How do i connect roboports with out using roboports?

[dragonsphotoworks]

Trying to set up a self building defense wall. The construction area is what i want to go by but the "line" wont connect outside the logistics box. And dont want to use so many roboports in one area. I want the bots to be able to build in other areas so need the ports to connect.

[Khaylain]

The orange/yellow area is the only one that connects roboports. The green is just the area that construction robots can construct, deconstruct, and repair things in.

[Nailfoot]

What's the concern with having 1 more roboport for every 3? They cost virtually nothing.

[JoraJukov]

As were said in the previous comments, there is just no such option. Basically the entire perimeter must be covered with orange area. And, as 2nd comment suggests, there is nothing bad in it. Considering the you need a lot of flamethrowers/lasers/turrets for every segment of the wall, adding extra roboport is not a big concern cost-wise.

[Britty mitty]

So long as the green area covers a wall or building, bots will automatically repair any damage in that area since it's classed as a construction task. But to have that robo port resupplied with repair packs you need other robo ports to connect via the orange logistics outline or you will need to manually supply it your self.

[dragonsphotoworks]

Ok I will explain more. Reason is its a belt fed automatic system. Atm I have almost 3 ports per section. Thats 350 per port so almost 1,000 robots just for one GREEN section. To push robots past that point.. To 4th port for example.. I need to send 1050 just for the ports to fill not including the belts. So building my defense wall "yes I like making long defense walls" I will need to send over 100,000s robots down belt.

If I could use 1 port instead of 3 that cuts total down to 33,000. Thats a big difference lol

Or is there a way to limit roboports to 1 stack of bots and repair kits?

[knighttemplar1960]

If you put a wire on one roboport in the network (and only one) you can read active and stored robots for each type robot in the network. You can use that information and the circuit net work creatively to have only 10 (or what ever number you want) in each roboport.

[Chindraba]

Two things. Connecting the ports even though belt fed and limiting the bots in ports.

2) The number of bots in a roboport network and 'available' (not working at this instant) are all available as signals from the roboport if it's connected to the circuit network. Using that and controlling the inserters adding the bots it is very possible, and wise, to control the number of bots in a network such as yours. It may take, however, quite some experimenting to find out how many is the 'right' number. Repair packs are also able to be limited, if you choose, though it's a bit trickier to 'count' them. (The repair packs can also be placed in yellow chests and the bots will pick them up as needed, along with other repair parts.)

1) The wall system as described is probably better off not connected. Connecting the ports into a network is already done by the belt. The difference is that with the belt each one has, and uses, its own supply of parts, repair packs and bots. Connecting their logistics area would remove the need for the belts to feed the bots, repair packs and parts to each one as they would all have the same supply source anyway. With the belt supply system, just make each green area touch and keep the orange (red) from connecting. The bots in one port will always stay there instead of forming groups in ports after an attack, leaving sections without bots. Of course, once needed they will leave where they've grouped and get back to work, grouping up at the new attack site. You can use the belts and only keep say 30 bots in each port, and replace them as they die. Load the parts and repair packs into a yellow chest for each port, and place limits on that as well, so only 50 walls and 10 turrets per port, or some other numbers you find works. Much less stored for 'just in case' and no single spot will be left dry while bots are moving stuff from 300 tiles away.

[dragonsphotoworks]

Oh good idea on the repair packs. Rest I have dumped into passive providers but for some reason i belted repair packs straight into port.

And ya one roboports green area is covered by only one port. But ya with what you say separating each be good once built. But wont be able to build next section. But.. if I can save on bots and packs it might be better option anyway. I just need keep roboport in inventory. rest can come from belts.

Though looks like i might be wrong.. But if nothing else i just set personal logistics to get a stack of all the parts at time and hand build sections. and let belts take care of repairs.

And I will have to look into signals. As rarely used them before.

[Chindraba]

Originally posted by dragonsphotoworks:

And I will have to look into signals. As rarely used them before.

Might not hurt to look into, and practice a bit with, signals. I've not done so yet, but I gather the SA playthrough will have places where you have to use some. Basic and simple ones, so nothing complex like programming a video display, but still more than none. A bit of practice on something small and simple is a good way to get started with learning them.

[dragonsphotoworks]

Used to use them on my trains. Fel actually helped me with them years ago :-) Might have to bug them again hehe