Factorio Forums

Why does the manipulator not work in such a configuration?

Because roboport contains 2 inventories: robot inventory and material inventory (repair packs). For now robot inventory is given as output inventory (from which inserter may pickup items).
Same is with furnaces where inserter will not pickup fuel from fuel inventory (at least when not using burner leech)

boskid is factorio staff now? Woooo! Earned, I would say

Congratulations !