A clogged belt backs up when machines downstream stop consuming. The whole line then freezes and production halts.
Why this matters
Clogs are the most common factory failure. Spotting them early keeps every line running.
Step-by-step
- Watch for machines with full input belts.
- Check that downstream machines are powered.
- Balance input and consumption rates per line.
- Add storage buffers before high-rate machines.
- Use splitters to relieve overfed branches.
- Remove or redirect surplus into storage.
- Re-check lines after every expansion.
Tips
- Full input belt means downstream stopped
- Storage absorbs temporary surpluses
- Balance each line to its consumer
- Powered machines never clog
Practical notes
A full input belt always means the machine downstream stopped, usually for power. Find that machine first instead of adding storage to hide the problem. Balance each line to its consumer rate, because a belt faster than the machine backs up by design.
Storage buffers absorb temporary surpluses, but they are a shock absorber, not a fix. Use overflow splitters to route surplus into storage automatically instead of jamming the main line. Re-check lines after every expansion, since a new consumer can starve an old branch.
A full input belt means the machine downstream stopped, usually for power.
A new consumer can starve an old branch, so re-check lines after every expansion.
Common mistakes
- Feeding a line faster than it consumes
- Unpowered machines upstream of a belt
- No buffer before slow machines
- Ignoring backed-up junctions