Auto Flute
Configure automatic flute calculations based on production material and size requirements for Print CAD standards.
The Auto Flute tab configures automatic flute type selection for corrugated packaging standards. Flute type (A, B, C, E, F, etc.) determines the thickness and rigidity of corrugated board — the right flute depends on the production size of the packaging. Auto Flute uses area-based ranges to automatically select the appropriate flute for any given set of parameter values.
Access Auto Flute
- Open any standard from the Custom Libraries list.
- Select the Auto Flute tab in the edit form.
Configuration
Mode
The Mode dropdown at the top of the tab controls how auto flute behaves:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Visible | The flute selection is shown to customers and automatically set based on the configured ranges. Customers see which flute is selected but cannot override it. |
| Visible Custom | The flute selection is shown to customers and they can override the automatic selection with a manual choice. |
| Hidden | Flute selection happens automatically behind the scenes. Customers do not see the flute type — it is determined entirely by the area ranges. |
| Disabled | Auto flute is turned off for this standard. No automatic flute selection occurs. |
Formula
A text input for the area calculation formula. This formula computes the production area used to determine which range applies. Typically uses parameter variables (e.g., W * L for width times length) to calculate the area in square units matching the standard's unit setting.
Ranges Grid
The grid defines area-based thresholds that map to flute types.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Min. Area | Minimum production area (inclusive) for this range. The area is calculated from the formula above. |
| Max. Area | Maximum production area (inclusive) for this range. Ranges must not overlap. |
| Flute Integration | The flute type identifier assigned when the calculated area falls within this range (e.g., "B Flute", "C Flute", "E Flute"). This value is passed to the pricing and production systems. |
| Action | Edit and Delete buttons. |
Add or Edit a Range
Click Add Range in the toolbar or Edit on an existing row to open the range dialog.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Min. Area | Minimum area value. Required. Validated against existing ranges to prevent overlap. |
| Max. Area | Maximum area value. Required. Must be greater than the minimum. Validated against existing ranges to prevent overlap. |
| Flute Integration | Flute type identifier for this range. This string is used in pricing lookups and passed to production systems. |
Associations
Print Store
| Area | Effect |
|---|---|
| Flute selection | The auto flute configuration is stored in ParametricConfiguration.AutoFluting as JSON. The storefront reads the mode, formula, and ranges to automatically determine the flute type based on the customer's parameter values. |
| Pricing | The selected flute type feeds into the pricing calculator as a material variant. Different flute types have different material costs, so the auto flute selection directly affects the quoted price. |
Enterprise API
| Area | Effect |
|---|---|
| Order items (v2) | The material and board values in the API response reflect the auto flute selection. External production systems use this to determine the correct corrugated board specification for manufacturing. |
Related Pages
- Parameters — Define the variables referenced in the auto flute area formula
- Options — Configure related cost and production settings for the standard
- Rules — Add validation logic that complements flute-based restrictions