Architect Archive

The serial number is used to ensure that the coding is able to recognise that the items are 'identical'. It is a requirement for components (other than structural modules and wall modules) to be identical for :

a) structures that call for more than one of an item to be used (e.g. 2 identical generator turbines), and
b) factory runs for multiple items which require a component.

So, to make a one off of any kind of heavy harvester you will be required to use identical components i.e. with identical serial numbers whenever there is more than 1 of the component used, e.g. storage modules, gen turbines, or 'harvesting. unit (omu, drill pump etc). Furthemore if you are making a factory run of multiple harvesters from a schematic, then these components need to be identical for the entire run (or runs) made from that a schematic.

This means that using the same resources in these circumstances is simply not enough. It is the way the game has been designed and is not likely to be changed, so you will need to make enough of these components in a factory beforehand.

Note :
1. Identical 'from a factory crate' does not in fact mean the component must still be in the crate when used, it indicates that it must be made in a factory with the same serial number as other components of the same type which are being used. Indeed some components, even though they are made in a factory do not even come in crates, e.g. Ore Mining Units for heavy mineral harvesters.
2. Walls modules and Structural modules are unique in that these components are only required to be 'similar', in other words they do not need to have the same serial number as each other, in fact they do not even need to have been made from the same resources as each other.
3. For any factory run all resources have to be the same, so if for example you require 100 units of metal and 50 units of steelfor one of anything you are going to run through the factory, then to make 5 of these you will need 600 of the same metal and 300 of the same steel (exactly the same, not just the same type), that is 100 & 50 for the schematic and then 5*100 & 5*50 for the factory run.

Hope this clarifies things somewhat.

think of it like this, if it was too easy everybody could do it. I understand the pain of having invested in things you can't use for the purpose you intended, but a few components can be used as singles in something else handmade, single gen turbines, sssms and omus can be used either in mediums (gts and sssms) or fusions (omus), so hold on to these and maybe you can use them later. Turbo fluid drill pumps, Harvesting mechs and Manuf mechs unfortunately need min 2 identicals, to my mind you shouldn't get the option to actually create a handmade of these (at least you should get a warning) as they are useless in singles.

Learn from your mistake and try to make the best of it, don't let it put you off, it's a game after all.

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Niklesnitz wrote:

I really think that the only objects needing to be the same are the mining units, pumps....etc etc...and the gen turbines. Structure storage mods should be similiar along with the walls.

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