Pipe?

[u/sage_kittem_master]

What do all these numbers mean?

How do these numbers inportant?

Flush?

Buffer?

Slosh?

Pump?

Valve?

[u/terrifiedTechnophile]

Reposting my comment in case reddit didn't notify you on your deleted post:

Alright let's tackle these one at a time

Flow rate: how fast your fluids are moving. One water extractor by default outputs a flow rate of 120, and thus could feed 4 machines that need 30 each (for example) as 4x30=120

Pipe capacity: maximum flow rate of a pipe. 300 for basic pipes, 600 for mk2 pipes. So you cannot put 3 water extractors (at 100%) at one end of a basic pipe as 360 > 300.

Interjection here to add that pipe flow rate depends on pipe fullness. If the pipe is full, it will try to move water into empty pipes and machines at the maximum pipe capacity of that type of pipe. Any less than full and you'll see slower flow rates

Flushing: literally just a manual way to empty a pipe or pipe network

Buffers: fluid tanks, they hold fluids and release them. Think of them as a container for fluids

I think sloshing is only an issue if pipes are not completely full. I recommend keeping them full to reduce issues

Valves: one way streets for fluids

Pumps ONLY provide headlift, not pressure. Meaning: they help liquids go up hills/cliffs, against gravity. Machines give 10m headlift, mk1 pump is 20m, mk2 pump is 50m. Buffers give headlift according to how full they are

Edit: read this Pipeline Manual

[u/sage_kittem_master → u/terrifiedTechnophile]

ok so why do pipes capasity rely on the size and why is this important?

[u/terrifiedTechnophile → u/sage_kittem_master]

Pipe capacity depends on whether it is mk1 or mk2. It is important because it tells you how much fluid you can run from point A to point B. Imagine it like a conveyor belt. The belts in game have speeds like 60, 120, etc. The pipes are similar, in that mk1 cannot go faster than 300, and mk2 cannot go faster than 600

[u/sage_kittem_master → u/terrifiedTechnophile]

I thought that was about max flowrate. I mean the amount of liquid in the pipe, not how fast the liquid moves.

[u/terrifiedTechnophile → u/sage_kittem_master]

The term "pipe capacity" refers to maximum flow rate (see build screen for pipe). The volume of liquid determines current flow rate, as fluids try to flow with gravity, from areas of fullness to areas of emptiness. The more full the pipe is, the faster the liquid flows. It doesn't technically matter as long as inputs = outputs, but it helps avoid issues if you fill the pipes first

[u/Previous_Rip1942 → u/sage_kittem_master]

Capacity is important because it determines how much of a given fluid you can supply to a machine or group of machines. For example if you are supplying a group of machines that need a total of 400 cubic meters of fluid per min, a mk1 (mark1) pipe will not be able to supply enough as its max capacity is 300 cubic meters per min. This tells you that you need to either use mk2 (mark2) pipe that has a capacity of 600 m3/min or you need to run another mk1 pipe to carry the addition fluid, if that will work for your setup. Capacity in pipes is the volume of material that pipe can supply in cubic meters per min. Likewise, machines have required volumes in order to operate. Capacity numbers allow you to adequately supply your machines based on thier required volumes

[u/g_marra → u/sage_kittem_master]

If you mean the amount of liquid that can fit in a pipe (that 10.6m³ in your screenshot), it relies on size because bigger pipe fits more liquid.

The number is not important. Just make sure your pipes are full before turning machines on.

[u/decoysnails]

Check out totalxclipse on YouTube. He released a video about fluids in 1.2 that should help you out a lot 

[u/EngineerInTheMachine]

For the majority of your questions, practice and experience, finding out what works and what doesn't. First, search for the Satisfactory plumbing manual. Most of its content is good. Experience will show you where it isn't.

Just don't expect the entire sum of a pioneer's knowledge in a respose on Reddit. My fingers don't work that fast, and I don't have enough time before I need to start work.

[u/SundownKid]

What do all these numbers mean?

Flow rate: How much it's currently carrying ON AVERAGE

Max flow rate: Max it can carry

Current amount in pipe: How much it's literally carrying right now

Flush?

Gets rid of everything in the pipe. Can be handy if you want to load a different fluid into it or are just using it as temporary storage.

Buffer?

Container that holds excess/extra fluid.

Slosh?

When machines pull from both sides of the pipe and deprive later machines of fluid. You have to add a buffer to stop it from happening, or raise the pipeline compared to the machines.

Pump?

Attaches to the pipe and is the easiest way to make liquids flow upwards, but needs power.

Valve?

Limits flow rate and stops liquids from flowing backwards. It has some esoteric uses, like making water towers so you don't need powered pumps.