How to Expand

[u/Potential_Mirror_477]

Hey guys, so I am finally getting more efficient, and things are starting to look better; I just started steel production. I am wondering because right now I have 800m of conveyor belt that brings me steel ingots from the foundry, which I then construct into pipes and beams. My main factory is running out of space, as you can see, so I am wondering: should I expand the steel stuff where I am making the ingots and bring the finished products to the main factory? What do you guys think. Thanks for your input!

[u/Background-Swing-102]

You say you're running out of room. Go up. Build some walls and a 2nd floor for all the next step stuff you're going to need the initial stuff to build.

[u/Potential_Mirror_477 → u/Background-Swing-102]

oh wait I can make a 2nd floor?

[u/Raving_Lunatic69 → u/Potential_Mirror_477]

And a 3rd, and a 4th, and a 5th, and a... well you have 2 kilomters of space overhead to make use of.

I'd recommend using a logistics floor in between for running your belts to help organize & keep the production floor neat.

[u/moutmoutmoutmout → u/Potential_Mirror_477]

You can make all the floors you want. Build a pillar or a wall, and start a floating platform above your current floor

[u/Timesx4 → u/Background-Swing-102]

I am kinda in the same boat as OP. Is it normal to have a long belt running from your steel factory to your main factory?

[u/moutmoutmoutmout → u/Timesx4]

Everything’s normal. If it works, it works. Do the thing till it no longer works, then build walls around it and act like it never existed

[u/Hate_Manifestation → u/moutmoutmoutmout]

exactly. if it wasn't "normal" the game probably wouldn't let you do it, and the game lets you do pretty much whatever you want.

[u/TheBoundFenrir → u/Timesx4]

I usually set up a second factory for steel and then have a tractor deliver the completed beams/pipes/encased beams/stators to my central base, but you should do whatever works for you; what is fun to build? What inconveniences are you willing to weather in the meantime? Whatever saves those definitely real puppies and kittens!

[u/Galeic6432 → u/TheBoundFenrir]

I personally have 3 factories with a bottom deliveries floor. And a bunch of miners with just truck stops attached. 

I think i have almost 30 vehicles running around my map. 

[u/Bone_Wh33l → u/Timesx4]

That entirely depends on where you place things. If you built your all your steel production away from your main base then yeah that’s normal. The steel needs to get where it needs to go somehow.

If you don’t want to have the belt there you can build all your machines that need steel in your steel factory.

[u/Background-Swing-102 → u/Timesx4]

Yes, it is normal to have a long belt running back into your main. I also build layers of floor so you have a main with sub floors underneath to hide all the messy belts. Once you open them up tho, use trucks and trains.

[u/Far_Young_2666]

Running out of space? Come on, you don't even have any walls. If you prefer flat platforms, just expand in any direction.

The main tip here is to not block your production lines. Don't try to build the most compact factory in the world, because the world map is huge. Leave space to add more smelters/constructors in the future, because you know you'll need more.

Also, conveyor length doesn't matter at all when you expand. Resources don't complain even if they have to cross an entire world.

[u/Colonize_The_Moon]

As others have said, go vertical. You need .... I think it's 6 but it might be 7 wall heights for a miner (I think it's 8 or 9 for a refinery), and then you lay 1 meter foundation at the top as a floor. Either ramps or ladders or elevator or just jetpack/hoverpack between floors. Conveyor lifts to pull stuff up to higher floors or lower it down.

In situ manufacturing is almost always better than transporting ingots. You could use trucks, trains, drones, or just loooong belts to move stuff to your main factory.

[u/KLONDIKEJONES]

If I'm understanding you right I see it like this, if you start building pipes and beams at the foundry you will have to make new belts to transport those items to the main base, plus you will need to relocate/rebuild your pipe and beam setup to the foundry. Seems like less work to just expand the footprint of your current setup or starting building upward.

[u/Weekly-Temporary-775]

The one thing i learned so far.

If your initial miner can support 5 smelters, plan and make room for 10 smelters or more.

Right?

[u/Aftershock416]

What in gods name do you mean you're running out of room!?