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Inserters: Difference between revisions

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''For the common yellow electrical inserter, see [[Inserter]].''
''For the common yellow electrical inserter, see [[Inserter]].''


'''Inserters''' are devices which are used to move items over short distances. When placed, they have a fixed direction. They can move items from behind and place them in front of them. By doing this, they can move items from one transport belt to another, but also extract items from—and insert items into—machines or storage devices. There are seven types of inserters, all requiring electricity to run (except the Burner Inserter, which burns [[Fuel|fuel]]).
'''Inserters''' are devices which are used to move items over short distances. When placed, they have a fixed direction. They can move items from behind and place them in front of them. By doing this, they can move items from one transport belt to another, but also extract items from—and insert items into—machines or storage devices.


== Types Of Inserters ==
== Types of inserters ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter|Burner inserter}} || The only [[fuel]]-powered inserter.
| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || The only [[fuel]]-powered inserter, with the slowest speed.
|-
|-
| {{Imagelink|Inserter|Inserter}} || The standard electrical inserter.
| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || The standard electrical inserter.
|-
|-
| {{Imagelink|Long handed inserter|Long handed inserter}} || Capable of inserting and removing items from a greater distance.
| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || Capable of inserting and removing items from a greater distance.
|-
|-
| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter|Fast inserter}} || Much faster than the Basic inserter.
| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}} || Much faster than the inserter.
|-
|-
| {{Imagelink|Filter inserter|Filter inserter}} || Variant of the Fast inserter that can filter items by type.
| {{Imagelink|Filter inserter}} || Variant of the fast inserter that can filter items by type.
|-
|-
| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}} || As fast as the Fast inserter but can move many more items at the same time.
| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter}} || As fast as the fast inserter, but can move many more items at the same time at once.  
|-
|-
| {{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || Variant of the Stack inserter that can filter items by type.
| {{imagelink|Stack filter inserter}} || Variant of the stack inserter that can filter items by type.
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 25: Line 25:
==Mechanics==
==Mechanics==
Inserters '''will''':
Inserters '''will''':
* '''Pick up''' Items off the ground, off of a [[Transport belts|Transport belt]], or from any object that has storage space, including [[Chests|chests]], [[furnace]]s and [[assembling machine]]s.
* Pick up items off the ground, off of a [[Transport belts|transport belt]], or from any object that has storage space, including [[Chests|chests]], [[furnace]]s and [[assembling machine]]s.
* '''Place''' the item onto the ground, onto a transport belt, or into any object that has storage space.
* Place the item onto the ground, onto a transport belt, or into any object that has storage space.
* Run at slower speeds when starved for energy.
* Run at slower speeds when starved for energy.
* Pick up as many items as their [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|stack size]] allows at once, if they do not have to wait too long to pick them up.


Inserters will '''not''':
Inserters '''will not''':
* Pick up any items that can not be inserted into the adjacent entity.
* Pick up any items that can not be inserted into the adjacent entity.
* Pick up any items if the adjacent entity is a blueprint.
* Pick up items to place into an entity with a full inventory.
* Pick up items to place into an entity with a full inventory.
* Place more than one item at a time onto the same ground tile.
* Place more than one item at a time onto the same ground tile.
* Place items into a stack limited inventory, beyond the stack limit (red slots).
* Place items into an entity that can not hold them, for example due to [[Stack#Filtered_stacks|filtered]] or [[Stack#Stack_limitation|limited slots]].
* Fill up the entire target inventory of [[boiler]]s, [[nuclear reactor]]s, [[:Category:Producers|production building]]s, [[furnace]]s, and [[turret]]s.


Inserters act differently depending on what they are moving items to/into so as not to monopolize all of the items being picked up. This allows other machines and inserters on the same transport belt to pick up a share of the items. If two inserters are picking up from the same tile, the first placed inserter has priority.
If two or more inserters are picking up from the same tile, the inserter who can grab the items the fastest will grab them first. Besides faster inserters, this favors inserters taking from the inner lane of a transport belt.


==Insertion Limits==
=== Insertion limits ===
Inserters will stop inserting items into certain buildings if they already have enough of that item. For example, if a boiler has 5 or more items of fuel in it, an inserter will not insert additional fuel. When the fuel drops below 5 items, the inserter will continue to insert more fuel, up to the limit of 5 items.
Depending on where an inserter is moving items, it does not always fill up the entire target inventory. This allows other inserters taking from the same transport belt to pick up their share of the items. For example, if a boiler has 5 or more items of fuel in it, an inserter will not insert additional fuel. This allows the other fuel to travel further down the transport belt. When the fuel drops below 5 items, the inserter will resume inserting fuel, up to the limit of 5 items.
 
This is to allow for all machines to receive their share of items. The common limits on insertion are shown in the table below.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Entity !! Item type !! Inserter limit !! Comment
! Entity !! Item type !! Automatic insertion limit
|-
|-
| [[Boiler]]s, [[Burner inserter]]s, [[Furnace]]s || [[Fuel]] || align="center" | 5 ||
| [[Boiler]]s, [[burner inserter]]s, [[furnace]]s, and [[nuclear reactor]]s || [[Fuel]] || align="center" | 5
|-
|-
| [[Gun turret]]s || Bullet Magazines || align="center" | 10 || Since v0.8.4. Allows for 100 shots before depleting.
| [[Gun turret]]s || Bullet Magazines || align="center" | 10
|-
|-
| [[Assembling machine]]s || Items needed for the recipe || Double the number of items needed in the recipe ||
| [[Artillery turret]]s || [[Artillery shell]]s || align="center" | 5
|-
|-
| [[Furnace]]s || Items needed for the recipe || Double the number of items needed in the recipe ||
| [[Assembling machine]]s, [[furnace]]s, [[centrifuge]]s, [[chemical plant]]s, and [[Oil refinery|oil refineries]]|| Items needed for the recipe || The ingredients for 1 craft in addition to the ingredients for the number of crafts that can complete during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 crafts and at most the ingredients for 100 crafts.[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=309796#p309796]
|-
|-
| [[Lab]]s || [[Science pack]]s || Double the number of items needed for one research point ||
| [[Lab]]s || [[Science pack]]s || Double the number of science packs needed for one research unit.
|}
|}


An inserter that takes items from an object containing [[Stack|stacks]] of items (such as a chest) can overfill the target building due to the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]] research. Overfilling can also happen if  multiple inserters are used to insert items into one building.
An inserter that has a higher [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|inserter capacity bonus]] than 1 can overfill the target building, due to the inserter picking up a higher amount of items than needed. Overfilling can also occur if  multiple inserters are used to insert items into one building.


==Inserters And Transport Belt Interaction ==
=== Inserters and transport belts ===
[[Transport belts]] have two lanes on which items can travel. Inserters only place items onto one side of the belt. Which side they place it on depends on the orientation of the inserter and the belt, as described below.
[[Transport belts]] have two lanes on which items can travel. Inserters only place items onto one side of the belt, either the far side from the inserter's perspective or if the belt is going the same or the opposite direction as the inserter the right side from the belt's perspective.


<div><ul>
<li style="display:inline-block;">
{|
{|
| style="width:300px;height:345px;" | [[File:PlaceOnFarSide.gif]]  
| style="width:320px;" | [[File:Inserter_dropoff_locations.gif]] || [[File:Inserter_pickup_locations.gif]]
|-
|-
| Inserters will '''always''' place the item on the furthest lane.
| style="width:320px;" | Inserters place the item on the furthest lane. If a belt is in the same orientation as the inserter, the item will be placed on the right-hand lane, from the belt's perspective. In curves the inserter always places on the far side.
|} </li>
| style="width:320px;" | If the belt is perpendicular to the inserter, inserters '''prefer''' taking items from the nearest lane. If the nearest lane is empty, the inserter will take from the far lane. If the belt is the same/opposite orientation of the inserter or a curve, the inserter '''prefers''' taking from the left lane, from the belt's perspective. If the left lane is empty it will take from the right lane.
<li style="display: inline-block;">
|}
{|
| style="width:300px;" | [[File:TakeFromNearSide.gif]]
|-
| Inserters '''prefer''' taking items from the nearest lane. If the nearest lane is empty, the inserter will take from the far lane.
|}
</li><li style="display: inline-block;">
{|
| style="width:300px;" | [[File:PlaceOnRightSide.gif]]
|-
| If a belt is in the same orientation as the inserter, the item will be placed on the right-hand lane, from the belt's perspective.
|}
</li><li style="display: inline-block;">
{|
| style="width:300px;" | [[File:PlaceOnInsideOfCorner.gif]]
|-
| If the item is placed on a corner piece, it will be put on the inside of the curve, regardless of orientation.
|} </li>
</ul></div>
 


== Potential Issues ==
=== Potential issues ===
Inserters may have problems picking up items:
Inserters may have problems picking up items:


Line 96: Line 76:
* From turning belts if the item is on the inside of the corner
* From turning belts if the item is on the inside of the corner


==Inserter Item Stack Size Bonus==
== Power usage ==
 
If an inserter moves items from inventory to inventory (for example from an assembler into a chest), or (as of v0.13) from an inventory to a belt, it is able to transport more items at once. The secret behind this is the [[Inserter capacity bonus (research)]] research.
 
==Power Usage==
* Electric inserters drain energy even when they are not moving, as idle power
* Electric inserters drain energy even when they are not moving, as idle power
* The amount of energy used is the same for every movement
* The amount of energy used is the same for every turn
* The [[Burner inserter]] does not drain energy when idle, but uses more energy when it is active. It is quite useful for situations where the inserter does not need to move very often.
* The [[burner inserter]] does not drain energy when idle, but uses more energy when it is active.
 
==Inserter Speed==


== Inserter speed ==
[[File:all_inserter_speeds.gif|frame|right|Animation showing all inserter speeds at once.]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Type
! Type
! Rotation-speed (turns per [[Game-tick]])<br/>Extension-speed ([[Tile]]s per Tick)
! Rotation-speed (turns per [[Time#Ticks|tick]])<br/>Extension-speed ([[Map_structure#Tile|Tiles]] per Tick)
! Turns per [[Game-second]]<br/>Tiles per Game-second
! Turns per [[Time#Seconds|Game-second]]
! Game-second per full turn<br/>Game-seconds per Tile
! Game-second per full turn
! Ticks per full turn<br/>Ticks per Tile
! Ticks per full turn
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter|Burner inserter}} || 0.01<br/>0.0214 || 0.6<br/>1.284 || 1.667<br/>0.833 || 102<br/>76
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.01<br/>0.0214 || 0.60 || 1.667 || 100
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter|Inserter}} || 0.014<br/>0.03 || 0.84<br/>1.8 || 1.191<br/>0.56 || 72<br/>54
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || 0.014<br/>0.03 || 0.83 || 1.2 || 72
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long handed inserter|Long handed inserter}} || 0.02<br/>0.0457 || 1.2<br/>2.742 || 0.833<br/>0.416 || 52<br/>36
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 0.02<br/>0.0457 || 1.2 || 0.833 || 50
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|Stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || 0.04<br/>0.07 || 2.4<br/>4.2 || 0.417<br/>0.238 || 26<br/>24
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|Stack filter inserter}} || 0.04<br/>0.07 || 2.31 || 0.433 || 26
|-
|-
|}
|}
'''Note:''' These numbers come directly from the [https://github.com/wube/factorio-data/tree/master/base/prototypes/entity factorio-data github repository].


===Rotation Speed===
===Rotation Speed===
Line 134: Line 112:
==Inserter Throughput==
==Inserter Throughput==


The following is based on [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OzlP2v6P1OGxK1xCFr77aqVfNNEaEKHlA89aSVmqBGw/edit?usp=sharing experimental data] gathered in version 0.15.
The following is based on experimental data from [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q4hxL69qrK3qeEKU8aDkuwM3gJy6I2dJ4FYSs-FQUpI/edit?usp=sharing 0.18].   
Most of the 0.18 experimental data was gathered using the following circuit blueprint to measure the exact tick difference between inserter swings. A lot of the data on this page (specifically the belt to chest data) relies heavily on the conditions of the setup on which the measurements are done. If your setup differs from the ones tested on this page, you can use the following blueprint to do the measurements yourself.


Inserter throughput between chests and other [[stack|stacks]] is a simple function of stack size and arm speed:
{{BlueprintString|bp-string=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}}


<blockquote>
===Chest to chest===
''n'' = Stack size


''t_arm'' = Time to move the arm back and forth
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 0.18
 
Time per item = ''t_arm'' / ''n''
 
Throughput (items/sec) = 1 / Time per item = ''n'' / ''t_arm''
</blockquote>
 
When moving items to or from belts, the time to pick up or put down items also becomes a factor:
 
<blockquote>
''t_item'' = Time to pick up or put down one item
 
''t_cycle'' = Time to complete an arm cycle = ''t_arm'' + ''n''*''t_item''
 
Time per item = ''t_cycle'' / ''n'' = ''t_item'' + ''t_arm'' / ''n''
 
Throughput (items/sec) = 1 / (''t_item'' + ''t_arm'' / ''n'')
</blockquote>
 
'''Note:''' [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?t=9141#p280529 Before 0.15.14], inserters were 1-4% less efficient when moving items from south to north.
 
===Chest to chest===


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 173: Line 130:
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan=2 | Capacity bonus 7
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter|Burner inserter}} || 0.59 || 0.59 || (1) || 1.18 || (2) || 1.76 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.60 || 0.60 || (1) || 1.20 || (2) || 1.80 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter|Inserter}} || 0.83 || 0.83 || (1) || 1.67 || (2) || 2.50 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || 0.83 || 0.83 || (1) || 1.67 || (2) || 2.50 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long handed inserter|Long handed inserter}} || 1.15 || 1.15 || (1) || 2.31 || (2) || 3.46 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 1.20 || 1.20 || (1) || 2.40 || (2) || 3.60 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter|Filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 2.31 || (1) || 4.62 || (2) || 6.93 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 2.31 || (1) || 4.62 || (2) || 6.92 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 4.62 || (2) || 9.23 || (4) || 27.70 || (12)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|Stack filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 4.62 || (2) || 9.23 || (4) || 27.69 || (12)
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 187: Line 144:
===Chest to belt===
===Chest to belt===


Throughput going from chest to belt depends on how full the belt is and how the items are spaced, i.e. if spaces are large enough to fill with items. Underground entrances and exits also makes it easier for the inserter to put down an item.
Throughput going from chest to belt depends on how full the belt is. An inserter will not put down an item on a belt that have items back-to-back (aka full compression) - it waits until there is a gap. However, if the gap is narrower than the item then the items upstream on the belt will stop to make room for the item being inserted. The direction of the belt compared to the inserter does not matter however.


In these measurements inserters move items onto an empty perpendicular belt. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.
In these measurements inserters move items onto an empty belt. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]] levels.
 
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 0.18


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 199: Line 158:
! colspan=4 | Capacity bonus 7
! colspan=4 | Capacity bonus 7
|-
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]] ||
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]] ||
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter|Burner inserter}} || 0.59 || 0.59 || 0.59 || (1) || 1.10 || 1.13 || 1.14 || (2) || 1.53 || 1.62 || 1.67 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.60 || 0.60 || 0.60 || (1) || 1.19 || 1.19 || 1.19 || (2) || 1.67 || 1.73 || 1.76 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter|Inserter}} || 0.83 || 0.83 || 0.83 || (1) || 1.52 || 1.58 || 1.60 || (2) || 2.05 || 2.22 || 2.31 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || 0.83 || 0.83 || 0.83 || (1) || 1.64 || 1.64 || 1.64 || (2) || 2.25 || 2.37 || 2.43 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long handed inserter|Long handed inserter}} || 1.15 || 1.15 || 1.15 || (1) || 2.03 || 2.14 || 2.18 || (2) || 2.65 || 2.95 || 3.10 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 1.20 || 1.20 || 1.20 || (1) || 2.35 || 2.35 || 2.35 || (2) || 3.10 || 3.33 || 3.46 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter|Filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 2.31 || 2.31 || (1) || 3.64 || 4.00 || 4.14 || (2) || 4.29 || 5.14 || 5.63 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter}} || 2.31 || 2.31 || 2.31 || (1) || 4.44 || 4.44 || 4.44 || (2) || 5.29 || 6.00 || 6.43 || (3)
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || 3.64 || 4.00 || 4.14 || (2) || 4.71 || 6.15 || 6.86 || (4) || 5.90 || 9.60 || 12.20 || (12)
|-
|}
 
To calculate the throughput for [[Stack inserter]] and [[Stack filter inserter]] at any capacity level, you can use these linearly fitted factors with the belt/chest throughput formula above:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan=2 | Type
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Transport belt|Transport belt}}
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Fast transport belt|Fast transport belt}}
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Express transport belt|Express transport belt}}
|-
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || 0.142 || 0.292 || 0.073 || 0.360 || 0.049 || 0.384
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|Stack filter inserter}} || 4.44 || 4.44 || 4.44 || (2) || 5.71 || 7.06 || 7.74 || (4) || 6.79 || 10.91 || 13.85 || (12)
|-
|-
|}
|}


See the [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OzlP2v6P1OGxK1xCFr77aqVfNNEaEKHlA89aSVmqBGw/edit?usp=sharing source spreadsheet] for the corresponding factors for the other inserter types. Their errors are generally well below 1%.
===Belt to chest (perpendicular)===


===Belt to chest===
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 0.18


When picking items from a belt, many more factors come into play besides belt fullness:
When picking items from a belt, many more factors come into play besides belt fullness:
Line 264: Line 207:
! rowspan=2 |
! rowspan=2 |
|-
|-
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt]]
! [[File:Transport belt.png|link=Transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Fast transport belt.png|link=Fast transport belt|32px]] || [[File:Express transport belt.png|link=Express transport belt|32px]]
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter|Burner inserter}} || '''0.56''' || '''0.56''' || 0.51 || 0.65 || (1) || '''1.11''' || 1.07 || 0.98 || 1.18 || (2) || 1.43 || '''1.54''' || 1.43 || 1.75 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Burner inserter}} || 0.60 || '''0.65''' || 0.50 || 0.64 || (1) || 1.11 || '''1.20''' || 1.13 || 1.26 || (2) || 1.61 || 1.61 || '''1.65''' || 1.71 /<br/>1.73 /<br/>1.86 * || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter|Inserter}} || '''0.83''' || 0.74 || 0.77 || 0.90 || (1) || '''1.57''' || 1.48 || 1.45 || 1.62 || (2) || 2.00 || '''2.11''' || 2.07 || 2.40 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Inserter}} || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || '''0.94''' || 0.88 || (1) || '''1.67''' || '''1.67''' || 1.50 || 1.74 || (2) || '''2.50''' || 2.25 || 2.33 || 2.37 /<br/>2.37 /<br/>2.54 * || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long handed inserter|Long handed inserter}} || '''1.16''' || 1.11 || 1.11 || 1.22 || (1) || 2.22 || '''2.22''' || 2.11 || 2.31 || (2) || 3.08 || 3.08 || '''3.16''' || 3.33 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Long-handed inserter}} || 1.18 || 1.18 || '''1.25''' || 1.20 || (1) || 2.20 || 2.31 || '''2.40''' || 2.40 || (2) || 3.21 || 3.21 || '''3.46''' || 3.40 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter|Filter inserter}} || '''2.22''' || '''2.22''' || 2.14 || 2.40 || (1) || '''4.17''' || 3.81 || 4.00 || 4.29 || (2) || '''5.71''' || 5.45 || 5.46 || 6.21 || (3)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Fast inserter}}<br/>{{Imagelink|Filter inserter}} || '''2.50''' || 2.31 || '''2.50''' || 2.50 || (1) || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || '''6.43''' || 6.00 || '''6.43''' || 6.43 || (3)
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || '''4.17''' || 3.81 || 4.00 || 4.29 || (2) || '''6.67''' || '''6.67''' || 6.15 || 6.67 /<br/>7.50 /<br/>7.74 * || (4) || 6.67 || 10.00 || '''12.00''' || 6.67 /<br/>11.61 /<br/>13.58 * || (12)
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|Stack filter inserter}} || 4.50 || 4.29 || '''5.00''' || 4.80 || (2) || 7.50 || 7.50 || '''8.00''' || 7.50 /<br/>8.57 /<br/>8.28 * || (4) || 7.50 || 11.25 || '''15.00''' || 7.50 /<br/>13.09 /<br/>15.32 * || (12)
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 287: Line 230:
* When items are queued up the belt type hardly matters, so there is only a single column for that. The exceptions are the stack inserters - for basic transport belts it's the belt that sets the limit for stack sizes above 4, and there is also a notable difference between fast and express belts.
* When items are queued up the belt type hardly matters, so there is only a single column for that. The exceptions are the stack inserters - for basic transport belts it's the belt that sets the limit for stack sizes above 4, and there is also a notable difference between fast and express belts.


Here are linearly fitted factors to get the [[Stack inserter]] and [[Stack filter inserter]] throughput at any capacity level, by using the belt/chest throughput formula above:
=== Belt to Chest (facing inserter) ===


{| class="wikitable"
'''Note:''' Experimental data from 0.18
! rowspan=2 | Type
 
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Transport belt|Transport belt}}
When picking up items from a belt facing the inserter, there are multiple small differences between different setups. The following throughput tests are performed with [[express transport belt]]s and [[stack inserter]]s with the maximum [[inserter capacity bonus (research)|capacity bonus]].
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Fast transport belt|Fast transport belt}}
Each setup in the following picture shows the amount of ticks per cycle of the inserter and the amount of items per second the inserter moves. These measurements are consistent in all orientations of the setup.
! colspan=2 | {{Imagelink|Express transport belt|Express transport belt}}
|-
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
! ''t_item'' || ''t_arm''
|- align="center"
| align="left"| {{Imagelink|Stack inserter|Stack inserter}}<br/>{{imagelink|stack_filter_inserter|Stack filter inserter}} || 0.045* || 0.403* || 0.063 || 0.387 || 0.049 || 0.416
|-
|}


<nowiki>*)</nowiki> Since the belt is the limiting factor above stack size 4, these figures are only accurate up to that size. More than that and the throughput is fixed at 6.67 items per second.
[[File:Inserter_belt_to_chest_throughput.png|900px]]


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 10:31, 25 February 2021

For the common yellow electrical inserter, see Inserter.

Inserters are devices which are used to move items over short distances. When placed, they have a fixed direction. They can move items from behind and place them in front of them. By doing this, they can move items from one transport belt to another, but also extract items from—and insert items into—machines or storage devices.

Types of inserters

Burner inserter.png
Burner inserter
The only fuel-powered inserter, with the slowest speed.
Inserter.png
Inserter
The standard electrical inserter.
Long-handed inserter.png
Long-handed inserter
Capable of inserting and removing items from a greater distance.
Fast inserter.png
Fast inserter
Much faster than the inserter.
Filter inserter.png
Filter inserter
Variant of the fast inserter that can filter items by type.
Stack inserter.png
Stack inserter
As fast as the fast inserter, but can move many more items at the same time at once.
Stack filter inserter.png
Stack filter inserter
Variant of the stack inserter that can filter items by type.

Mechanics

Inserters will:

  • Pick up items off the ground, off of a transport belt, or from any object that has storage space, including chests, furnaces and assembling machines.
  • Place the item onto the ground, onto a transport belt, or into any object that has storage space.
  • Run at slower speeds when starved for energy.
  • Pick up as many items as their stack size allows at once, if they do not have to wait too long to pick them up.

Inserters will not:

  • Pick up any items that can not be inserted into the adjacent entity.
  • Pick up any items if the adjacent entity is a blueprint.
  • Pick up items to place into an entity with a full inventory.
  • Place more than one item at a time onto the same ground tile.
  • Place items into an entity that can not hold them, for example due to filtered or limited slots.
  • Fill up the entire target inventory of boilers, nuclear reactors, production buildings, furnaces, and turrets.

If two or more inserters are picking up from the same tile, the inserter who can grab the items the fastest will grab them first. Besides faster inserters, this favors inserters taking from the inner lane of a transport belt.

Insertion limits

Depending on where an inserter is moving items, it does not always fill up the entire target inventory. This allows other inserters taking from the same transport belt to pick up their share of the items. For example, if a boiler has 5 or more items of fuel in it, an inserter will not insert additional fuel. This allows the other fuel to travel further down the transport belt. When the fuel drops below 5 items, the inserter will resume inserting fuel, up to the limit of 5 items.

Entity Item type Automatic insertion limit
Boilers, burner inserters, furnaces, and nuclear reactors Fuel 5
Gun turrets Bullet Magazines 10
Artillery turrets Artillery shells 5
Assembling machines, furnaces, centrifuges, chemical plants, and oil refineries Items needed for the recipe The ingredients for 1 craft in addition to the ingredients for the number of crafts that can complete during one full inserter swing; but at least the ingredients for 2 crafts and at most the ingredients for 100 crafts.[1]
Labs Science packs Double the number of science packs needed for one research unit.

An inserter that has a higher inserter capacity bonus than 1 can overfill the target building, due to the inserter picking up a higher amount of items than needed. Overfilling can also occur if multiple inserters are used to insert items into one building.

Inserters and transport belts

Transport belts have two lanes on which items can travel. Inserters only place items onto one side of the belt, either the far side from the inserter's perspective or if the belt is going the same or the opposite direction as the inserter the right side from the belt's perspective.

Inserter dropoff locations.gif Inserter pickup locations.gif
Inserters place the item on the furthest lane. If a belt is in the same orientation as the inserter, the item will be placed on the right-hand lane, from the belt's perspective. In curves the inserter always places on the far side. If the belt is perpendicular to the inserter, inserters prefer taking items from the nearest lane. If the nearest lane is empty, the inserter will take from the far lane. If the belt is the same/opposite orientation of the inserter or a curve, the inserter prefers taking from the left lane, from the belt's perspective. If the left lane is empty it will take from the right lane.

Potential issues

Inserters may have problems picking up items:

  • From very fast belts, because the items are moving too quickly.
  • From the entry or exit of an underground belt (because the time they have to pick up is shorter)
  • From turning belts if the item is on the inside of the corner

Power usage

  • Electric inserters drain energy even when they are not moving, as idle power
  • The amount of energy used is the same for every turn
  • The burner inserter does not drain energy when idle, but uses more energy when it is active.

Inserter speed

Animation showing all inserter speeds at once.
Type Rotation-speed (turns per tick)
Extension-speed (Tiles per Tick)
Turns per Game-second Game-second per full turn Ticks per full turn
Burner inserter.png
Burner inserter
0.01
0.0214
0.60 1.667 100
Inserter.png
Inserter
0.014
0.03
0.83 1.2 72
Long-handed inserter.png
Long-handed inserter
0.02
0.0457
1.2 0.833 50
Fast inserter.png
Fast inserter
Filter inserter.png
Filter inserter
Stack inserter.png
Stack inserter
Stack filter inserter.png
Stack filter inserter
0.04
0.07
2.31 0.433 26

Note: These numbers come directly from the factorio-data github repository.

Rotation Speed

Convention: 2π rad = 100% of a circle rotation = 1 turn (or one full rotation).

Note: an Inserter doesn't always need to make full turns. When grabbing from a transport belt, it is slightly faster when grabbing items from the closest lane.

Extension Speed

The extension-speed is normally not visible (only when compared to other inserters), but there are measurable speed differences when taking - for example - from the near or the far side of a belt. Also Some mods can alter the pickup and drop locations of inserters, making this stat more relevant.

Inserter Throughput

The following is based on experimental data from 0.18. Most of the 0.18 experimental data was gathered using the following circuit blueprint to measure the exact tick difference between inserter swings. A lot of the data on this page (specifically the belt to chest data) relies heavily on the conditions of the setup on which the measurements are done. If your setup differs from the ones tested on this page, you can use the following blueprint to do the measurements yourself.

Blueprint.png  Copy blueprint string

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

Chest to chest

Note: Experimental data from 0.18

Type Arm cycles per second Items/second at capacity bonus level (stack size)
No capacity bonus Capacity bonus 2 Capacity bonus 7
Burner inserter.png
Burner inserter
0.60 0.60 (1) 1.20 (2) 1.80 (3)
Inserter.png
Inserter
0.83 0.83 (1) 1.67 (2) 2.50 (3)
Long-handed inserter.png
Long-handed inserter
1.20 1.20 (1) 2.40 (2) 3.60 (3)
Fast inserter.png
Fast inserter
Filter inserter.png
Filter inserter
2.31 2.31 (1) 4.62 (2) 6.92 (3)
Stack inserter.png
Stack inserter
Stack filter inserter.png
Stack filter inserter
2.31 4.62 (2) 9.23 (4) 27.69 (12)

Chest to belt

Throughput going from chest to belt depends on how full the belt is. An inserter will not put down an item on a belt that have items back-to-back (aka full compression) - it waits until there is a gap. However, if the gap is narrower than the item then the items upstream on the belt will stop to make room for the item being inserted. The direction of the belt compared to the inserter does not matter however.

In these measurements inserters move items onto an empty belt. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different capacity bonus levels.

Note: Experimental data from 0.18

Type Items/second at capacity bonus level (stack size)
No capacity bonus Capacity bonus 2 Capacity bonus 7
Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png
Burner inserter.png
Burner inserter
0.60 0.60 0.60 (1) 1.19 1.19 1.19 (2) 1.67 1.73 1.76 (3)
Inserter.png
Inserter
0.83 0.83 0.83 (1) 1.64 1.64 1.64 (2) 2.25 2.37 2.43 (3)
Long-handed inserter.png
Long-handed inserter
1.20 1.20 1.20 (1) 2.35 2.35 2.35 (2) 3.10 3.33 3.46 (3)
Fast inserter.png
Fast inserter
Filter inserter.png
Filter inserter
2.31 2.31 2.31 (1) 4.44 4.44 4.44 (2) 5.29 6.00 6.43 (3)
Stack inserter.png
Stack inserter
Stack filter inserter.png
Stack filter inserter
4.44 4.44 4.44 (2) 5.71 7.06 7.74 (4) 6.79 10.91 13.85 (12)

Belt to chest (perpendicular)

Note: Experimental data from 0.18

When picking items from a belt, many more factors come into play besides belt fullness:

  • How fast the items move (i.e. if they are queued up on the belt or move at belt speed).
  • Whether the belt is perpendicular to the inserter or approaches it head on.
  • Whether items are on the near or far lane of a perpendicular belt.
  • Whether the belt turns or not, and whether the items are in the inner or outer side of the bend.
  • If the belt is an underground entrance or exit. This shortens the time items are visible to the inserter for pickup.
  • All sorts of intricate timing factors between the inserter and the items on the belt, since the game simulates the arm homing in on every item.

The test setup used below is with an inserter taking items from a perpendicular belt with items on the far lane only. The belt is fully compressed and timings are both for items that move at full speed and queued up as much as possible. Values are given for the stack sizes at three different capacity bonus levels.

Type Items/second at capacity bonus level (stack size)
No capacity bonus Capacity bonus 2 Capacity bonus 7
Items at
belt speed
Items
queued
up
Items at
belt speed
Items
queued
up
Items at
belt speed
Items
queued
up
Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png Transport belt.png Fast transport belt.png Express transport belt.png
Burner inserter.png
Burner inserter
0.60 0.65 0.50 0.64 (1) 1.11 1.20 1.13 1.26 (2) 1.61 1.61 1.65 1.71 /
1.73 /
1.86 *
(3)
Inserter.png
Inserter
0.94 0.94 0.94 0.88 (1) 1.67 1.67 1.50 1.74 (2) 2.50 2.25 2.33 2.37 /
2.37 /
2.54 *
(3)
Long-handed inserter.png
Long-handed inserter
1.18 1.18 1.25 1.20 (1) 2.20 2.31 2.40 2.40 (2) 3.21 3.21 3.46 3.40 (3)
Fast inserter.png
Fast inserter
Filter inserter.png
Filter inserter
2.50 2.31 2.50 2.50 (1) 4.50 4.29 5.00 4.80 (2) 6.43 6.00 6.43 6.43 (3)
Stack inserter.png
Stack inserter
Stack filter inserter.png
Stack filter inserter
4.50 4.29 5.00 4.80 (2) 7.50 7.50 8.00 7.50 /
8.57 /
8.28 *
(4) 7.50 11.25 15.00 7.50 /
13.09 /
15.32 *
(12)

*) Throughput for basic/fast/express belt.

Since there are many more factors involved, these measurements exhibit a more complex pattern than chest-to-belt.

  • Boldface cells show for which belt each inserter has the best throughput on each bonus level when items move at belt speed. Higher speed belts mean that inserters have to work harder to catch the fast moving items. The effect is most noticeable for slower inserters and smaller stack sizes.
  • When items are queued up the belt type hardly matters, so there is only a single column for that. The exceptions are the stack inserters - for basic transport belts it's the belt that sets the limit for stack sizes above 4, and there is also a notable difference between fast and express belts.

Belt to Chest (facing inserter)

Note: Experimental data from 0.18

When picking up items from a belt facing the inserter, there are multiple small differences between different setups. The following throughput tests are performed with express transport belts and stack inserters with the maximum capacity bonus. Each setup in the following picture shows the amount of ticks per cycle of the inserter and the amount of items per second the inserter moves. These measurements are consistent in all orientations of the setup.

Inserter belt to chest throughput.png

See Also