Mathematical Optimization & Solvers

Solve linear programming (LP), mixed-integer programming (MIP), and quadratic optimization problems in Excel with SciPy and HiGHS.

Standard Excel Solver imposes problem-size limits (such as a 200-variable ceiling) and runs only on desktop platforms. Real-world planning, blending, and resource allocation problems frequently exceed these constraints.

Boardflare provides modern, high-performance mathematical solvers (scipy.optimize and HiGHS) that run across every Excel surface—including Excel on Mac, Teams, and Excel for the web.

Problem Formulations

  • Blending & Recipe Optimization: Formulate linear programs (LP) that minimize material costs while satisfying chemical, nutritional, or technical constraints.
  • Production & Machine Scheduling: Mixed-integer programs (MIP) to schedule manufacturing lines subject to capacity, changeovers, and shift constraints.
  • Transportation & Logistics: Optimize network flow and distribution costs across warehouses and distribution hubs.
  • Diet & Nutrient Formulation: Compute minimum-cost food or feed blends satisfying detailed micronutrient and macronutrient bounds.

Available Templates

Free
Alloy Blending
Choose which whole steel ingots to buy and how many tonnes of alloy and scrap to blend, so the batch meets its carbon and molybdenum targets at the lowest cost. Edit the Model sheet to test other ingots, prices or targets.

Free
Capital Budgeting Optimization
Maximize total portfolio return by selecting candidate capital investment projects subject to multiple resource and budget constraints.

Free
Cutting Stock Optimization
Cut stock rolls into the ordered widths using the fewest rolls. Enter the roll length and the order on the Model sheet; Python lists the cutting patterns and finds the best mix.

Free
Diet Optimization
Find the cheapest combination of foods that satisfies daily nutrient requirements, framed in physical purchase units of sale.

Free
Feed Ration Optimization
Formulate a least-cost feed blend that meets energy, protein, and amino acid requirements. Edit ingredient costs, nutrient analyses, and diet constraints on the Model sheet.

Free
Fuel Blending Optimization
Optimize refinery gasoline blending by allocating available blend stocks between Regular and Premium products to maximize daily profit while meeting octane, vapor pressure, and benzene limits.

Free
Optimization Starter
Find the most profitable product mix under resource limits and market demand constraints.

Free
Production Planning Optimization
Choose how many boats to build in regular time and in overtime each quarter, and how many to hold in stock, so every quarter's demand is met at the lowest total cost. Change the quarterly data and read the plan, the limits that bind, and the computed value of extra capacity.

Free
Shift Scheduling
Optimize 5-days-on / 2-days-off cyclic shift patterns to meet daily staffing requirements at minimum headcount and payroll cost.

Free
Task Assignment Optimization
Assign each task to one worker at the lowest total cost with each worker taking at most one task.

Free
Transportation Planning
Optimize freight shipments from canning plants to regional distribution centers at minimum total cost within plant capacity and market demand.
No matching items