Intro to Building Production Lines
2026-05-09
Explains DSP production layouts—Bus, Sushi, and Mall—with layout guidelines for each phase and criteria for switching Mk.I/II/III.
Three mainstream layouts
1. Bus method (recommended early→mid game)
Run several long belts in parallel and use Sorters to branch off to each production block. Often called the "Main Bus" in wiki/common terms.
- Pros: Easy to expand, easy to understand by "train of thought"
- Cons: If you expand later, the Bus can become too short
Recommended width: 6 parallel belts (Iron / Copper / Steel / Stone / Coal / reserved 1). Replace all belts with Mk.II once you can obtain Mk.II belts.
2. Sushi method (mid→late game, high density)
Place multiple items on a single belt and have Sorters pick up only what’s needed. Wiring is drastically reduced, but you need Splitters (D-style splitters) configured to "allow only specific items" to pass.
- Pros: Minimal footprint
- Cons: Harder to lay out, debugging logistics stalls is tedious
3. Mall method (late game)
Constantly craft commonly used finished goods in the build menu (examples: Mk.III Sorter / Mk.III Belt / Solar Sail / Logistics Drone) and store them in boxes; withdraw via Logistics Stations when needed. This eliminates repeatedly crafting hundreds of Iron Ingots and makes life comfortable.
When to switch Mk.I/II/III
| Mk | Belt | Sorter | Assembler | Smelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 6 / s | 1.5 / s | speed 0.75x | 1x |
| II | 12 / s | 3 / s | speed 1x | 2x |
| III | 30 / s | 6 / s | speed 1.5x | 3x |
Switch timing:
- Full Mk.II replacement: After the yellow matrix is stable (Mk.II Assembler unlocked)
- Full Mk.III replacement: In the purple matrix stage, after Particle Container and Quantum Chip supply is stable
Rather than forcing Mk.III early, aiming for Mk.II stability then gradually replacing with Mk.III is time-saving.
Where to use Proliferators
If you apply a Mk.III Proliferator (blue) to an ingredient, depending on the mode:
- Production speed (+50%): processing time ×0.66, but power +50%
- Extra output (+25%): same input, output ×1.25
The extra output mode is overwhelmingly better (input doesn’t increase; applying at the ends of full craft chains yields exponential savings). Early game, get used to Mk.I/II Proliferators first and substitute Coal with Plant Fuel / refine surplus Hydrogen, etc.