Set-Up > More... > Assembly Manager

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Flashing Assemblies allow you to define roof flashing assembly details and associate them with metal panels to automatically include the correct trim and accessories for specific structural situations using the Assembly Manager. This feature is especially valuable for commercial metal roofing enterprises dealing with hundreds or thousands of variations of panel, flashing and trim combinations using Assembly Groups.

This is done by defining an Assembly Group. It allows you to have the same panel/flashing items used in various configurations as well as define rules for how and when they will be used.

For example, a fastener that is used to install a trim item or bracket on a structure with plywood deck substrate will not be suitable for the same trim or bracket on an open frame structure. By setting up appropriate rules, the software automatically selects the correct fastener for each situation.

These definitions may comprise one or many flashing items as well as a flashing detail graphic saved as a CAD > Sub-figure for illustrating your client proposal. If a graphic is specified, you are prompted to use it when you apply the flashing assembly to your job.

The system operates in two modes: Non-Commercial mode (simplified) and Commercial mode (advanced with Assembly Groups and Rules).

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Important: Commercial mode is turned on/off in Set-Up > Preference Settings > System Preferences. Default is Off.

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In Non-Commercial mode, individual assemblies are stored in the EdgeAss.csv file in the ...\User folder with simplified functionality. The Assembly Manager dialog box has certain functionality disabled in Non-Commercial mode. In Non-Commercial mode, you do not have groups defined and you cannot define rules for application of the assembly. It is simplified in so far as you have an image to illustrate your report; you have all the flashing, accessory and fastener items required to install the assembly and that is the only option.

Note: If selected accessories, flashing or fastener files cannot be found, they display in red as a prompt to ensure data files are in the correct location.

Assembly Groups (described below), Types, Nominal Lengths, PDF File and Rules are all disabled in non-commercial mode. [Modify/New] allows you to modify an existing assembly or add a new assembly.

Selecting [OK] saves away the current assemblies list to the file EdgeAss.CSV in the ...\User folder.

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Commercial mode provides advanced functionality with Assembly Groups and Rules for more complex installations.
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⚠️ Character Limit: Product codes for flashings, fasteners and accessories are limited to 10 characters maximum. No special characters (!,@,#,$,%,&,*) are allowed.
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Alternatively, modify the SgroupLink.csv file manually using the correct product code and Assembly Group index.

PDF File – As well as defining a CAD database/figure being specified to indicate how an assembly is to be installed, a PDF file can be specified for commercial customers. At a later stage in the process, the PDF files can be grouped together and printed en-masse to produce a document set for installation of this specific project. The PDF documents may be any selection of previously created technical specification or installation detail documents.

Rules allow automatic swapping of parts based on project setup decisions. For example, different valley flashings based on gauge and finish:

Placeholder Text: Use symbols like @@ and % in product codes:

Example: VALLEY@@% becomes VALLEY22G when 22 gauge Galvanised panel is selected.

⚠️ The number of placeholder symbols must match the number of characters being replaced. Incorrect matches display in RED similar to above.

If the product code doesn’t match or is incorrect in any way, the Assembly Manager cannot relate it back to your original flashing definitions, then it lets you know by displaying the item in red.

Once the item is correctly defined and displays normally in your list, you must then define the rules to be applied to the placeholder text.

Rules can then be set up similar to the following examples:

Example rules:

‘Value’ is the value of the gauge or finish selected for the panel. ‘Replacement Value‘ is the value that replaced your placeholder text in the product code in the Assembly manager setup dialog, such as @@ or %, e.g. Value = Galvalume Plus, Replacement Value = G or Value = CF45, Replacement Value = CF.
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There is no practical limit to the number of rules that you can set. This makes for a very powerful tool to manage even the most complex roof and wall trim systems automatically.

Set up to five specific rules per component based on:

Rules can be combined with AND/OR logic applied left to right.

This allows you to set a very specific selection of items based on Gauge, Finish, Substrate, System and Coverage. It also allows you to AND and OR these rules together. The ANDs and ORs are applied left to right.

So, if you want (A OR B) AND C you would simply put A OR B AND C. But, if you want A OR (B AND C), you’d need to test these first 2, such as B AND C OR A.

The rules for Assembly Groups are stored in a file called AssRuleValues.dat and is in the form of:

For different structural options (such as open frame, metal deck, ply deck for example), assemblies automatically select appropriate components:

For each assembly type any flashing, accessory or fastener item described by its product code can be added and then you define whether it is always included or included based on a defined rule.
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The two flashing items highlighted above are similar, but one is used when the panel is ACG and the other when the panel is PVDF based on the rule IF Finish is ACG use part 5700241 and IF Finish = PCDF use part 58002; and so on for all other parts that make up this Flashing Assembly based on the rules for finish, gauge (if appropriate), substrate etc as defined. Note that the part 6403899 – Double Bead Tape Sealant is Always used – no need for a rule.

Different panel configurations generate different component lists automatically.

[1] – The Assembly Group name.

[2] – The flashing assembly for the specific Ridge or Hip condition

[3] – the reference to the PDF document that illustrates this Assembly Group.

[4] – The Product Code Rules.
Select the Include by Product Code Rules button and then define the rule based on predefined variables for Gauge or Finish.

Define additional rules for when an item is included or not.

Select the Include by Rule cell and then define the rule based on predefined variables for Gauge, Finish, Substrate or System.

The rule statement is displayed eg [IF Gauge = 24] in the Rule column.

Once the Assembly is defined, select [OK] and the setup is saved to a binary database file (a DB file eg ’16″_Vertical_Seam.db’ ) to ensure quick access by the software when building the material list for your project.

[5] – The exact flashing and accessory items with rules for each item.

Using this definition, we can apply it to our roof model with Vertical Seam 16″ panel,
and generate the flashing cutting lists and for -

Vertical Seam (Str) 16” 22.0Ga. ACG Open Framing – we get this list:

For Vertical Seam (Str) 16” 22.0Ga. PVDF Open Framing, we get this list:

While the description of some parts may be the same or even just similar, the part numbers or product codes are unique to that part for that purpose. So you can see from this that any combination or permutation of flashing and accessories can be combined with any panel.

These are very powerful tools, but considerable effort to set up. Once done however, it is then simply a matter of maintenance.

Import assembly data from external databases or ERP systems:

Importing the assembly data from external databases, inventory or ERP systems is also possible. To achieve this, you must export the data into a CSV file that you can review in MS Excel. It may be exported from such systems using an MS Excel macro or special utility but MUST be in the correct format as shown here:

To access the import utility to import the data you have created, turn on the right-hand menu – Menu On from the Pulldown. Select Set-Up from the main menu on the right and you will get the following dialog box.

Select the [Create-Assembly-Databases] option.

A standard Windows Explorer dialog box is displayed where you can select the previous saved data file. You will be prompted to create the AssemblyGroups.

Confirm as prompted and all the assembly groups with the flashing and accessory data will be automatically created saving hours and hours of time doing it manually, one line at a time.

The assembly type comes from one of the following values for the Assembly Type column in the Assembly_Definitions.CSV file.

Assembly Type Values for CSV import:

💡 Tip: Start with simple examples and test thoroughly before setting up your entire product list start with a couple of simple examples and test each setup on your "standard test job". This will be one you are very familiar with to ensure that you have done it correctly before you launch yourself at the entire product list in your company. Your "standard test job" should be roof geometry that is as simple as you can make it that includes all the most usual features you see on a roof. If the result is correct on this job, then it will be correct on a full-blown job.

⚠️ Note: Assembly data files are stored in the .../User folder. While CSV files can be edited in spreadsheet programs, it's recommended to use the software dialogs for editing.