Recipe
1x
Iron gear
+Iron gear1x
Iron plate
→Iron plate1x
Automation science
Automation scienceAssembler Math
| Production Goal | Assemblers Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 SP (science pack) per second | 1 assembler | Slow, hand-fed |
| 5 SPM (sustainable) | 5 assemblers | Needs iron plate belt |
| 10 SPM | 10 assemblers + 1 gear assembler | Typical early game |
Tip: Red science is cheap. Don’t overthink it. 10 assemblers producing red science is more than enough to push through to green science and beyond.
How to Automate
- Belt iron plates into the assembler
- Belt iron gears into the assembler (or hand-craft a few stacks)
- Use an inserter to pull completed science packs into a chest or directly into lab input
Common mistake: New players often forget that labs need both science packs AND power. Check that your lab has an inserter feeding it!
Your red science setup should sit as a side-factory pulling from the main bus alongside your furnace columns. Here’s what to research next:
Research Priority After Red Science
- Steel processing — unlocks steel plates
- Engine — unlocks engine units (needed for blue science)
- Automation 2 — unlocks electric mining drill
- Logistics — unlocks green science (electronic circuit + iron gear)
Next: Green Science Guide — the second tier.