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

1. In the Select Production Control Job dialog, open a job.
2. Click the Production Control ribbon tab and select Combine

   The Select Combining Run dialog opens. When you are performing the first combining run for a combining job, the list in the dialog is empty.

3. 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 opens.

4. 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 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.

5. To ensure that you are using the correct settings, click the Optimizations, INV Filter, and Suppliers buttons.

   You can modify the settings.

6. To combine the materials, click the button at the bottom of the Combining Run Filters dialog, or press F4.

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

7. To save the combining run Save Combining Run at the bottom of the Combining Run Results dialog.

   When you save the combining run, you can view it later and compare it with another combining run. No cut lists are generated.

   1. To save the combined pieces to a requisition or purchase order, click Save Displayed Results & Close.

      The Select dialog opens.

   2. To save the results, click either Requisitions or Purchase Orders.

      The Select Requisition/Select Purchase Order dialog opens.

   3. Select the desired option and click OK.

      The results are saved in the selected requisition or purchase order.

      The Import Items dialog opens.

   4. Select Open Purchase Order or Open Requisition to open the requisition or purchase order.