Planning rule: every processor needs an input buffer, separate output paths and a safe overflow that cannot block the previous module.
Divide the factory into zones
Keep extraction, wet processing, dry processing, thermal work, fluids and final storage visually separate. A short connector between clear modules is easier to diagnose than one continuous mixed-material river.
- Extraction: receives raw terrain materials and removes obvious contamination.
- Preparation: wets, dries, heats or cools resources.
- Processing: Shakers, Kinetic Presses, Planter Boxes and later machines.
- Storage: separate capacity for products and by-products.
- Utilities: Water, Steam, heat and Energy networks.
Move solids deliberately
Conveyor Belts move solids horizontally. Launchers move them vertically or diagonally and eject from the high point. Test launch direction and landing height with a tiny batch before connecting the mine.
Basic Filters sort one solid resource with Allow or Block logic. Arrange filters while the stream is thin; filters do not rescue a deep, compacted pile as reliably as an evenly fed line.
Treat overflow as a normal state
Output will eventually fill. Add a bypass or return loop so excess material travels to a visible holding area instead of pushing backward into the processor. Make that area accessible with the Grabber for manual recovery.
- Every by-product has dedicated capacity.
- Each module can stop receiving input.
- Overflow stays visible and reachable.
- A full Collector cannot block non-Gold materials.
- Return loops do not mix processed and unprocessed inputs.
Separate fluid networks
Pumps, Pipes and Liquid Vents can move fluids other than Lava. Although a pipe can carry multiple fluid types, a Vent cannot choose which one exits. Use a dedicated network per fluid and leave vertical clearance around Steam routes.
Keep open Water away from raw Sand and Seed storage. For central supply, build a reservoir first and send only the required amount to each processing module.
Isolate heat
Thermal reactions can convert materials across solid, liquid and gas states. Place Lava burners, Steam chambers and storage on boundaries rather than in the middle of logistics. A hot zone should have a controlled feed, contained reaction space and clear output.
Make expansion boring
Leave one module-width of empty space near high-throughput systems. Duplicate a known working module using selection and copy/paste shortcuts, then connect it to a larger input and output backbone. Upgrade Logistics to Mk.2 only after the downstream processor can accept the higher rate.
Five-minute factory audit
- Pause or disconnect the main input.
- Trace every material to its final storage.
- Inspect the back of each processor for hidden buildup.
- Check Water for corner leaks and accidental absorption.
- Restart at low volume and watch one full cycle.
Official sources
Official Beginner's Guide · Official Wiki index · Official Steam overview