The Crust: Refinery Automation & Conveyors
Master subsurface logistics in The Crust 1.0. Conveyor tiers, vertical elevator loops, regolith refinery ratios, and sorting matrices.
Sourcing note: Technical throughput data, conveyor speeds, and processing benchmarks are confirmed from official Steam 1.0 release documentation and in-engine performance telemetry.
Automation in The Crust demands a dual-layer logistics philosophy. Raw regolith and heavy ores are mined on the lunar surface or excavated from subterranean rock walls, then channeled through automated sorting grids, arc smelters, and chemical synthesizers. Understanding conveyor capacities and elevator bottlenecks is essential to sustaining late-game factory growth.
Conveyor Speed Tiers & Throughput
Maintaining balanced production requires matching extractor yields with appropriate conveyor belt capacities. Overloading belts creates upstream back pressure, stalling drills and wasting electrical power.
| Conveyor Grade | Throughput Rating | Ideal Placement | Power Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Conveyor | 120 items per minute | Initial ore extractors & single smelter feeds | Low |
| Tier 2 Conveyor | 240 items per minute | Regolith splitters & secondary assembly lines | Medium |
| Tier 3 Conveyor | 480 items per minute | Central subterranean trunks & cargo elevators | Standard |
For high-volume subterranean trunk lines, always route output into Tier 3 belts before feeding the vertical cargo elevator. Vertical elevators operate at a peak rate of 480 items per minute, perfectly synchronizing with Tier 3 conveyor delivery.
Subsurface Refinery Architecture
Processing raw Lunar Regolith (density 2.60 g/cm³) into usable manufacturing elements requires a multi-tier refinery pipeline:
- Rotary Regolith Sifter: Separates bulk regolith into fine silicate dust and magnetic gravel.
- Magnetic Separator: Extracts raw iron ore (density 5.20 g/cm³) from the gravel stream, feeding directly into electric Arc Smelters.
- Vacuum Leaching Unit: Dissolves titanium oxide (density 4.50 g/cm³) for aerospace alloy casting.
- Concrete Pressing Modules: Compresses remaining silicate slag into reinforced concrete blocks. Building 3 Pressing Modules achieves the Smart Moves, Concrete Gains achievement (29.4% unlock rate).
Avoiding Logistics Jams in Version 1.0
- Resource Reassignment: Version 1.0 allows players to reassign resource types on conveyor inputs and outputs without dismantling existing belts or machines.
- Conveyor Clearing Key: Hover over any jammed belt segment and press the M key to purge stranded resources immediately.
- Smart Buffer Silos: Install automated buffer silos between the extraction elevators and the refinery floor to absorb production spikes during peak daylight hours.
Blueprint FAQs
What are the speed ratings for conveyor belts in The Crust? +
Tier 1 conveyors transport 120 items per minute, Tier 2 conveyors handle 240 items per minute, and Tier 3 heavy-duty trunks transport up to 480 items per minute.
How many Pressing Modules are needed for the mid-game milestone? +
Constructing 3 Pressing Modules completes the Smart Moves, Concrete Gains achievement, currently held by 29.4% of Steam players.
How do you connect underground factories to surface export pads? +
Build vertical Subsurface Cargo Elevators capable of moving 480 items per minute between subterranean workshops and surface spaceport landing pads.