Thanks both for the input. I looked into the XYPanel and I did not know that components can be given a width as well. In the documentation of the XYPanel only x and y are mentioned:
Arguments to add_component:
** x: How far across the component is from the left-hand edge*
** y: How far down the component is from the top edge*
By specifying a width I can solve my problem.
Perhaps docs ‘width’ can be added to the docu?