic production conditions, suggesting the existence of practical process preferences and recurring operational patterns in optical film manufacturing. Overall, this study offers a practical planning tool for optical film converting operations and is applicable to other high-value, roll-based materials in precision manufacturing environments where inventory linkage, process flexibility, and recyclable waste are critical considerations.

How to cite this paper

        APA: Wang, J & Fang, C. (2026). Integrated planning of LCD optical film cutting, inventory, and recycling in multi-period electronics manufacturing. International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations, 17(3), 921-942.
    

        Chicago/Turabian: Wang, J & Fang, C. 2026. "Integrated planning of LCD optical film cutting, inventory, and recycling in multi-period electronics manufacturing." International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations 17, no. 3 (2026): 921-942.
    

        AMA: Wang, J & Fang, C. Integrated planning of LCD optical film cutting, inventory, and recycling in multi-period electronics manufacturing. International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations. 2026;17(3):921-942.
    

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