Question concerning Router possibilities

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Okay, I just don't know a whole lot about Factorization Routers, mostly because I haven't found any kind of use for them. So I've got some questions for those who have played around with them.

1. Can routers pull out of attached inventories?
2. If so, can they pull specific items from said inventories?
3. If so, can they pull a specific number of that item or items from said inventories?
4. Is it possible to do so remotely or automatically?

I'm contemplating using a Router/Barrel storage system, and I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow request items from the barrels via a router.

 

[MrZwij]

1. Yes, from any inventory in the "network." You can also pull from specific slots. To put the item into something else, you'll need an Ejector upgrade.
2. Yes, with Item Filters (and possibly Machine Filters)
3. No, don't think so. You can set a number of items in the item filter, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I may have to experiment more with this.
4. Yes? If you can control what's in the inventories. You can also turn the router off with a redstone signal. Am I understanding your question right?

 

[KirinDave]

Routers are much better for factory automation than for sorting systems. They rely on valid targets for item placement.

Just connect an ejector to your RP2 sorting network and hope that one day FTB will stop relying on RP2 for this level of automation functionality. Routers excel at feeding TE machine networks because you can control the sidedness of TE machines.

 

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Routers are much better for factory automation than for sorting systems. They rely on valid targets for item placement.

Really? I feel like it is the reverse. Routers excel at barrel storage systems, but are exceedingly lousy or simply obsolete for factory automation.

Just connect an ejector to your RP2 sorting network and hope that one day FTB will stop relying on RP2 for this level of automation functionality. Routers excel at feeding TE machine networks because you can control the sidedness of TE machines.

TE machines don't need routers, they automatically send items by themselves, no dark iron necessary.

What I'm trying to set up is an item retriever system for on-demand item requests from my storage facility to my crafting area.

 

[Larroke]

I find them limited for barrel sorting but very effective.. and use them almost exclusively. I would be ecstatic if they emitted a redstone signal when jammed, which would allow for a transposer or the like to pull the jam out and eject into an overflow chest.

And yes, you can request items from them, if you have the bandwidth upgrade I think it will only pull stacks, but if you don't it will pull the same count you place in it. Haven't tested this yet.

You can't place items into the item filter automatically though as best I know, which limits its true automation capacity for a retrieving system.

 

[KirinDave]

Really? I feel like it is the reverse. Routers excel at barrel storage systems, but are exceedingly lousy or simply obsolete for factory automation.

They fail at sorting systems UNLESS you use barrels. And then they make horrifically space-inefficient sorting systems. Barrels are great for things like cobble and saplings and wood. Not so great for every type of ingot in a mixed mod game.

TE machines don't need routers, they automatically send items by themselves, no dark iron necessary.

Not really. TE machines are efficient and have cool side effects, but are slow. Routers let you set up resource-effective staged networks. For example, if you want to have 10 pulverizers and 10 powered furnaces, routers make this very easy and maximizes efficiency by routing outbound dusts to any available furnace.

Another prime example is keeping a fair number of induction furnaces supplied with sand and free of rich slag. You can do this with just a few routers and no piping.

What I'm trying to set up is an item retriever system for on-demand item requests from my storage facility to my crafting area.

The only thing that really does this well in the FTB modpacks is the Sortron.

 

[Heliomance]

They fail at sorting systems UNLESS you use barrels. And then they make horrifically space-inefficient sorting systems. Barrels are great for things like cobble and saplings and wood. Not so great for every type of ingot in a mixed mod game.



Not really. TE machines are efficient and have cool side effects, but are slow. Routers let you set up resource-effective staged networks. For example, if you want to have 10 pulverizers and 10 powered furnaces, routers make this very easy and maximizes efficiency by routing outbound dusts to any available furnace.

Another prime example is keeping a fair number of induction furnaces supplied with sand and free of rich slag. You can do this with just a few routers and no piping.

Or keeping 15 or so recyclers constantly supplied with cobble from ~3 stacks of igneous extruders, which my friend did to supply his massfab with scrap.

The only thing that really does this well in the FTB modpacks is the Sortron.

Or ComputerCraft.