Setting Up Associated Components

What are associated components?

If you use the Ensign X (PDF takeoff) platform, you can attach associated components to a linear assembly. These tell the software to automatically detect changes of direction when you trace a run on a drawing, and to add the correct fittings — such as 90-degree and 45-degree bends — without you having to count them manually.

This saves significant time compared to counting bends separately, and ensures the correct fitting is always matched to the correct size and specification of the main run.

Setting up associated components

1. 1

   On the assembly builder screen (accessed when creating or amending an assembly), press the Associated Components button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

2. 2

   On the associated components screen, press Add Item at the top. This opens the database via the advanced search method, showing all manufacturers in a single list.

3. 3

   Navigate to the manufacturer and product range you need. For example, if you are building a LeGrand Swift tray assembly, navigate to LeGrand, then to the Swift tray fittings range, and find the 90-degree flat bend in the correct size (e.g. 50mm pre-galv).

4. 4

   Double-click the item to add it to the associated components list.

5. 5

   Set the mapping to tell the system what the item represents. Select 90-degree bend from the mapping options. This instructs the software to insert this fitting each time it detects a 90-degree change of direction on the drawing.

6. 6

   Set the quantity to 1 — one fitting per detected change of direction.

7. 7

   Repeat for other fittings. Press Add Item again, find the 45-degree bend in the same range and size, map it to 45-degree bend, and set the quantity to 1.

8. 8

   Press Save & Exit to return to the assembly builder screen. The associated components are now stored with the assembly.

How associated components work in practice

When you use the assembly on the PDF takeoff and trace a cable tray run across a drawing, the software analyses the path for changes of direction:

• At each 90-degree turn, it adds the mapped 90-degree bend fitting.
• At each 45-degree turn, it adds the mapped 45-degree bend fitting.

The fittings are counted automatically and added to the takeoff alongside the linear quantities. When you export the data to the estimating module, all the bends and fittings are included without any additional work from you.

Creative uses for associated components

Associated components are not limited to standard bends. You can use the mapping creatively for any scenario where you need an extra item at each change of direction:

Basket tray supports

Basket tray does not have pre-formed bends (it is cut and shaped to fit on site), but you may need an additional support or overhead hanger at every change of direction. You can map a support bracket or hanger as the "bend" component. Each time the PDF takeoff detects a direction change, it adds the extra support at that point.

Additional fixings at corners

If your specification calls for additional fixings or bracing at bends, you can map those items as associated components so they are automatically counted. For example, if each change of direction requires an extra pair of brackets, map those brackets as associated components.

The key principle

The associated component mapping triggers on changes of direction detected during PDF takeoff. Think about what you need at those points and map accordingly — it does not have to be a traditional bend fitting.

Updating pre-built Swift assemblies

If your Ensign pre-built Swift tray assemblies (found under Cable Management > Miscellaneous) do not have associated components set up, this is likely because the feature was introduced after your database was first configured. You do not need to set them up manually.

Adding associated components via Excel

If you need to add associated components to many assemblies at once, consider using the Excel import/export method rather than configuring each assembly individually through the builder screen. See Assembly Import and Export for details on the H/C/A row format and how to add A rows for associated components in bulk.