Overview
This guide is to try and help fill the information gaps on the Mass Storage System found in game.
What is Mass Storage and Basic Info
Mass Storage, shortened to MS, is FCE’s answer to storing massive amount of items with as little logistic trouble as possible, which is where using a large number of hoppers fails.
Mass Storage’s basic purposes
- A cheap and easily expanded storage
- A buffer for production lines
- For the mass storage of mass produced items
- A logistics wonder if you have the tech and know how
Mass Storage has many uses, but is far more complicated than the standard hopper to set up requiring a minimum of 3 different block types.
The 4 Basic Parts of Mass Storage
As said previously, MS has several parts to it in fact 4 basic block types that make up the MS.
Mass Storage’s 4 block types
- Mass Storage Block
- Input Port
- Output port
- Stocking Port
Core Component: Mass Storage Block
This is the block where items are physically stored in a MS system.
- Cheap to Build: 2 Lightweight Machine Frames (12 tin bars)
- Each touching MS Block on the same horizontal plane will link inventories as one unit
- Stores 25 items per Stack Height
A few important notes on the MS Block.
The MS Block has an adjustable height. This means that for each max height increase, up to 6 high, that particular MS Block can store 25 more items (up to 150 per block. This gives it a variable storage ability beyond adding more blocks, this is very important to know for later. This also means that it needs up to an extra 5 blocks verticle clearence for max capacity.
Also, unlike those crummy wood crates the MS Blocks will only connect horizontally. Any attempt to place them on top of each other will not link their inventories. This is why there is a verticle adjustment.
The MS Ports
The 3 port types are how you put items into and pull out of a MS System. You can not directly feed items into the MS Blocks any other way (you obviously can retrieve them via block break). All Ports come in 3 Tiers of better capacity…
- T1, also called Basic, carry 5 at a time
- T2 carry 12 at a time
- T3, also called Bulk, carry a 25 at a time
Before we go further you should know that the Input, Output, and Stocking Ports use drones. This means that they will not move items into or out of the MS unless their capacity is full. It also means they have a travel speed factor, which is why the higher tiers are often better as they dont need to move items back and forth as frequently. Also, they will only accept from or offload onto conveyors, tubes or belts, from the same directions as their belt opening.
Input Ports are the standard way of putting items into a MS System. They have one critical downside, they will continually ferry items until the MS is full. They will not stop otherwise and make a poor choice for a Mixed MS (2 or more item types in the MS) but a cheaper choice for a Pure MS (containing only 1 item type).
For Mixed MS we have Stocking Ports. These guys can be configured to have only X amount of items in the MS at a time. If the item count is less then the configured amount, they move items into the MS. NOTE This only applies to the item specified on the Stocking Port, any other item interacts with it as if were an Input Port. While Im sure you have gotten into the habit of presorting or even keeping lines seperate, this is a fact not explicitly stated about these Ports.
IMPORTANT As of the time of this writing, Stocking Ports can not be upcrafted into better tiers. Keep this in mind before you make one.
For pulling things out you have the lovely Output Port. For withdrawal of items all you must know is these guys work like Advanced Filters. You must select them with the item you want pulled out while its selected in the hotbar. This allows a Mixed MS to act as a very big filter system.
Advanced Mass Storage Knowledge, Concepts, and Methods
Your Mass Storage can be massive, but this can be as more a hinderence than a boon since the drones from the I/O Ports must manually move to and from the storage. It is recommended that each MS built be done so with the reason why. And typically stick to a square as they are easier to manage input/output points as well as keep the travel distance reletively short from any Port. Your shape isnt restricted as long as the MS Blocks touch though, so there may be situation where a non square MS is useful ie strip types for use as a filter off an elevator.
There are two primary ways MS is used.
1. Bulk Storage: If it is intended to store a vast amount of items, like fresh made bars, before being put to use than a larger set up is desirable (8 to 15 by 8 by 15) along with the stack height being high or at max (4 to 6). This also has the logistic benefit of being able to have more ports to input items as well as withdraw them for the varied purposes needed i.e. taking a Tin Bar MS and making several lines for Light Weight Machine Frames, Tin Plates, and the respective lines needed for Tin Pods from one MS (and pour all the smelted bars into one spot for these production lines). Advisable for any bar type, biomass, and crystal deposits.
2. Buffer Storage: The smaller set ups are advised so there is a stock of items on hand in an accessable manner like bulk items such as bars, but not too many, for automation. You usually need alot of these products for machines, yet no where near as many as bars themselves (and you’d rather not make all bars into items you dont need at this moment automatically). Recommended sizes of 4 to 8 by 4 to 8 and recommended height of 3 to 4. Advisable for things like but not limited to secondary crafting items such as plates, steel, and clocks, all machine blocks types (look at all those expensive alloy machine blocks), and missiles.
Mixed MS
Normally a Mixed MS is a logistics danger, unless its done with Stocking Port, as if it fills up on one type of item it will shut down any lines and machines afterwards. However, if you do use Stocking Ports than Mixed MS can prove a great boon. Its best if done for automation of items you can easy crunch math on such as Steel, Hardened Machine Blocks, and so on.
Do not make the mistake of a million item Mixed MS you cant manage or use. Breaking it apart to use again will be a nightmare.
Mass Storage Controller
This block has one purpose for you, when scanned you get the exact count of everything in your MS. If you have Frozen Factory, there is a second even more epic purpose.
Frozen Factory Mass Storage: I/O Port
This is FF only content
The I/O Port is an incredible upgrade for the MS that does 2 things.
- It combines the Input and Output Ports into one block
- Using energy, mattermits items into and out of the MS
You read that right, no travel time on this bad boy. However, it shares the same power hungry nature as the Matter Movers. There is a shockingly awesome feature to this machine, you can connect any production machine right to it to pull items into it instantly, than immediately push back into the MS. That means even less logistics for manufacturing purposes if you can power it and any other machine that need power. Assuming you even contemplating building one, I doubt power is an issue beyond moving it. And of course your going to build it, its freaking awesome.
To power the I/O Port, it must be connected to a Mass Storage Controller. You cant power it directly otherwise.