Circuit network features for 0.15

[Bi0nicM4n]

I don't know if this has been posted there yet or not, but I really hope to see some improvement to setting inserter filters via circuit network. You see, when I set filters for inserter, I also expect it to pick items no more than needed, not determined exclusively by inserter stack bonus. Without that functionality I can't fill all the slots in my engineering train up to the max, i.e. I can't fill two filtered slots with 200 repair packs because when there are already 195 repair packs in the wagon and my inserter picks 7, it stops, unable to put those 2 repair packs anywhere, so it also stops filling the train with the rest of the items I want there. It's really strange this wasn't done already, considering the scheme for supply train unloading has been there for several months already, and it should also be used equally for loading the trains.

[Nick-Nack]

I can't fill two filtered slots with 200 repair packs because when there are already 195 repair packs in the wagon and my inserter picks 7, it stops

Easy solution: Limit to 388

[RnDMonkey]

I can't fill two filtered slots with 200 repair packs because when there are already 195 repair packs in the wagon and my inserter picks 7, it stops

Easy solution: Limit to 388

My preferred solution, and one that I think would be helpful in tons of situations in general, would be that whenever an inserter's filter is cleared or it is disabled by the circuit network, put any held item back down at its pickup location. This way, you'd hit the 200 limit, the filter would clear, then the inserter would put any leftovers back.

[impetus maximus]

how about being able to read production/satisfaction numbers?

[TheTom]

Get me a switch combinator, please.

* It works like a MANUAL switch.
* It works like 2 constant combinators.

Basically: The switch has 2 sets of constants (we call them green and red) and I can manually switch between them. It shows a green or red light on top, depending which set is active.

Usage: as a control switch. Allows me to control things by turning it on or off.

Bonus points for being able to name it.

[Deadly-Bagel]

My preferred solution, and one that I think would be helpful in tons of situations in general, would be that whenever an inserter's filter is cleared or it is disabled by the circuit network, put any held item back down at its pickup location. This way, you'd hit the 200 limit, the filter would clear, then the inserter would put any leftovers back.

I very nearly made this a suggestion but then I realised it's not a good solution for the simple reason that the source can fill up again before the excess is put back - then where does it go? Yes you could get around it with a small circuit but again we are then looking at workarounds for what is still a fundamental problem.

The solution needs to be that inserters do not pick up more than they need to.

[mrvn]

I would love to see roboports able to display the total number of robots of each type currently existing within the roboport network.

That already works. Connect a wire to a roboport, then open it and tell it to read the robot counts instead of the logistic network content. You can even select which count goes out as which special signal.

[mrvn]

My preferred solution, and one that I think would be helpful in tons of situations in general, would be that whenever an inserter's filter is cleared or it is disabled by the circuit network, put any held item back down at its pickup location. This way, you'd hit the 200 limit, the filter would clear, then the inserter would put any leftovers back.

I very nearly made this a suggestion but then I realised it's not a good solution for the simple reason that the source can fill up again before the excess is put back - then where does it go? Yes you could get around it with a small circuit but again we are then looking at workarounds for what is still a fundamental problem.

The solution needs to be that inserters do not pick up more than they need to.

Problem is that inserters pick up items even when the train is not there. So you have already picked up 7 iron plates but when the train arrives you only have space for 5 iron plates. I guess when no train is there the inserter should not pick up anything because it can not place anything on the rails directly. Similary when there is nothing at the detsination they should only pick up one thing.

[Deadly-Bagel]

That is a separate problem IMO, you could probably put together some sort of hack linking signals to circuits so that inserters only work when the train is there but a circuit signal from the train station advising a train is parked would be good also so you can handle this manually.

[DaveMcW]

Read furnace inventory (furnace_source) would be helpful.

[vanatteveldt]

Stack / Filter Inserter: set item filter and stack size (especially the latter is quite useful for smart furnace setups)

[DaveMcW]

Stack / Filter Inserter: set item filter and stack size

There is a 1 constant combinator solution if you abuse integer overflow: viewtopic.php?f=193&t=35380

[Optera]

Stack / Filter Inserter: set item filter and stack size

There is a 1 constant combinator solution if you abuse integer overflow: viewtopic.php?f=193&t=35380

That's the best work around I've seen, but it's still only a work around only working when picking up from belts.

[vanatteveldt]

Stack / Filter Inserter: set item filter and stack size

There is a 1 constant combinator solution if you abuse integer overflow: viewtopic.php?f=193&t=35380

That's the best work around I've seen, but it's still only a work around only working when picking up from belts.

But is pretty darn original . Thanks for the link!

[siggboy]

Stack / Filter Inserter: set item filter and stack size

There is a 1 constant combinator solution if you abuse integer overflow: viewtopic.php?f=193&t=35380

That's the best work around I've seen, but it's still only a work around only working when picking up from belts.

It's not new, it has been discussed many weeks ago already.

The problem with that solution is that it only works from belts, and not from buffer chests. Which, among other things, makes it unsuitable for smart furnaces that are fed from robot chests.

[nbp]

Assembling machine: set recipe

For anybody who want to try this feature, I just published a mod which emulates this feature.
You can check it out at https://mods.factorio.com/mods/nbp/circuit-assembler

[onebit]

A MIN() combinator would be awesome for train loading.

[Yoyobuae]

Assembling machine: set recipe

An example of what would be possible with this feature:
https://youtu.be/cGfAFxHplnE

[vanatteveldt]

Another idea: microchip: basically a mini-factory / modular armor type interface where you can add more combinators and that have a red+green input and a red+green output. Optionally make them have 'connectors' at the side where if you place two microchips side by side the red+green side output of A is automatically connected to the red+green side input of B and vice versa. This will make it a lot easier to organize / share / copy interesting contraptions without having your whole factory filled by combinators, while the input/output restrictions mean that more complex setups still require enough puzzling.

Edit: another quality-of-life issue would be labeling combinators, the whole combinator and/or the input/output. From looking at belts, inserters etc. you get a decent idea of what they do, but inpecting combinators is quite annoying...

[MeduSalem]

Oh the poll is closed and there are some updates on what's already implemented... now I'm quite curious how many additional of these suggestions will make it to the game with 0.15/0.16 (because I don't expect there to be another poll for 0.16 respectively )

Currently 1 implemented of the 5 I picked... but then again I voted for lesser demanded things on purpose to encourage them instead.



Too bad that setting the Inserter Stack Size bonus with the Circuit Network signal isn't on the list... because that would have been one of my priorities actually.