What is an assembly?
An assembly is a group of materials bundled together as a single item. Instead of individually inputting pipe, then a coupling, then clips, then rod, then nuts and washers -- each from different parts of the database -- you select one assembly and Ensign generates all the component items automatically, with quantities calculated per metre or per unit.
Assemblies are the single biggest time-saver in Ensign. They speed up input, reduce errors, and ensure everyone on your team makes the same allowances. If there are multiple users on the same database, one person creating a well-organised set of assemblies benefits the entire team.
Assemblies are primarily for mechanical and electrical users. The ductwork and insulation platforms achieve the same result through their specification systems (e.g. DW144), which automatically generate supports, flanges, stiffeners, and other components. If you are on those platforms, you effectively create assemblies through the specification process already.
Unit vs linear assemblies
Every assembly has a unit of measure that determines how you enter quantities:
| Type | Measured in | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Linear | Metres | Pipework, cable tray, trunking, conduit, insulation, ductwork |
| Unit | Count | Sockets, switches, radiators, basins, pumps, valve build-ups |
When you input a linear assembly, you tell the software how many metres you have measured. It then calculates the component quantities based on the rates set within the assembly -- for example, one coupling every three metres, or two clips every 1.2 metres.
When you input a unit assembly, you enter a count (e.g. 10 sockets). The software multiplies each component quantity by that count.
Pre-built vs custom assemblies
Ensign ships with a library of pre-built assemblies covering common scenarios. You have three approaches:
| Approach | When to use |
|---|---|
| Use Ensign's assemblies as-is | Good starting point; covers many standard build-ups for pipework, cable tray, sockets, switches, and more |
| Modify an existing Ensign assembly | When Ensign's version is close but needs a tweak -- e.g. changing the cable allowance from 10m to 15m per point, or swapping a pre-made hanger for a built hanger |
| Create your own from scratch | When you have a bespoke build-up or company-specific allowances that do not match anything in the library |
If you are short on ideas for custom assemblies, browse through Ensign's pre-built library to see how they are structured. Look at the categories, the components chosen, and the quantities set. Then create your own variations based on the same logic.
Inputting an assembly
- 1
On the takeoff screen, click Assembly (for Ensign's pre-built assemblies) or Manual Assembly (for custom ones you have created).
- 2
Navigate to the assembly you want using the category, main index, and sub-index. On the electrical platform, categories appear on the left-hand side of the screen (e.g. Cable Management, Socket Switches and Spurs). On the mechanical platform, the category selection is in the same area but laid out slightly differently.
- 3
Select the assembly. If it is a linear assembly, the software expects you to enter metres. If it is a unit assembly, enter a count.
- 4
Enter your quantity and click Confirm. The assembly generates all component items onto the takeoff screen.
Finding assemblies quickly
There are two shortcuts for locating assemblies without navigating through the category tree:
- User assembly code -- if the assembly has been given a quick-reference code (e.g. "AL01"), type it into the search box at the top of the takeoff screen and press Enter. The assembly loads immediately.
- Description search -- type part of the assembly description (e.g. "50mm tray") into the search box. Tick the Assemblies checkbox at the bottom of the search results to filter for assemblies specifically. Both Ensign's assemblies and your custom assemblies appear in the results.
One-off instance quantities
If you enable Allow one-off instances of assemblies in Tools > System Preferences, you can adjust the quantities within an assembly for a single use without permanently changing the assembly itself.
For example, if a socket assembly normally allows 14 metres of cable per point but a particular area requires 20 metres, you can change the cable quantity to 20 when inputting the assembly. The assembly reverts to 14 metres for the next use. This saves you from creating multiple near-identical assemblies for minor variations.
Enable this setting alongside the zero-quantity option to unlock the full power of assemblies. See the dedicated pages on creating assemblies from scratch, copying and modifying assemblies, and quick-pick menus for more detail.
Assemblies and price updates
Items inside assemblies are not snapshots -- they remain linked to the live database. This means:
- Price updates are reflected automatically when you receive new price files.
- Discount changes apply immediately -- if you update the discount for a supplier, every assembly containing that supplier's products benefits.
- Labour time adjustments carry through to the assembly as well.
You do not need to rebuild your assemblies when prices change. The assembly stores the product references and quantity ratios; the actual costs are always looked up from the current database.
Assemblies on the PDF takeoff
All assemblies -- both Ensign's and your own -- are available when using the PDF takeoff system. For linear assemblies, the software can also detect changes of direction and automatically add bends and fittings via associated components. This means you can measure a run of tray or pipe on a drawing once and get the full build-up including supports, couplings, and bends in a single operation.
Assemblies are shared
Assemblies are stored on the database, not per user. When one person creates or modifies an assembly, it is immediately available to every user with access to that database. This ensures consistency across estimates -- everyone makes the same allowances -- and means the setup effort only needs to happen once.