Stack inserter - Revision history

Alfonse: /* Stack size */ Notation about stack inserter hand size.

2025-01-14T16:22:19Z

Stack size: Notation about stack inserter hand size.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:22, 14 January 2025
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	== Stack size ==		== Stack size ==
	The stack size is increased by the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]] technology. The stack size can be overridden to set how many items it picks up at one time, with the maximum being the highest research level currently unlocked.		The stack size for stack inserters is increased by the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]] technology (though you will likely have already researched most if not all of these upgrades before researching stack inserters). The stack size can be overridden to set how many items it picks up at one time, with the maximum being the highest research level currently unlocked.

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! Inserter capacity bonus		! Inserter capacity bonus

Alfonse: /* Belt stacking */

2025-01-14T04:01:21Z

Belt stacking

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:01, 14 January 2025
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	When a stack inserter inserts items onto a belt, it will stack them to the maximum [[Transport_belt_capacity_(research)\|belt stack size]] currently researched. The Stack inserter research increases the maximum belt stack to 2, with two further researches increasing it to 4.		When a stack inserter inserts items onto a belt, it will stack them to the maximum [[Transport_belt_capacity_(research)\|belt stack size]] currently researched. The Stack inserter research increases the maximum belt stack to 2, with two further researches increasing it to 4.

	The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will ~~generally built~~ full stacks, even if this moves fewer items than the hand size.		The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will almost always build full stacks even if this moves fewer items than the hand size says it should.

	There are several cases where the stack inserter will not build full stacks on belts. First, if the hand size is less than the current maximum belt stack size (so rounding down would result in a hand size of 0), then the stack inserter will respect the exact hand size and build partial stacks.		There are several cases where the stack inserter will not build full stacks on belts. First, if the hand size is less than the current maximum belt stack size (so rounding down would result in a hand size of 0), then the stack inserter will respect the exact hand size and build partial stacks.

Alfonse: Added trick for fixing stack inserter holding.

2025-01-03T20:10:10Z

Added trick for fixing stack inserter holding.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 3 January 2025
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	This particular feature of the stack inserter means that it is not a complete upgrade to the [[bulk inserter]]; there will be cases where the latter is more appropriate.		This particular feature of the stack inserter means that it is not a complete upgrade to the [[bulk inserter]]; there will be cases where the latter is more appropriate.

	To avoid getting stuck, if the item it is holding while waiting for more items [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoils]] into a different item, then it will turn immediately to discard its hand. Similarly, if the inserter is given a filter, and that filter changes to no longer include the item in its hand, the stack inserter will immediately turn and discard its hand.		To avoid getting stuck, if the item it is holding while waiting for more items [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoils]] into a different item, then it will turn immediately to discard its hand. Similarly, if the inserter is given a filter, and that filter changes to no longer include the item in its hand, the stack inserter will immediately turn and discard its hand. This latter feature [[#Tips\|can make it easy to force the inserter to become unstuck]].

	== Belt stacking ==		== Belt stacking ==
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	\| align="left"\| 7 \|\| +2 \|\| 16		\| align="left"\| 7 \|\| +2 \|\| 16
	\|}		\|}

			== Tips ==

			The stack inserter usually does not turn until it has its full hand size. While this is often desireable, there are circumstances where this behavior can pose a problem. There are ways to force a stack inserter to discard its current hand contents.

			The primary tool for doing this is to control the stack inserter's filtered item list. If the filters change such that the item in the inserter's hand is no longer on the list of valid filtered items, then the inserter will immediately turn to drop its hand regardless of how much is there.

			When inserting from a container into something else (a belt, machine, etc), one can employ the [[circuit network]]. If you wire the stack inserter to that container, and set the stack inserter to filter items based on the circuit network, then everything automatically works. If the stack inserter's hand is not full, that can only be because the container ran out of items of that type. Which means that the container will no longer broadcast a positive signal of that item's type. And that means the stack inserter's filters will not be filtered on the item in the stack inserter's hand. And therefore, it will immediately turn to drop the items.

			This can also work on various crafting machines, as they can be set to broadcast their contents. Their contents do include their input slots, but this is safe as output inserters cannot output items in the input slots of a machine.

			However, because broadcasting contents does include the items in those input slots as filters, if the recipe requires more than 5 total inputs and outputs, this mechanism may not work. Inserter filters can only filter on 5 items at once, so if there are more than 5 items to be filtered, then the system will pick 5 of them arbitrarily. And if there are 5 inputs, the filtered set may never include ''any'' of the outputs.

			Note that for machines dealing with [[spoilage mechanics\|spoilable items]], the 5 item limit also includes any possible spoil products.

			This mechanism can be adapted to handle recipes with larger numbers of inputs by using combinator machinery to filter out any signals that are not the desired outputs.

			Stack inserters that insert from a belt can also do this. The belt they are inserting from can be wired to the stack inserter and told to read that belt tile's contents. However, this will prevent the inserter from waiting for more items, so it can lead to more insertions than is strictly needed.

	== Trivia ==		== Trivia ==
	* When first mentioned in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-393 FFF #393], the stack inserter was instead called the "bulk inserter". However, in response to feedback from the audience, the developers announced in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-394 the following FFF] that its name would be swapped with that of [[bulk inserter\|what was previously known as a "stack inserter"]], as this naming was deemed more ~~appropiate~~.		* When first mentioned in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-393 FFF #393], the stack inserter was instead called the "bulk inserter". However, in response to feedback from the audience, the developers announced in [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-394 the following FFF] that its name would be swapped with that of [[bulk inserter\|what was previously known as a "stack inserter"]], as this naming was deemed more appropriate.

	== History ==		== History ==

Alfonse: Noting that a stack inserter will immediately turn if its filter no longer includes the item in its hand.

2024-12-24T01:11:41Z

Noting that a stack inserter will immediately turn if its filter no longer includes the item in its hand.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:11, 24 December 2024
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	Unlike other inserters, it will not insert into its target until it has collected a full hand size of items. While usually beneficial, this can be a problem if more materials from the source are not forthcoming. In particular, holding onto [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoilable]] items can lead to reduced freshness or even completely spoiling into a less useful item.		Unlike other inserters, it will not insert into its target until it has collected a full hand size of items. While usually beneficial, this can be a problem if more materials from the source are not forthcoming. In particular, holding onto [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoilable]] items can lead to reduced freshness or even completely spoiling into a less useful item.

	~~To avoid getting stuck, if~~ the ~~item~~ it is ~~holding while waiting for more items~~ [[~~Spoilage mechanics\|spoils~~]] ~~into a different item, then it~~ will ~~turn immediately to discard its hand~~.		This particular feature of the stack inserter means that it is not a complete upgrade to the [[bulk inserter]]; there will be cases where the latter is more appropriate.

	~~This particular feature of~~ the ~~stack inserter means that~~ it is ~~not a complete upgrade to the~~ [[~~bulk inserter~~]]~~; there~~ will ~~be cases where~~ the ~~latter~~ is ~~more appropriate~~.		To avoid getting stuck, if the item it is holding while waiting for more items [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoils]] into a different item, then it will turn immediately to discard its hand. Similarly, if the inserter is given a filter, and that filter changes to no longer include the item in its hand, the stack inserter will immediately turn and discard its hand.

	== Belt stacking ==		== Belt stacking ==
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	The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will generally built full stacks, even if this moves fewer items than the hand size.		The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will generally built full stacks, even if this moves fewer items than the hand size.

	There are ~~two~~ cases where the stack inserter will not build full stacks on belts. First, if the hand size is less than the current maximum belt stack size (so rounding down would result in a hand size of 0), then the stack inserter will respect the exact hand size and build partial stacks.		There are several cases where the stack inserter will not build full stacks on belts. First, if the hand size is less than the current maximum belt stack size (so rounding down would result in a hand size of 0), then the stack inserter will respect the exact hand size and build partial stacks.

	Second, as previously indicated, if the stack inserter is holding a spoilable item, and that item spoils, then the stack inserter will insert that item into its destination immediately, building whatever stacks it can when inserting onto a belt.		Second, as previously indicated, if the stack inserter is holding a spoilable item, and that item spoils, then the stack inserter will insert that item into its destination immediately, building whatever stacks it can when inserting onto a belt. This also applies to changing the filter of the stack inserter.

	There is a very rare third case: if the research for maximum belt stacks changes while the inserter is moving to insert onto a belt, then it will build whatever stacks it can onto that belt using the new belt stack limit.		There is a very rare third case: if the research for maximum belt stacks changes while the inserter is moving to insert onto a belt, then it will build whatever stacks it can onto that belt using the new belt stack limit.

Adehnert: link belt stack size research

2024-12-07T00:40:56Z

link belt stack size research

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:40, 7 December 2024
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	== Belt stacking ==		== Belt stacking ==

	When a stack inserter inserts items onto a belt, it will stack them to the maximum belt stack size currently researched. The Stack inserter research increases the maximum belt stack to 2, with two further researches increasing it to 4.		When a stack inserter inserts items onto a belt, it will stack them to the maximum [[Transport_belt_capacity_(research)\|belt stack size]] currently researched. The Stack inserter research increases the maximum belt stack to 2, with two further researches increasing it to 4.

	The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will generally built full stacks, even if this moves fewer items than the hand size.		The stack inserter will attempt to always build stacks of the maximum size currently researched. This has particular interactions with the inserter's hand size. When inserting onto a belt (and ''only'' when doing so), the hand size is always rounded down to the next multiple of the current maximum belt stack size. This means that it will generally built full stacks, even if this moves fewer items than the hand size.

Alfonse: I think this article is complete enough to no longer be considered a stub.

2024-11-23T16:45:28Z

I think this article is complete enough to no longer be considered a stub.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 23 November 2024
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	{{Languages}}		{{Languages}}
	{{:Infobox:Stack inserter}}		{{:Infobox:Stack inserter}}
	~~{{Stub}}~~
	{{About/Space age}}		{{About/Space age}}
	{{About\|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]\|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities\|bulk inserter}}		{{About\|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]\|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities\|bulk inserter}}

Alfonse: Link to spoilage mechanics page.

2024-11-16T14:52:01Z

Link to spoilage mechanics page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 16 November 2024
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	The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time and build stacks on [[Belt transport system\|belts]]. It has a larger maximum hand size than the [[bulk inserter]] while turning at the same rate, giving it a 33% higher throughput.		The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time and build stacks on [[Belt transport system\|belts]]. It has a larger maximum hand size than the [[bulk inserter]] while turning at the same rate, giving it a 33% higher throughput.

	Unlike other inserters, it will not insert into its target until it has collected a full hand size of items. While usually beneficial, this can be a problem if more materials from the source are not forthcoming. In particular, holding onto [[Spoilage\|spoilable]] items can lead to reduced freshness or even completely spoiling into a less useful item.		Unlike other inserters, it will not insert into its target until it has collected a full hand size of items. While usually beneficial, this can be a problem if more materials from the source are not forthcoming. In particular, holding onto [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoilable]] items can lead to reduced freshness or even completely spoiling into a less useful item.

	To avoid getting stuck, if the item it is holding while waiting for more items [[Spoilage\|spoils]] into a different item, then it will turn immediately to discard its hand.		To avoid getting stuck, if the item it is holding while waiting for more items [[Spoilage mechanics\|spoils]] into a different item, then it will turn immediately to discard its hand.

	This particular feature of the stack inserter means that it is not a complete upgrade to the [[bulk inserter]]; there will be cases where the latter is more appropriate.		This particular feature of the stack inserter means that it is not a complete upgrade to the [[bulk inserter]]; there will be cases where the latter is more appropriate.

Alfonse: Added details of belt stacking behavior.

2024-11-15T16:37:43Z

Added details of belt stacking behavior.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 {{About/Space age}}
 {{About|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities|bulk inserter}}
-The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]] and [[bulk inserter]], like the bulk inserter it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.
+The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time and build stacks on [[Belt transport system|belts]]. It has a larger maximum hand size than the [[bulk inserter]] while turning at the same rate, giving it a 33% higher throughput.
-It has the highest throughput and hand capacity of all inserters. Unlike all other inserters the hand of the stack inserter must be full before it will swing. Its unique function is the ability to stack items on a [[Belt transport system|belt]], drastically increasing throughput of belts by up to 4 times.
+Unlike other inserters, it will not insert into its target until it has collected a full hand size of items. While usually beneficial, this can be a problem if more materials from the source are not forthcoming. In particular, holding onto [[Spoilage|spoilable]] items can lead to reduced freshness or even completely spoiling into a less useful item.
 == Stack size ==
@@ Line 36: / Line 54: @@
 == History ==
 {{history|2.0.7|
 * Introduced in [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion.

Prommah: MInor English fixes

2024-11-01T18:15:54Z

MInor English fixes

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:15, 1 November 2024
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	{{About/Space age}}		{{About/Space age}}
	{{About\|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]\|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities\|bulk inserter}}		{{About\|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]\|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities\|bulk inserter}}
	The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]] and [[bulk inserter]], like bulk inserter it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.		The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]] and [[bulk inserter]], like the bulk inserter it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.

	It has the highest throughput and hand capacity ~~from~~ all inserters. Unlike all other inserters hand of stack inserter must be full before it will swing. Its unique function is ability to ~~put~~ items ~~in stacks~~ on a [[Belt transport system\|belt]], drastically increasing throughput of belts by up to 4 times.		It has the highest throughput and hand capacity of all inserters. Unlike all other inserters the hand of the stack inserter must be full before it will swing. Its unique function is the ability to stack items on a [[Belt transport system\|belt]], drastically increasing throughput of belts by up to 4 times.

	== Stack size ==		== Stack size ==

Bilka: Added about pointing to bulk inserter

2024-10-25T19:35:02Z

Added about pointing to bulk inserter

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 25 October 2024
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	{{Stub}}		{{Stub}}
	{{About/Space age}}		{{About/Space age}}
			{{About\|the new inserter introduced in [[Space Age]]\|the base game inserter with large transfer abilities\|bulk inserter}}
	The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]] and [[bulk inserter]], like bulk inserter it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.		The '''stack inserter''' is an electric inserter that can move multiple items at the same time. Moving at the speed of the [[fast inserter]] and [[bulk inserter]], like bulk inserter it transfers multiple items per cycle to give it a material flow advantage at the cost of additional power consumption.