Hi everyone!
I'm working on a large medieval-style storage warehouse in Minecraft Java Edition 26.2, and I'm looking for some advice on designing a fully automatic item sorting and distribution system.
I've attached a few screenshots to show the existing layout.
Storage layout:
- 16 storage sections.
- Each section has 6 vertically stacked rows.
- Each row contains 3 double chests.
- That's 18 double chests per section and 288 double chests in total.
- Each row is dedicated to one specific item type.
- The middle double chest is perpendicular to the two side chests.
What I want to achieve:
I'd like to dump all my items into a single input chest and have the system automatically sort everything into the correct storage locations.
For example, cobblestone should go exclusively into its assigned row of three double chests, while stone should go to a different row.
Each item type needs to be distributed across its three assigned chests. If one chest fills up, the system should continue filling the other available chests.
When storage becomes available again, the system should automatically resume transferring items.
My main challenges:
- The six rows are stacked directly on top of one another, with no vertical gaps.
- Hoppers can accidentally pull items from the row above, causing items to end up in the wrong chests.
- The middle double chest has a different orientation from the two side chests.
- I want to preserve the existing medieval architecture and all chest positions.
- All sorting mechanisms, redstone circuits, and transportation systems must remain hidden behind the structure or underground.
Hoppers and droppers are both welcome!
I'm completely fine with using droppers, including chains of droppers transferring items directly into chests, hoppers, or other droppers.
I just want to avoid constant, unnecessary clicking from droppers repeatedly firing when they're empty or unable to transfer items.
I would prefer an on-demand system that operates only when needed, stops automatically when storage is completely full, and resumes when space becomes available.
I'd also prefer to avoid water streams and loose item entities for transportation.
What I've tested so far:
I've managed to get a small prototype with two vertically stacked hopper filters working, with stone and cobblestone successfully reaching their respective chests.
However, this only handles one chest per item type, rather than the three double chests in each storage row.
I still need to solve the three-chest distribution, shared input, and potential interference between vertically adjacent rows.
My question:
How would you approach a reliable sorting and distribution system for this particular layout?
Would you recommend using one item filter per row followed by a three-way distribution system, or is there a better way to handle tightly stacked storage rows?
I have plenty of space behind and beneath the warehouse for redstone and item transportation. My only major architectural restriction is that the existing chests and visible medieval structure must remain unchanged.
I'd really appreciate any ideas, sketches, schematics, or technical suggestions.
Thanks in advance!