Machines and Automation
Solarpunk machines reference for crafting table, research table, furnace, energy furnace, recycler, forester, transport drone, sprinkler, batteries, and generators.
Machines should be added in the order they remove real friction: crafting, research, water, furnace, power, then automation.
| Machine | Use |
|---|---|
| Crafting Table | First real crafting station; one of the early quest steps asks you to craft and place it. |
| Advanced Crafting Table | Later crafting station for advanced recipes. |
| Research Table | Used to research and unlock new crafting recipes. |
| Campfire | Early fire source for basic survival and cooking-adjacent setup. |
| Furnace | Crafts glass and other useful resources. |
| Energy Furnace | A furnace that runs on energy. |
| Rain Collector | Collects clean rainwater for drinking. |
| Well | Provides water for the water can; well water is dirty and cannot be drunk directly. |
| Recycler | Decomposes items back into crafting parts. |
| Uncrafter | Reverse-crafting style machine listed in recipes. |
| Forester | Automatically produces wood. |
| Transport Drone | Transports resources, including routes between islands; after naming it, select it from drills to choose pickup and base delivery. |
| Magnetic Fisher | Retrieves resources from water and sometimes pulls non-magnetic items too. |
| Sprinkler | Automatically pumps water from the ground and waters surrounding fields. |
| Battery | Automatically stores excess electricity and releases it when needed; each battery has limited energy intake and output. |
| Generator | Energy source for powered bases. |
| Solar Panel | Generates energy when exposed to the sun. |
| Windmill | Produces energy based on current wind strength. |
| Sky Turbine | Large turbine that produces a lot of energy. |
| Cable Connector Small | Cable connector used to link energy networks. |
| Daytime Sensor | Energy sensor used for time-based switching. |
| Rain Sensor | Energy sensor used for weather-based switching. |
| Weather Station | Weather and switching device unlocked with the weather station research path. |
| Logic Block | Energy logic device used with sensors to open or close connections. |
| Incubator | Powered animal progression station unlocked after the base has energy and animal systems moving. |
| Network Display | Overview device for power networks. |
| Wireless Connector | Wireless connector used in powered base layouts. |
| Wireless Sprinkler | Sprinkler variant tied to wireless power. |
Mechanics Worth Knowing
- Batteries store excess power and release it when production drops; each battery has intake and output limits.
- A device that shows information about the connected energy network.
- Sprinklers automatically water nearby fields.
- Battery capacity upgrade increases maximum storage from 2,200 to 3,500.
- Battery capacity upgrade increases maximum storage from 3,500 to 5,500.
- Battery capacity upgrade increases maximum storage from 5,500 to 8,000.
- This device can, for example, turn lights or sprinklers on and off depending on time and weather. For example: Connect your lamps on one side and the power source on the other side. Then connect a day/night sensor in the middle that opens and closes the energy circuit when it turns on/off. If you want the lights on during the day instead of at night, use the button to invert the input signal.
- A feeding trough holds food for animals.
- A water trough for animals can be filled with a water can and also fills automatically during rain.
- An animal receiving station marks the destination for animal transport.
- Animals automatically stay near their feeding trough as long as it’s filled.
- Animals can be transported to other places using an animal transporter. Place the base where you want to bring them, then use the transporter to move the animal to that base.
How To Use This Reference
Machines should be placed around the route they improve. A research table belongs near materials; a furnace belongs near ore and storage; batteries belong near the power network; sprinklers belong near fields; transport drones need a sensible source and destination. A machine in the wrong place saves less time than it costs.
Related
Crafting Machines And Materials, Energy And Logic, Automation, Energy System, Energy Network Parts