Combine materials in the Combining module

You can mult and nest materials using the Combine command. You can then save and review the combining results.

In the Select Combining Job dialog box, open a job.
Click the Combining ribbon tab and select Combine.

The Select Combining Run dialog box opens. When you are performing the first combining run for a combining job, the list in the dialog box is empty.
Click a desired combining option to select it.
The options are:
- Mult: Combines linear items, like beams and angles.
- Nest: Combines items that have area, like plates or gratings.
- Mult & Nest: Combines all items.
The Combining Run Filters dialog box opens.
To only combine specific types of materials do the following (Optional):
1. Select a filter type in the Type list and click Select.
  The Filter dialog box opens.
2. Do one of the following depending on the filter type:
  - Click the arrow buttons to move the items that you want to combine to the Included list.
  - Type the maximum and minimum values for the items that you want to combine.
3. Click OK to apply the filter.
  
  You return to the Combining Run Filters dialog box.
To ensure that you are using the correct settings, click the Optimizations, INV Filter, and Suppliers buttons.

You can modify the settings.
To combine the materials, click the button at the bottom of the Combining Run Filters dialog box, or press F4.

Tekla PowerFab combines the materials. After the combining process is finished, the Combining Run Results dialog box opens.

(1) Navigation tree: Result statuses

Combined: The items have been optimized successfully
Not Combined: The items that failed to be optimized
Exception: Items that cannot be optimized, such as comment and buyout lines. These can generally be ignored

(2) Display area: Combining results including each bar or sheet that is required

(3) Bottom area: The items that are combined to the selected item

(4) Summary area: Combining results with waste percentage and total material costs. The material cost represents the pricing of the materials in the pricing database that was used in the combining run.

Tip: You can save the combining run to view it later and compare it with another combining run. To do so, click Save Combining Run at the bottom of the Combining Run Results dialog box. No cut lists are generated when you save the combining run.

To view the results, open the Select Combining Run dialog box by clicking the Combining/Estimating/Production Control ribbon tab and selecting Combine.