Difference between revisions of "Conveyor Mechanics"

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(→‎Conveyor blocks: - adjusted a bit of grammar)
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[[File:ConveyorNetwork02.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Example of a conveyor network between multiple inventories]]
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[[File:ConveyorNetworkExample.png|right|thumb|400px|Example of a conveyor network between multiple inventories]]
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[[File:ConveyorNetwork05.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Example of a conveyor network between multiple inventories]]
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[[File:Medium_Cargo_Container.png|right|thumb|400px|Example of a medium cargo container, showing the large and small conveyor ports]]
 
== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
 
The conveyor network by definition, is the act of transferring of items between devices within the game. This can be achieved by either connecting devices next to each other through conveyor ports, or through the use of conveyor blocks.
 
The conveyor network by definition, is the act of transferring of items between devices within the game. This can be achieved by either connecting devices next to each other through conveyor ports, or through the use of conveyor blocks.
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=== Control ===
 
=== Control ===
  
−
Currently, as of [[Update_01.046|Update 01.046]], it is not possible to determine where the conveyor network stores or deposits items. Although the player may manage inventories manually at their leisure, they however cannot control which inventories the network should pull from, where to store them, etc.
+
Currently, as of [[Update 01.073|Update 01.073]], it is possible to determine where the conveyor network stores or deposits items through the use of [[Conveyor Sorter]] blocks. With these, the player may control which inventories the network should pull from, where to store them, etc. Additionally, the player can make manual transfers over the conveyor network and can toggle whether or not certain blocks are connected to the network. [[File:Use_Conveyor_System.png|none|thumb|175px]]
−
The only amount of control a player has over the network is by switching '''off''' its link to the conveyor network. [[File:ConveyorNetwork01.jpg|none|thumb|175px]]
 
 
However, it should be noted that this toggle '''is not available for all devices''' such as cargo containers.
 
However, it should be noted that this toggle '''is not available for all devices''' such as cargo containers.
  
 
== Mechanics ==
 
== Mechanics ==
−
Quoted from [[George Mamakos]].<ref>Forum thread: [http://forums.keenswh.com/post?id=6877337 Explanation of pull & push principles in conveyor system] Retrieved 9/4/2014</Ref>
+
Quoted from George Mamakos.<ref>Forum thread: [https://forum.keenswh.com/threads/explanation-of-pull-push-principles-in-conveyor-system.6877337/ Explanation of pull & push principles in conveyor system] <s>http://forums.keenswh.com/post?id=6877337</s> Retrieved 9/4/2014. Url moved in August 2020.</Ref>
 
----
 
----
 
This text is purely illustrational and cannot be taken for a design document or hard-coded rules that won't ever change. On the contrary - as we keep working on the game and making it better, a lot of the information here might become obsolete.   
 
This text is purely illustrational and cannot be taken for a design document or hard-coded rules that won't ever change. On the contrary - as we keep working on the game and making it better, a lot of the information here might become obsolete.   
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*Ship drill & ship grinder:
 
*Ship drill & ship grinder:
 
  - Send push requests for all of their contents
 
  - Send push requests for all of their contents
 +
 +
=== Power Usage ===
 +
Conveyors use 20 Watts (20 W) for every interface in use, both for Large Grids and Small Grids. This means for a [[Curved_Conveyor_Tube|Curved Conveyor Tube]], and a [[Conveyor_Tube|Conveyor Tube]], when both ends are connected the tube piece will draw 40 W - 20 W for each end. When connecting to a [[Conveyor|Conveyor]] or a [[Small_Conveyor|Small Conveyor]], it will use 20 W for each connected face - at minimum 20 W (because Conveyors are considered an "end", and will terminate a conveyor line), but as much as 120 W when all six sides are connected.
 +
 +
There is no way to turn off this requirement - conveyors always require power. Turning off the "Use Conveyor System" on anything attached to the conveyor network does not affect this power requirement (eg [[Arc_Furnace|Arc Furnace]], [[Refinery]], [[Oxygen_Generator|Oxygen  Generator]], etc). For all the examples just mentioned (except the Arc Furnace), each item has four Conveyor ports on it, so each can consume between 20 and 80 W of power via the Conveyor system - depending on how many ports are hooked up and functioning.
 +
 +
Any conveyor system (Tubes and Curved Tubes) which is not properly terminated (the conveyor tube lights are red), it will not consume any power until it is properly hooked up.
  
 
== Conveyor blocks ==
 
== Conveyor blocks ==
−
The conveyor blocks are more or less "pipes" that can be placed between devices when direct connections are impossible. In other words, conveyors are pipeline blocks the player can place to connect it to another device. The style in which players place the conveyors is completely up to them. The only requirement needed to establish a connection is by having two inventories on either end of the network.
+
The conveyor blocks are more or less "pipes" that can be placed between devices when direct connections are impossible. In other words, conveyors are pipeline blocks the player can place to connect one inventory to another. The style in which players place the conveyors is completely up to them. The only requirement needed to establish a connection is by having two inventories on either end of the network.
  
 
=== List of conveyor blocks ===
 
=== List of conveyor blocks ===
 
The blocks listed below only function as conveyor and have no other purpose.
 
The blocks listed below only function as conveyor and have no other purpose.
  
−
==== Large Ship/Station ====
+
==== Large Conveyors ====
 
:*[[Conveyor]]
 
:*[[Conveyor]]
 
:*[[Conveyor Tube]]
 
:*[[Conveyor Tube]]
 
:*[[Curved Conveyor Tube]]
 
:*[[Curved Conveyor Tube]]
−
==== Small Ship ====
+
:*[[Conveyor Frame]] - (Only usable on small ships)
−
:*[[Conveyor Frame]]
+
 
−
:*[[Small Conveyor]]
+
==== Small Conveyors ====
−
:*[[Small Conveyor Tube]]
+
:*[[Small Conveyor]] - (Only usable on small ships)
−
:*[[Small Curved Conveyor Tube]]
+
:*[[Small Conveyor Tube]] - (Only usable on small ships)
 +
:*[[Small Curved Conveyor Tube]] - (Only usable on small ships)
  
 
== Conveyor ports ==
 
== Conveyor ports ==
 
Conveyor ports are the input/output slots that conveyors and/or other devices may connect to in order to allow items to be transferred to another inventory.
 
Conveyor ports are the input/output slots that conveyors and/or other devices may connect to in order to allow items to be transferred to another inventory.
 +
 
=== Small port ===
 
=== Small port ===
 
Small conveyor ports are small, and do not allow objects larger than the ports themselves through.
 
Small conveyor ports are small, and do not allow objects larger than the ports themselves through.
 
[[File:ConveyorNetwork03.jpg|none|thumb|175px]]
 
[[File:ConveyorNetwork03.jpg|none|thumb|175px]]
 +
 
==== Items that can transfer through small ports ====
 
==== Items that can transfer through small ports ====
−
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
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Any item whose [[Property:Size|Size]] does not exceed 0.25&thinsp;m in any direction:<ref><code>Sandbox.Game.dll</code> <code>Sandbox.Game.GameSystems.MyGridConveyorSystem.NeedsLargeTube(MyDefinitionId)</code> Dated 2020-07-02</Ref>
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*[[25x184mm NATO Ammo Container]]
+
 
−
*[[5.56x45mm NATO Magazine]]
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{{#vardefine:iconsize|small}}<!--
−
*[[Computer]]
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-->{{#ask: [[Concept:PhysicalItem]]
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*[[Construction Component]]
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| format=template
−
*[[Explosives]]
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| link=none
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*[[Motor]]
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| limit=300
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*[[Reactor Components]]
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| template=Itemlink/FilterSmallConveyor
−
*[[Thrust Components|Thruster Components]]
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| introtemplate=Itemlink/intro
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*[[Cobalt Ingot]]
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}}{{#vardefine:first|1}}
−
*[[Gold Ingot]]
+
 
−
*[[Gravel]]
 
−
*[[iron Ingot]]
 
−
*[[Magnesium Powder]]
 
−
*[[Nickel Ingot]]
 
−
*[[Platinum Ingot]]
 
−
*[[Silicon Wafer]]
 
−
*[[Silver Ingot]]
 
−
*[[Uranium Ingot]]
 
−
*[[Stone Ore]]
 
−
*[[Iron Ore]]
 
−
*[[Nickel Ore]]
 
−
*[[Cobalt Ore]]
 
−
*[[Magnesium Ore]]
 
−
*[[Silicon Ore]]
 
−
*[[Silver Ore]]
 
−
*[[Gold Ore]]
 
−
*[[Platinum Ore]]
 
−
*[[Uranium Ore]]
 
−
</div>
 
 
==== Small to Large port Incompatibilities ====
 
==== Small to Large port Incompatibilities ====
 
Players should be aware when using the conveyors that small ports & large are not compatible! You can not fit a smaller conveyor into a larger port, and a large into small port.
 
Players should be aware when using the conveyors that small ports & large are not compatible! You can not fit a smaller conveyor into a larger port, and a large into small port.
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Large ports are larger in size, and '''can allow all item types''' to transfer through them.
 
Large ports are larger in size, and '''can allow all item types''' to transfer through them.
 
[[File:ConveyorNetwork04.jpg|none|thumb|175px]]
 
[[File:ConveyorNetwork04.jpg|none|thumb|175px]]
 +
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
−
{| width "100%"
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
|
+
|[[File:ConveyorNetwork15.jpg|none|thumb|250px]]
−
[[File:ConveyorNetwork15.jpg|none|thumb|275px]]
+
|[[File:ConveyorNetwork12.jpg|none|thumb|250px]]
−
|
+
|-
−
[[File:ConveyorNetwork12.jpg|none|thumb|275px]]
+
|[[File:ConveyorNetwork13.jpg|none|thumb|250px]]
−
|
+
|[[File:ConveyorNetwork14.jpg|none|thumb|250px]]
−
[[File:ConveyorNetwork13.jpg|none|thumb|275px]]
+
|-
−
|
+
|[[File:ConveyorNetwork11.jpg|none|thumb|250px]]
−
[[File:ConveyorNetwork14.jpg|none|thumb|275px]]
 
−
|
 
−
[[File:ConveyorNetwork11.jpg|none|thumb|275px]]
 
 
|
 
|
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 
<!-- Will return at a later point to add more content and make more corrections -->
 
<!-- Will return at a later point to add more content and make more corrections -->
 +
 +
[[Category:Game Mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 18:49, 11 April 2022

Example of a conveyor network between multiple inventories
Example of a medium cargo container, showing the large and small conveyor ports

Introduction

The conveyor network by definition, is the act of transferring of items between devices within the game. This can be achieved by either connecting devices next to each other through conveyor ports, or through the use of conveyor blocks.

Control

Currently, as of Update 01.073, it is possible to determine where the conveyor network stores or deposits items through the use of Conveyor Sorter blocks. With these, the player may control which inventories the network should pull from, where to store them, etc. Additionally, the player can make manual transfers over the conveyor network and can toggle whether or not certain blocks are connected to the network.
Use Conveyor System.png

However, it should be noted that this toggle is not available for all devices such as cargo containers.

Mechanics

Quoted from George Mamakos.[1]

This text is purely illustrational and cannot be taken for a design document or hard-coded rules that won't ever change. On the contrary - as we keep working on the game and making it better, a lot of the information here might become obsolete.

Conveyor Push-n-Pull principles

Some of the blocks (e.g. assembler, turrets, etc.) that can be connected to the conveyor system can automatically "push" or "pull" items to/from the conveyors. This works as follows:

  1. If the block is set to use the conveyor system, it checks certain conditions when it is necessary (which are different for each block type) that say whether it should send a push/pull request.
  2. If the conditions for the request are met, the block finds another block with inventory that can satisfy the request.

Push Request

  1. If the block sends a push request, it finds a suitable remote inventory, which has the CanReceive flag set. Once the inventory is found, the request is fulfilled by sending the requested items to the remote inventory.
  2. If the remote inventory does not have enough free space, only a part of the request is fulfilled and the request continues by searching for another remote inventory.

Pull Request

  1. If the block sends a pull request, it finds a remote inventory with the CanSend flag set. The remote inventory also has to contain the desired items.
  2. If these conditions are met, the request is fulfilled by transferring the items from the remote inventory.

Inventories with CanSend flag

  • Cargo container inventories
  • Assembler output inventory
  • Refinery output inventory
  • Ship drill inventory
  • Ship grinder inventory
  • Collector inventory
  • Connector inventory

Inventories with CanReceive flag

  • Cargo container inventories
  • Assembler input inventory
  • Refinery input inventory
  • Reactor inventory
  • Turret & gun inventories
  • Connector inventory

Requests of the individual block types

  • Assembler:
- If the input inventory is less than 60% full, the assembler issues a pull request for the needed materials according to the current blueprint
- If the output inventory is more than 75% full, the assembler issues a push request for its contents.
  • Refinery:
- See assembler; Refinery works similarly
  • Collector:
- Sends push requests for all of its contents
  • Reactor:
- If the fuel inventory is less than 60% full, sends pull request for some small amount of fuel
  • Turrets and ship guns:
- If their inventories ar less than 50% full, they send pull requests for ammo
  • Ship drill & ship grinder:
- Send push requests for all of their contents

Power Usage

Conveyors use 20 Watts (20 W) for every interface in use, both for Large Grids and Small Grids. This means for a Curved Conveyor Tube, and a Conveyor Tube, when both ends are connected the tube piece will draw 40 W - 20 W for each end. When connecting to a Conveyor or a Small Conveyor, it will use 20 W for each connected face - at minimum 20 W (because Conveyors are considered an "end", and will terminate a conveyor line), but as much as 120 W when all six sides are connected.

There is no way to turn off this requirement - conveyors always require power. Turning off the "Use Conveyor System" on anything attached to the conveyor network does not affect this power requirement (eg Arc Furnace, Refinery, Oxygen Generator, etc). For all the examples just mentioned (except the Arc Furnace), each item has four Conveyor ports on it, so each can consume between 20 and 80 W of power via the Conveyor system - depending on how many ports are hooked up and functioning.

Any conveyor system (Tubes and Curved Tubes) which is not properly terminated (the conveyor tube lights are red), it will not consume any power until it is properly hooked up.

Conveyor blocks

The conveyor blocks are more or less "pipes" that can be placed between devices when direct connections are impossible. In other words, conveyors are pipeline blocks the player can place to connect one inventory to another. The style in which players place the conveyors is completely up to them. The only requirement needed to establish a connection is by having two inventories on either end of the network.

List of conveyor blocks

The blocks listed below only function as conveyor and have no other purpose.

Large Conveyors

Small Conveyors

Conveyor ports

Conveyor ports are the input/output slots that conveyors and/or other devices may connect to in order to allow items to be transferred to another inventory.

Small port

Small conveyor ports are small, and do not allow objects larger than the ports themselves through.

ConveyorNetwork03.jpg

Items that can transfer through small ports

Any item whose Size does not exceed 0.25 m in any direction:[2]

AutoCanonShellBox Icon.PNG Autocannon Magazine 
• 
MR-20 Magazine Icon.png MR-20 Rifle Magazine 
• 
Pistol Elite Warfare Ammo Icon.PNG S-10E Pistol Magazine 
• 
Pistol FullAuto Warfare Ammo Icon.PNG S-20A Pistol Magazine 
• 
MediumCalibreShell Icon.PNG Assault Cannon Shell 
• 
25x184mm NATO Ammo Container Icon.png Gatling Ammo Box 
• 
5.56x45mm NATO Magazine Icon.png 5.56x45mm NATO magazine 
• 
Rifle Ammo Precise Icon.PNG MR-8P Rifle Magazine 
• 
Rifle Ammo RapidFire Icon.PNG MR-50A Rifle Magazine 
• 
Pistol Warfare Ammo Icon.PNG S-10 Pistol Magazine 
• 
RailgunAmmo Icon.PNG Small Railgun Sabot 
• 
Rifle Ammo Elite Icon.PNG MR-30E Rifle Magazine 
• 
Canvas Icon.png Canvas 
• 
Computer Icon.png Computer 
• 
Construction Component Icon.png Construction Component 
• 
Plushie Icon.PNG Engineer Plushie 
• 
Explosives Icon.png Explosives 
• 
Motor Icon.png Motor 
• 
Reactor Components Icon.png Reactor Components 
• 
SabiroidPlushie Icon.PNG Saberoid Plushie 
• 
Thruster Components Icon.png Thruster Components 
• 
Zone Chip Icon.png Zone Chip 
• 
Cobalt Ingot Icon.png Cobalt Ingot 
• 
Gold Ingot Icon.png Gold Ingot 
• 
Iron Ingot Icon.png Iron Ingot 
• 
Magnesium Powder Icon.png Magnesium Powder 
• 
Nickel Ingot Icon.png Nickel Ingot 
• 
Platinum Ingot Icon.png Platinum Ingot 
• 
Silicon Wafer Icon.png Silicon Wafer 
• 
Silver Ingot Icon.png Silver Ingot 
• 
Gravel Icon.png Gravel 
• 
Uranium Ingot Icon.png Uranium Ingot 
• 
Cobalt Ore Icon.png Cobalt Ore 
• 
Gold Ore Icon.png Gold Ore 
• 
Ice Icon.png Ice 
• 
Iron Ore Icon.png Iron Ore 
• 
Magnesium Ore Icon.png Magnesium Ore 
• 
Nickel Ore Icon.png Nickel Ore 
• 
32px Organic 
• 
Platinum Ore Icon.png Platinum Ore 
• 
Scrap Metal Icon.png Scrap Metal 
• 
Silicon Ore Icon.png Silicon Ore 
• 
Silver Ore Icon.png Silver Ore 
• 
Stone Icon.png Stone 
• 
Uranium Ore Icon.png Uranium Ore 

Small to Large port Incompatibilities

Players should be aware when using the conveyors that small ports & large are not compatible! You can not fit a smaller conveyor into a larger port, and a large into small port.

Bad conveyor port connection to a medium cargo container
Good conveyor port connection to a medium cargo container
Good conveyor port connection to a small ship drill
Bad conveyor port connection to a small ship welder

Large port

Large ports are larger in size, and can allow all item types to transfer through them.

ConveyorNetwork04.jpg

Examples

ConveyorNetwork15.jpg
ConveyorNetwork12.jpg
ConveyorNetwork13.jpg
ConveyorNetwork14.jpg
ConveyorNetwork11.jpg

References

  1. ↑ Forum thread: Explanation of pull & push principles in conveyor system http://forums.keenswh.com/post?id=6877337 Retrieved 9/4/2014. Url moved in August 2020.
  2. ↑ Sandbox.Game.dll Sandbox.Game.GameSystems.MyGridConveyorSystem.NeedsLargeTube(MyDefinitionId) Dated 2020-07-02
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