Comprehensive Guide to Smelting in Factorio

Introduction

Starting out in Factorio can be overwhelming with the plethora of data and decisions you need to make. One of the key aspects to master is the smelting setup, which is essential for processing raw ores into usable materials. This guide will walk you through the steps to build efficient smelting columns that will support your base until the endgame.

Planning Your Smelting Area

When designing your smelting columns, consider the placement of your main bus. It’s advisable to place your smelting area at the beginning of the bus with ample room for expansion. Initially, aim for at least one full belt of iron and copper, with space for up to four belts of each.

Essential Components

Smelting columns require two main resources:

1. Ore: The raw material to be smelted into plates.
2. Coal: The fuel for the smelting process.

Place your smelting columns close to ore patches for efficiency.

Understanding Ratios

To make a full yellow belt of plates:

• A yellow belt moves 15 items per second.
• A stone furnace produces 0.3125 plates per second.

Thus, you need 48 furnaces to sustain a full yellow belt. Both iron and copper have a 1:1 ratio for ore to plates, simplifying the process.

Upgrading Considerations

Plan for future upgrades:

• Red belts are twice as fast as yellow belts.
• Steel furnaces are twice as fast as stone furnaces.

Design your array to accommodate these upgrades without changing the layout.

Designing the Smelting Column

Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. Layout: Place two columns of 24 furnaces each, flanking a central output belt.
2. Belts: Ensure there’s a one-tile gap for inserters. Place input belts on either side of the furnaces.
3. Splitters: Use splitters to manage ore and coal distribution. Items fed from the side will stay on the designated side of the belt.
4. Inserters: Add inserters to feed ore into the furnaces and extract plates.
5. Power: Use power poles to supply electricity. A central line of power poles is effective.
6. Feeding Resources: Ensure a steady supply of coal and ore. A full belt of coal can feed approximately 666 furnaces.

Mining Setup

To supply your smelting columns:

• You need 30 miners to fill one belt.
• Distribute miners evenly across the ore patch for optimal throughput.

Special Considerations

• Steel Production: For steel, smelt iron ore into iron plates, then smelt the plates into steel.
• Stone Bricks: These require two pieces of stone per brick, needing twice the input belts for the same output.
• Electric Furnaces: Use electric furnaces for energy efficiency, especially if moving towards solar power or an end-game module system.

Conclusion

Efficient smelting is crucial for a thriving Factorio base. Follow this guide to set up and upgrade your smelting operations seamlessly. Join our Discord community for more tips and to connect with fellow players. Happy building!

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