Sandustry Machines & Automation Encyclopedia
Learn every building, conveyor toggle, furnace, and chemical apparatus in Sandustry Early Access v0.5.6. Compare energy inputs, recipe conversion ratios, and key mechanics to construct unbreakable automated production lines.
1. Logistics & Sifting Machinery
CLASS: LOGISTICSPassive / KineticMaterial Launcher
High-velocity hydraulic propulsion unit that launches items vertically upward (+4 to +12 elevation blocks) into multi-tier conveyor networks.
- >Must be placed directly in water or catch basin to harvest underwater pixel mass.
- >Connects directly to the base of horizontal Conveyor Belts.
- >Eliminates the need for long serpentine climbing ramp tracks.
CLASS: LOGISTICSZero Power DrainVibratory Shaker
The foundational sifting engine of Sandustry. Vibrates Wet Sand to separate heavy Gold Flakes from light Residue based on density physics.
- >Will NOT accept dry sand — sand must touch water before entering.
- >Separates outputs into dual side streams (Gold sinks, Residue floats/ejects).
- >Pairs with downstream Kinetic Press to squeeze bonus gold from the leftover Residue.
CLASS: LOGISTICSPassive RoutingFilter Wall & Conveyor
Selective permeability barrier. Allows chosen density bands to pass through while physically blocking and deflecting others.
- >Press [R] while hovering to switch between Solid Filter Wall and Belt Pass-Through.
- >Essential for separating Gold Flakes from Slag before reaching furnaces.
- >Prevents line clogging when multi-density ores mix on single mainlines.
2. Thermal Smelting & Impact Crushing
CLASS: SMELTINGFuel / Passive Heat BedThermal Flamethrower
High-temperature thermal emitter used to ignite Scoria Cinder into permanent Lava pools and burn raw Residue into Burnt Slag.
- >Firing onto Scoria Cinder transforms it into permanent self-sustaining Lava.
- >Lava under water generates continuous rising Steam for zero-power elevator lifts.
- >Converts low-value Residue into Burnt Slag for crushing in the Kinetic Press.
CLASS: SMELTINGHigh Thermal InputInduction Smelter & Copper Mold
High-temperature metallurgical crucible that liquefies deep subterranean Copper Ore into Liquid Copper, casting Power Bricks via Copper Molds.
- >Must be placed near deep underground copper veins (in deep subterranean layers).
- >Power Bricks are the core building blocks required for Tier 3+ electrical machinery.
- >Also melts Raw Gold into high-value Liquid Gold ingots.
CLASS: SMELTINGGravitational Drop (Tall)Kinetic Slag Press
Heavy industrial impact crusher that uses gravity drop momentum to smash Burnt Slag into bonus Gold Flakes and Bio-Spores.
- >Higher vertical drop height yields higher impact force and maximum bonus gold.
- >The generated Bio-Spores are the foundational catalyst for breeding Amethelis flowers.
- >Closes the zero-waste loop on Shaker factory waste lines.
3. Fluid Dynamics & Atmospheric Gas Harvesters
CLASS: FLUIDSElectrical Grid ConnectionAura Extractor
Atmospheric gas harvester that siphons gaseous Prismaline and luminescent vapors from underground crystal biomes.
- >Harvested Prismaline gas rises upward naturally (Density -5) into overhead containment pipes.
- >Required upstream component for fueling the Tier 6 Void Juice refinery.
- >Must be shielded from open-air draft leaks to prevent gas loss.
CLASS: FLUIDSElectrical PoweredMoisture Condenser
Thermodynamic refrigeration unit that cools atmospheric Steam and humid air into pure Liquid Water for inland desert factories.
- >Solves the water shortage problem for deep desert factories far from natural lakes.
- >Recycles steam elevators back into water for continuous closed-loop fluid recycling.
- >Connects directly to underground pipe catch basins.
CLASS: FLUIDSCryo-Power GridCryogenic Snowmaker
Instantaneous cryogenic freezer that transforms Liquid Water into solid Snow pixels for spill-free conveyor transport across desert terrain.
- >Eliminates the danger of liquid spills and pipe bursts in complex factory corridors.
- >Solid Snow travels smoothly along standard conveyor belts without requiring pipes.
- >Can be melted back into water on-demand using heat lamps or thermal vents.
4. Power Transmission & Advanced Ancient Tech
CLASS: POWERSub-Grid Battery BalancingEnergy Siphon
High-voltage inductive bridge that transfers stored battery power between separate factory grids without physical copper wire bottlenecks.
- >Allows remote geothermal power stations to feed deep underground mining operations.
- >Prevents total factory blackouts by isolating high-drain crusher circuits from logic gates.
- >Can be automated with Sensor logic doors for smart peak-shaving.
CLASS: POWER1x Void Juice per PulseArtifact Locator Radar
Ancient alien resonance scanner. Consumes distilled Void Juice to emit seismic radar pulses, revealing subterranean artifact puzzle coordinates.
- >Reveals hidden Sealed Entrances, Frostbed Puzzles, and Dark Maze chambers.
- >The only method to track down ancient Recall Shards in the endgame.
- >Requires continuous fuel pipeline for real-time triangulation.
CLASS: POWERPlayer Workbench (Passive)Augmentation Station
Player enhancement terminal used to permanently upgrade tool excavation radii, belt placement speeds, and machinery throughput.
- >Upgrades shovel dig radius from 1x1 to 3x3 and 5x5 blocks.
- >Increases player movement speed and subterranean thermal resistance.
- >Unlocks blueprint string export and high-speed auto-build modes.
Frequently Asked Machine Questions (FAQ)
Q:How do I place and angle the Material Launcher in water?
The Material Launcher must be placed directly inside a water pool or catch basin so its intake scoop touches liquid or submerged sand. Left-click to rotate the trajectory arc upward (+4 to +12 blocks) and align it with the input lip of an elevated conveyor belt.
Q:How do I toggle the Filter Wall mode on conveyor belts?
Hover your cursor over the filter tile and press the [R] key on your keyboard. This toggles the filter between Solid Filter Wall mode (blocks unwanted materials and deflects them) and Belt Pass mode (allows chosen densities to glide through uninterrupted).
Q:How do I smelt Copper into Power Bricks in Sandustry?
Copper Ore must be excavated from deep underground caverns. Feed the raw ore into an Induction Smelter heated to extreme temperatures by a Flamethrower to create Liquid Copper. Attach a Copper Mold to the spout output to cast finished Power Bricks.
Q:Why is my Moisture Condenser not producing Liquid Water?
The Condenser requires an active electrical grid connection and a steady intake of atmospheric Steam (Density -20) or ambient humidity. If placed in an arid desert chamber with no ventilation or thermal cooling sink, water output will stall.
Q:What is the optimal drop height for the Kinetic Slag Press?
For maximum bonus gold yield, build a tall vertical drop shaft above the impact anvil — community-verified setups use roughly 25+ blocks of fall height. Dropping Burnt Slag from height yields bonus Gold Flakes and Bio-Spores per cycle (community-reported, not official numbers).
Q:How does the Energy Siphon balance power across disconnected sub-grids?
Left-click the Energy Siphon on your primary power bank (e.g. a geothermal steam generator array), then link the target capacitor on your isolated sub-grid (e.g. deep mining drills). The Siphon transfers stored kilowatt-hours wirelessly to prevent line overloads.