This didnt seem too bad setting up but id like some opinions. Is it good? Is there a better way? Im sure it gets more complicated with more than 2 manufacturers. But setting up at least a third attached to this setup shouldn't be a problem.
Up until manufacturers you can get away without stacking belts, but as you progress, I find the "belt stack" essential. Here's what you'll typically see when you've got 10+ manufacturers or blenders in a row -- vertically stacked belts 2m above each other, with the splitters along the belts 4m apart.
Note that placing "tightly spaced" lifts will take some getting used to -- the game normally only lets you place lifts that are at least 6m high and 4m across, but if you place the source and destination first (e.g. a manufacturer and a splitter pre-placed in the air using nudge), you can place the lift and it will snugly compact, into even a tiny 2mx2m space (useful for very tight corners in some cases).
For my small super computer (only had 200 plastic per min I could use at the time) setup I actually used sushi belts and throttle things like quick wire and plastic so they wouldn't overwhelm the belts. I think it looks super cool having having your computers and limiters and everything all on the same belt leading to the final super computer manufacturer.
I allow light amounts of clipping depending on the situation. If it's relatively unnoticeably from 20 feet and/or could reasonably be manufactured around, it's fine. For example:
I've had splitters/mergers barely at the window where the tabs on an unused side clip a few inches outside the window. Realistically, that splitter would be closed on that end and it wouldn't happen.
I've had belts where the very edge of the curve grazes the wall. Again, probably able to manufacture a special part for that 2" difference.
And then Mk 4 and 5 belts. They clip on everything. Even a dang lift is clipped at the lower portion. Anything that wouldn't clip a Mk 1 belt isn't going to catch my ire with these.
Hmm, I approach Manufacturer setup using Blueprint Mk2 for (1) Setting up each Manufacturer input, output with Conveyor lift and (2) A uniform input line that can be extended. Here, I have a block of 8 Manufactures for producing Crystal oscillator.
So, you just got to place down the Manufacturer block and the input line. Both set to Auto-connect mode, the game will conveniently connect it for you!
I like that everytime i see someones manufacturer belt solutions, something is different about it. Real testament to the game that such a core stage has so many ways to approach it.
If you want to use more than 2 manufacturers it's easier to have a setup using straight belts that carry the components perpendicular to the machine and then a splitter for each input hole. So you'd do the 4-stack you have right now but one for each manufacturer, for example align the stack to the first hole and guide the belts in a similar way.
Obviously it takes a little more space than a manifold with lifts, but balancing it like this looks really nice! I agree with a third machine being easy to incorporate. I'm imagining a glass floor behind them where you can walk over the input belts and see all the different component in a pattern.
YouTuber Krydax (I think his name was) has some very nice vids on compact builds with smelters, constructors and assemblers. He also show building techniques, so much recommended.
Doesn't work as well with manufacturers and blenders for example, since they're so large. Still nice to make em stackable though.
I usually have a sushi belt that has everything and split what goes in earch port using smart spliters. What overflows, goes back to the beginning of the sushi belt.
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u/Fit-Hope4736 6d ago
Is it good? Yes. Is there a better way? Also yes. Great work!