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

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

   The Select Combining Run dialog opens. When you are performing the first combining run for a 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 the total number of bars of the selected length, 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, click 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 link is made to the actual inventory.

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

      Ensure that you have Combined selected in the navigation tree before you save the results. If you are filtered on a particular shape or size, only that specific set of items is saved.

      If you have an item on a cut list, you are also prompted to select if the additional combined items are included or excluded from being cut.

      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.
8. When combining plates, to view a visualization of the parts that are nested into the sheet, select the desired item and click View Nest.
   The TrueShape Nest dialog opens.
   1. To view a nest with items nested on its remnant, click View Nest on Remnant.