How do I connect a basic assembler to a basic refinery?

[Schoobie]

Hi, I'm trying to set up a refinery assembler system but the refinery won't send the materials it refines to the assembler so I have to manually move everything. I have the two right next to each other but It isn't working. Please help.

[ThatGuyFuryan]

The assembler will pull resources from the refinery when it's needed. I believe you need a conveyor sorter to force ingots into the assembler automatically in the way you're wanting.

[Buzzard]

Just make sure that they're connected by those big yellow access hatches. You can even put a container of some sort between them for easy storage of ingots and components. (It's also a good idea when the refinery has time to build up lots of ingots and has someplace to put them that DOESN'T end up clogging your assembler)

[Schoobie]

Thanks for the answer, but just to check, there's no way I can have both of them facing me so I can easily access both of them?

[Buzzard]

The Basic Assembler only has the one access hatch, but you can always pull things through the network. Up at the top of the inventory panels, you'll see a helmet icon and a multi-box icon. The helmet is me/this container. The multi-box icon is for everything connected/linked. You might need to scroll down a bit to get to what you want, but it'll be there, even if you've got hundreds of containers on the grid. You can also give production orders from anywhere on the grid, not just when directly in front of the assembler.

[Pembroke]

Yes, stuff can only move through connections. If you look at the basic refinery you can see 2 yellow access ports, one at the front and one at the back. The basic assembler has only 1 access port. To connect these two devices together you can:

1) Simplest way: Place the two so that the single access port of the basic assembler is directly adjacent and facing one of the access ports of the basic refinery. You can then access the inventory of the basic assembler through the other access port of the basic refinery.

2) You may feel the way #1 a bit restricting, so in addition to the refinery and the assembler, build also either a conveyor junction or a small cargo container. The junction is cheaper and doesn't require metal grids (meaning cobalt) but if you've the resources the cargo container gives you additional storage space.
Both the junction and the cargo container have access ports on all of their six sides. This allows you more freedom where to put the refinery and the assembler plus it also allows you to later extend your conveyor network to other devices. Connect the access ports of the refinery and the assembler to the access ports of the junction/container.
You can now access the inventories of all connected devices via any available access port. Do note that while the conveyor junction connects devices, it doesn't allow direct *manual* access through its ports, so when using a junction access your network from the refinery access port. A cargo container is better in this as you can access it directly.

The #2 also allows you to connect your survival kit to the same conveyor network. The survival kit has 2 access ports, left and right, so just place it to a convenient spot so that the ports connect to the junction / cargo container. If you want the devices to be further apart you can also build conveyor tubes to extend the network allowing you to put the devices wherever you want in your base.

Remember also, that a conveyor network needs power to function. No stuff will move through it if you don't have any power and you will see the inventories getting blacked out if you try moving stuff. To keep your early base functioning you probably want at least 2 wind turbines for power. If you're not generating enough power you may hear "stuttering" noises, especially if you're running both the refinery and the assembler at the same time.

[jwchannell]

Thank you!!!