Factory automation
Smelting Chain
Smelting converts mined ore into usable ingots and connects extraction to the rest of the factory. Separate inputs and a…
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Smelting Chain
A processing area between the mine's ore buffer and the factory's ingot consumers.
Before you go
- Mined ore of a known type
- Unlocked smelting equipment and its required energy or fuel
- Separate input and output storage or belts
- A route for any byproducts the chosen process produces
Farming steps
- Choose one ore type and place its input buffer beside the smelting area.
- Check the selected smelter's in-game input and output indicators before connecting a full line.
- Feed a small batch and confirm the ingot output and any secondary output.
- Route ingots to a dedicated output buffer so processing can be monitored.
- Provide a separate storage or disposal path for byproducts when the process generates them.
- Connect the ingot buffer to one intended consumer and check that the route does not back up.
- Scale the line only after ore delivery, smelting, and output handling all work together.
- Separate ore types at the input so a mixed feed does not obscure which material is being processed.
- Leave access to output connections; a full byproduct route can stop an otherwise functional line.
Repeat, collect and use
This is a repeatable production chain while ore, energy or fuel, machine capacity, and output space are available. Check buffers and output paths as you add consumers.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every process has only one output can fill the machine's exit; check the live output indicators and route byproducts.
- Feeding several ores into an unplanned shared input complicates tracking; keep ore inputs identifiable.
- Sending ingots straight to multiple consumers can hide a processing shortage; keep an output buffer and monitor it.
When to stop or switch
Stop expanding smelting when ingot stock meets current demand and output paths remain clear. Address whichever input, machine, or byproduct route is limiting before adding capacity.
Sources & fact checks
What you can get here
Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.