Automatic cargo transfer between 2 stations

[random_01 [HUN]]

Can somone help me how to do that?

[casualsailor]

A long time ago, I tried to use remote blocks, timer blocks and programmable blocks to pilot a cargo ship between two stations in space. I was unsuccessful. The autopilot would routinely get fouled up and my cargo ship would either turn sideways and crash into my station or it would hit a waypoint and just spin.

I consulted a Keen workshop item I'd previously seen which demonstrated how to get a small grid ship to travel between and dock with two stations but even they removed this item from the workshop.

That said, it's not too difficult to describe. Just know that you might be wasting your time.

Let's assume your cargo ship is docked with a connector at one of your stations. We'll call it Station A.

Set a timer block to undock your ship's connector and power it off and then activate the autopilot of the remote.

The autopilot of the remote will be set to move thru a set of waypoints that will ultimatetly bring your ship's connector into close proximity to Station B's connector.

At that time another timer block will be set to power on and activate the docking on the connector and then wait an appropriate number of seconds to allow cargo to be transfered. the first timer block will be activated which will again undock your ship and activate the autopilot for the return trip.

If you are transfering cargo from Station A to Station B then you'll need the programmable block on A to scan for the presence of your ship (by looking for a uniquely named block like an antenna or beacon). Upon finding it the PB will transfer the required materials from the stations cargo containers to the ship. This can be as simple or as complex as you require.

The PB on Station B likewise would scan for the ship and upon finding it transfer the cargo between the ship and station.

The transfer would take place during the delay setup in your timer block following docking and before undocking.

[Cruel Sun]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1336618938 maybe helps you

[random_01 [HUN]]

Dear Fellow Engineers,

You don not know how much I appreciated this two post.
Once I managed to find a solution for this problem, but I did not save the configuration.

My setup was the following:

The aim was to transfer ore between the mine asteroid and the base (asteroid) automatically.
Because I had design trouble to place the RC module over the connector I used the easy docking script on both side.
I marked two approach coordinate ( in_01, in_02, out_01and out_02 in front of the docking rings. Theoretically the RC was set to one way, no CA. I used 4 TB on both side. Let say “in” load side and “out” unload side.
When the RC reach the “in side” at “in_01” docking position the TB_01 stop the AP, turn CA off, start the easy docking script, and start the TB_02. So it will dock nicely (thanks for the script). The TB_02 after a while (I gave 30 sec to load) unlock the connector and it should head for the second approach coordinate. In my case, I had to change the RC direction to up, and at the second approach position I set it back to forward. I noticed that the RC AP have a strange behaviour so with the last 2 TB I turn the AP off and on after 10 sec on. I need 10 sec until the ship reach the zero speed, otherwise it will continue the strange behaviour. Strange behaviour means: every thruster at full capacity in every direction . I loose fuel (hydrogen) fast. I think AP has got problem with the docking script, even it is already stopped at that time).
What happening in the reality:
After the TB_02 unlock the connector the AP start and turn the ship toward the other asteroid. So I do not see the clear (nice) vertical take off. It is there in at lest 45 degree and stuck there. In worse case start to spin and crash my station. My assumption: it skip the second ( vertical leaving) coordinate.

RC coordinate order:
DP_base_01 (start TB_unload_01
DP_base_02 (restart AP, set direction to forward)
DP_mine_01 (stop AP, start TB_load_01
DP_mine_02 (restart AP, set direction to forward)

TB_01 (2sec):
-Stop AP
-Start TB_02:
TB_02:
-unlock connector
- set RC direction to up
- turn AP on
After that it should head for the second vertical leaving coordinate. But no It stuck there Or head for the other asteroid.

[flimp]

Bet you could do this with timer blocks and 2 ships using the return home function on the path miner script. Shouldn't be to hard as long as your moving stuff from one station to the next and not trying a 2 way transfer.

[Scoob]

Splitsie did some Youtube videos on this from late last year. He had some success as you'll see, but ended up using a Mod to do what he wanted. Check it out here it's quite interesting.

I was quite excited about the prospect of giving Drones made by me rudimentary commands, but it's very clunky and unreliable currently it appears.

I'd hope that, one day, we'd have some built-in commands for simple, common activities such as docking, ware transfer, basic patrols and search and destroy. A strong AI in-game, will make foes better opponents, and allow for proper automation of tasks.

It'd be great to encounter, for example, an NPC AI-controlled mining station that's actually sending ships out to mine, return and offload Ores into a Refinery. Other NPC ships could then be collecting this and taking it to factory stations that are building ships. It'd add a lot of depth to single player, and add life to multi-players.

Scoob.

[random_01 [HUN]]

Scoob, I took most of my setting from that video. Apart from that the AP has strange behaviour.

[Scoob]

Cool. I was going to tinker myself but haven't gotten around to it yet. I would like to automate Ore and Ingot transfers between my main base and a Mining Platform I captured off the AI. Currently doing manual runs.

Scoob.

[Easy Target]

I have drones hauling ore and ingotos and ice betwen many bases just using SAM's

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1224507423

Have sperate refining bases and then assembler bases.

Combined with Inventory manager with specal tags on the drone cargo and sorters to force dumoing of goods.

Static rotating and lowering Ice drill on lake with connector on top and drone that just hauls ice back and forth all day long.

Drones just have timer blocks to run SAM's and goto next nav every x mins (depending on avg distance and time to load-unload + rechage etc).

[random_01 [HUN]]

Hi Easy Target, I think I tried this script, but I did not figure out how does it work. After the install, my game world crashed. But the reason could be something else too. It was nowadays. Meanwhile, I managed to refine my approach. I set the RC CA "on" after the dock, so the ship push himself away from the docking ring. Oterwise it stuck there even the AP is on. But...I needed to turn it off later with TB, because on half way to the other asteroid the RC started to dance. Why??? So it works now....but I will take the SAM's APM in a closer look again. Thanks.

[random_01 [HUN]]

Hi Easy Target, does the SAM's APM work just on planet? It seems to...

[Easy Target]

Originally posted by a140610 HUN:

Hi Easy Target, does the SAM's APM work just on planet? It seems to...

So far onlly used it on planet - just setting up infrastructure for space atm - but worst case looking at;
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1330904900 as a option should the need arise.

[random_01 [HUN]]

I know this script and I use it, but it is not good for long distance. For example between two asteroids. The PAM miner script would be good, because that record the path, but it is for mining.

[Hallycion]

Just Use a sorter