Logistic network: Difference between revisions

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m (Clearing up some grammar, and general wording to try to make it a little clearer.)
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[[Logistic network]] (LogNet) consists of [[Logistic network/Chests|different chests]], [[Logistic robot]]s and [[Roboport]]s covering the area of one logistic network. Depending on the type and configuration of the chests and area of the [[Robotic network]] the robots will transport items between these chests as alternative to the items manually, by [[Transport network|belts]] or [[Railway network]].
A [[Logistic network]] (LogNet) is a series of [[Logistic network/Chests|different chests]] and [[Logistic robot]]s all covered by one or more [[Roboport]]s.  


The player character can also act as [[Requester chest]] in the [[Logistic network]]. After [[Research|researching]] [[Character logistic slots]]. You can configure an amount of Items and [[Logistic robot]]s will start to move the specified [[Items]] from network to your characters inventory.
Depending on the type and configuration of the chests and area of the [[Robotic network]] the robots will transport items between these chests as a power-hungry alternative to moving items manually, by [[Transport network|belts]] or [[Railway network]].
 
The player character can also act as [[Requester chest]] in the [[Logistic network]], allowing you to 'request' various items be kept at a set limit within your personal inventory. After [[Research|researching]] [[Character logistic slots] you can configure an amount of Items and [[Logistic robot]]s will start to move the specified [[Items]] from the network to your characters inventory.


Do not mix up LogNet and [[Circuit network]]. They share a common component (smart inserter), but are otherwise disconnected and do not exchange any information.
Do not mix up LogNet and [[Circuit network]]. They share a common component (smart inserter), but are otherwise disconnected and do not exchange any information.
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== Items ==
== Items ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| {{imagelink|roboport|Roboport}} || Spawns the [[Robotic network]] in which the [[Robots]] can move and with it's coverage also the logistic network.
| {{imagelink|roboport|Roboport}} || Centre of the [[Robotic network]] in which the [[Robots]] can move and with its coverage forming the logistic network.
|-
|-
| {{imagelink|Logistic-robot|Logistic robot}} || Moves items between [[Logistic network/Chests|Logistic Chests]]. (*)
| {{imagelink|Logistic-robot|Logistic robot}} || Moves items between [[Logistic network/Chests|Logistic Chests]]. (*)
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| {{imagelink|Requester-chest|Requester chest}} || [[Logistic network/Chests|Logistic Chest]]: Will be filled by [[Logistic robot]]s until the configured amount is reached. (**)
| {{imagelink|Requester-chest|Requester chest}} || [[Logistic network/Chests|Logistic Chest]]: Will be filled by [[Logistic robot]]s until the configured amount is reached. (**)
|-
|-
| {{imagelink|Smart-inserter|Smart inserter}} || [[Smart inserter]]: Can be turned on/off depending on contents of a logistic network it is located in.
| {{imagelink|Smart-inserter|Smart inserter}} || [[Smart inserter]]: Can be turned on/off depending on the contents of a logistic network it is located in.
|-
|-
|}
|}


(*) At the beginning each robot is carrying only 1 [[Items|item]]. This amount can be increased by researching [[Logistic robot cargo]].
(*) At the beginning each robot can carry only 1 [[Items|item]]. This amount can be increased by researching [[Logistic robot cargo]].
 
(**) Logistic chests are also usable for a [[Circuit network]] by using wires.


(**) logistic chests are also usable for a [[Circuit network]] by using wires.


== Basic ==
== Basic ==


For the beginning, use provider- and requester chests only! Place the provider chests at the output inserters of assemblies and requester chests at the input (let them request the needed items). Place a [[Roboport]], which covers these chests with the inner area. Place some logistic bots.
To start with, just use provider- and requester chests! Place the provider chests at the output inserters of assemblies and requester chests at the input (let them request the needed items). Place a [[Roboport]], which covers these chests with the inner area. Place some logistic bots.  


=== Details ===
=== Details ===


This is well usable for creating more and more complex items in your main factory. Low complexity (smelting) can (and should) keep using belts.
This technique is very capable for creating more and more complex items in your main factory. Low complexity and high volume activities ( like smelting) can (and should) be left using belts.


The basic thing you need are [[Roboport]]s. When you placed the port and hover it, you see a orange and a larger green area.
The basic thing you need are [[Roboport]]s. When you placed the port and hover it, you see a orange and a larger green area.


* the orange zone is the logistic network area. This is also the maximum distance for connecting two roboports.
* The orange zone is the Logistic Network area. This is also the maximum distance for connecting two roboports.
* the green zone is the construction area.
* The green zone is the Construction area.


When the zones of two or more roboports touch or overlap they are linked together to form a single network. This will show as a dotted line between the linked roboports (if they have power).  
When the zones of two or more roboports touch or overlap they are linked together to form a single network. This will show as a dotted line between the linked roboports (if they have power).  
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There can be many separate logistic networks. Two roboports are in the same network if you could fly from one to the other without leaving logistic network coverage. To prevent roboports from linking, you need to build them far enough away from each other so that the orange zones don't touch. If you don't link a roboport, the construction area isn't linked, too!
There can be many separate logistic networks. Two roboports are in the same network if you could fly from one to the other without leaving logistic network coverage. To prevent roboports from linking, you need to build them far enough away from each other so that the orange zones don't touch. If you don't link a roboport, the construction area isn't linked, too!


Bots do normally not fly from one network into another (exception: power fail).
Bots do normally not fly from one network into another (exception: when running out of charge).
 
=== Danger of loosing bots ===
 
Despite from the fact, that biters like to attack bots, pay attention to robotic networks, which build some kind of U-form (where the shortest way between two chests goes over an uncovered area): if a bot runs out of charge in this area, and could not return fast enough to a roboport, the bot falls to the ground and he and the item he took is destroyed. This behavior may change in future.
 
== Advanced ==
 
== Network info ==
Logistic network knows the numbers of all [[Items]] stored in all logistic chests and also the number of all items currently carried by [[Logistic robot]]s. This information can be seen by '''hovering a logistic chest''': you see the sum of all items in logistic chests or on the way in this logistic network.


=== Negative numbers ===
=== How it works ===
For some reasons,  you can see negative numbers in the network info. This is not a bug. This means, that the bots can transport more thn available ([[Logistic robot cargo]]).


== How it works ==
Place some logistic bots anywhere or in a Roboport, they will immediately begin to work.
Place some logistic bots anywhere or in a Roboport, they will immediately begin to work.


The logistic bots try to fulfill the configured requests (requester chest) by moving items from storage- or provider chest to requester chest or from provider- to requester chest.
The logistic bots try to fulfill the configured requests (requester chest) by moving items from storage- or provider chest to requester chest or from provider- to requester chest.


== Order of movement ==
=== Order of movement ===
The bots fulfill all requests with the same priority. The algorithm looks for the next free robot, then the next request in the queue and after giving orders to the robot, this request is put at the end of the queue, so that first all other requests are done. (The results are not optimal; it can happen, that the furthest next bot will be requested, even if there is a much closer. Because of this, it's  recommended to use the bots not for high throughput. For that the [[Railway network]] is much more useful.)
The bots fulfil all requests with the same priority. The algorithm looks for the next free robot, then the next request in the queue and after giving orders to the robot, this request is put at the end of the queue, so that first all other requests are done. (The results are not optimal; it can happen, that the furthest next bot will be requested, even if there is a much closer. Because of this, it's  recommended to use the bots not for high throughput. For that the [[Railway network]] is much more useful.)


Requests are coming from the requester chests and storage chests.
Requests come from the requester chests and storage chests.


* a requested item is first looked up in the storage chests, then in the provider chests (storage chests are emptied first)
* a requested item is first looked up in the storage chests, then in the provider chests (storage chests are emptied first)
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In other words: the storage chests are filled last, emptied first and try to store the items they already have.
In other words: the storage chests are filled last, emptied first and try to store the items they already have.
=== Danger of losing bots ===
Biters love bots!
Also - pay attention to robotic networks which form some kind of U-shape (where the shortest way between two chests goes over an uncovered area): if a bot runs out of charge in this area, and could not return fast enough to a roboport, the bot falls to the ground and will be destroyed (along with anything it was carrying). This behaviour may change in future.
== Advanced ==
=== Network info ===
A Logistic network knows the numbers of all [[Items]] stored in all logistic chests and also the number of all items currently carried by [[Logistic robot]]s. This information can be seen by '''hovering over a logistic chest''': you see the sum of all items in logistic chests or on the way in this logistic network.
=== Negative numbers ===
For some reasons,  you can see negative numbers in the network info. This is not a bug. This means, that the bots can transport more than available ([[Logistic robot cargo]]).


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 14:06, 17 March 2014

A Logistic network (LogNet) is a series of different chests and Logistic robots all covered by one or more Roboports.

Depending on the type and configuration of the chests and area of the Robotic network the robots will transport items between these chests as a power-hungry alternative to moving items manually, by belts or Railway network.

The player character can also act as Requester chest in the Logistic network, allowing you to 'request' various items be kept at a set limit within your personal inventory. After researching [[Character logistic slots] you can configure an amount of Items and Logistic robots will start to move the specified Items from the network to your characters inventory.

Do not mix up LogNet and Circuit network. They share a common component (smart inserter), but are otherwise disconnected and do not exchange any information.

Items

Roboport.png
Roboport
Centre of the Robotic network in which the Robots can move and with its coverage forming the logistic network.
Logistic robot Moves items between Logistic Chests. (*)
Provider chest Logistic Chest: Supplies the contained items to the Logistic network. (**)
Storage chest Logistic Chest: Stores Items currently not requested. (**)
Requester chest Logistic Chest: Will be filled by Logistic robots until the configured amount is reached. (**)
Smart-inserter.png
Smart inserter
Smart inserter: Can be turned on/off depending on the contents of a logistic network it is located in.

(*) At the beginning each robot can carry only 1 item. This amount can be increased by researching Logistic robot cargo.

(**) Logistic chests are also usable for a Circuit network by using wires.


Basic

To start with, just use provider- and requester chests! Place the provider chests at the output inserters of assemblies and requester chests at the input (let them request the needed items). Place a Roboport, which covers these chests with the inner area. Place some logistic bots.

Details

This technique is very capable for creating more and more complex items in your main factory. Low complexity and high volume activities ( like smelting) can (and should) be left using belts.

The basic thing you need are Roboports. When you placed the port and hover it, you see a orange and a larger green area.

  • The orange zone is the Logistic Network area. This is also the maximum distance for connecting two roboports.
  • The green zone is the Construction area.

When the zones of two or more roboports touch or overlap they are linked together to form a single network. This will show as a dotted line between the linked roboports (if they have power).

The inner area covered by a Robotic network is identical to that of the Logistic network. You see that also, when you build a roboport, if the Roboports are connected. All Logistic network/Chests inside the area are connected and build the Logistic network. Imagine the logistic chests send their containments to the Roboports.

There can be many separate logistic networks. Two roboports are in the same network if you could fly from one to the other without leaving logistic network coverage. To prevent roboports from linking, you need to build them far enough away from each other so that the orange zones don't touch. If you don't link a roboport, the construction area isn't linked, too!

Bots do normally not fly from one network into another (exception: when running out of charge).

How it works

Place some logistic bots anywhere or in a Roboport, they will immediately begin to work.

The logistic bots try to fulfill the configured requests (requester chest) by moving items from storage- or provider chest to requester chest or from provider- to requester chest.

Order of movement

The bots fulfil all requests with the same priority. The algorithm looks for the next free robot, then the next request in the queue and after giving orders to the robot, this request is put at the end of the queue, so that first all other requests are done. (The results are not optimal; it can happen, that the furthest next bot will be requested, even if there is a much closer. Because of this, it's recommended to use the bots not for high throughput. For that the Railway network is much more useful.)

Requests come from the requester chests and storage chests.

  • a requested item is first looked up in the storage chests, then in the provider chests (storage chests are emptied first)
  • if robots are free and there is space left in storage chests, and there are unrequested items in provider chests, the items are moved from provider to a storage chest.
  • if any storage chest already contains items of different type, empty storage chests are filled first. This should prevent having storage chests with different items inside.

In other words: the storage chests are filled last, emptied first and try to store the items they already have.

Danger of losing bots

Biters love bots!

Also - pay attention to robotic networks which form some kind of U-shape (where the shortest way between two chests goes over an uncovered area): if a bot runs out of charge in this area, and could not return fast enough to a roboport, the bot falls to the ground and will be destroyed (along with anything it was carrying). This behaviour may change in future.

Advanced

Network info

A Logistic network knows the numbers of all Items stored in all logistic chests and also the number of all items currently carried by Logistic robots. This information can be seen by hovering over a logistic chest: you see the sum of all items in logistic chests or on the way in this logistic network.

Negative numbers

For some reasons, you can see negative numbers in the network info. This is not a bug. This means, that the bots can transport more than available (Logistic robot cargo).

See also