Factorio Forums

How about when you get the inserter quantity upgrade, that it works on belts as well by simply being able to pick up multiple from a chest, then drop them one at a time without having to move back for more?

The same could be done for pickup, where the inserter can pick up multiple items without moving if its picking up from a belt (Except maybe move between lanes?), then move to drop the entire set off.

Dropping held items one-at-a-time onto a belt seems plausible,
just as a crane can pick up a load of sand and pour it in smaller quantities here and there.

The reverse would be way trickier, though