- Sandustry Factory: A physics-based automation game focused on sand extraction and gold production.
- Core Loop: Dig terrain, wash sand in water to create wet sand, and process it through shakers.
- Key Tools: Use the Grabber, Shaker, and Conveyor Belts to automate resource collection.
- Physics Matter: Resources behave like physical objects; piles can block conveyors if too large.
- Exploration: Locate ancient boiler runes to manage water supply and unlock advanced tech like flamethrowers.
Getting Started with Your Factory
Building a efficient factory in Sandustry requires understanding the unique physics-based mechanics. Unlike traditional grid-based automation games, here you must account for gravity, pile density, and environmental interaction.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to the drop pod and initial mission objectives.
- Demonstrating the process of digging terrain and washing sand.
- Setting up the first automated loop with shakers and collectors.
- Using the build menu to place conveyors and launchers.
- Managing the separation of gold and residue.
Always ensure your conveyor belts are placed above the ground level. If sand piles up underneath, it can physically block the belt's movement and halt production.
Your primary goal is to extract gold from the environment to meet factory targets and unlock new technologies. The initial loop involves manually digging soft materials like dirt, washing them in water to create wet sand, and then using a shaker to separate gold nuggets from residue.
| Resource Type | Source | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt / Sand | Digging terrain (Left Mouse) | Washed in water to create Wet Sand |
| Wet Sand | Sand + Water interaction | Processed in Shakers to extract Gold |
| Gold | Shaking Wet Sand | Used for research and tech tree unlocks |
| Residue | Byproduct of Shaking | Burned for extra gold or stored |
Core Automation Mechanics
The heart of your factory lies in the logistics network. Moving from manual labor to full automation requires mastering the Conveyor Belt and Launcher systems.
Conveyor Belts
- Horizontal Transport
- Moves items slowly
- Can be blocked by large piles
- Essential for basic sorting
Launchers
- Vertical Transport
- Throws items over gaps
- Faster than belts
- Useful for "bucket" systems
Filters
- Sorting Logic
- Separates Gold from Residue
- Prevents clogging
- Requires Gold to unlock
Large piles of residue move significantly slower on conveyors. If a pile becomes too massive, it may stop moving entirely, causing a traffic jam in your production line.
To optimize your factory layout, prioritize building "buckets" or collection zones where resources funnel into a central point. Use launchers to toss wet sand from a dig site into a processing basin, and then use conveyors to feed the wet sand into shakers.
| Machine | Function | Placement Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Shaker | Separates Gold from Wet Sand | Place below water sources or drop zones |
| Collector | Gathers resources into inventory | Position at the end of conveyor lines |
| Launcher | Throws items vertically | Use to cross gaps or feed upper levels |
| Filter | Sorts specific materials | Insert after shakers to purify gold flow |
Advanced Processing: Residue & Flamethrowers
Once you have automated basic gold collection, you will encounter a significant bottleneck: Residue. This byproduct accumulates quickly and can clog your machinery if not managed.
Unlock Tier 2 Tech
Research the Logistics and Processing trees. You need to accumulate enough gold to unlock the Flamethrower and Kinetic Press.
Acquire the Flamethrower
This tool allows you to burn residue piles. Burning residue converts it into "Burnt Residue," which is a key component for late-game gold production.
Setup a Kinetic Press
The Kinetic Press refines Burnt Residue into additional gold. You must drop the burnt residue onto the press from a height to activate it.
Automate Burning
Use Thermal Buffers and Burner Belts to automatically ignite residue passing through your system, keeping your factory clean.
While exploring the dunes, you may find Fluxite. Mining this resource grants permanent upgrades to your tools, such as increased grabber size or digging speed, significantly boosting your efficiency.
Managing your water supply is also critical. As you wash sand, local water sources deplete. You must eventually locate Ancient Boiler Runes in caves to create steam systems that generate rain, ensuring a sustainable water loop for your factory.
| Tech Upgrade | Benefit | Cost (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Boost | Faster movement | 250 Gold |
| Filter | Sorts Sand/Wet Sand | 250 Gold |
| Flamethrower | Burns Residue/Melts Ice | Tier 2 Unlock |
| Cryoblaster | Creates Snow/Freezes Water | Tier 3 Unlock |
| Sweeper Drone | Auto-collects items | Tier 3 Unlock |
Factory Optimization Goals
To progress efficiently in Sandustry, focus on expanding your processing capacity rather than just hoarding gold. A larger factory processes more sand, yielding exponentially more resources.
Factory Expansion Checklist:
- Unlock and place Filters to separate Gold from Residue automatically
- Construct a dedicated Residue burning pit using Flamethrowers
- Build vertical 'Bucket' systems using Launchers to move sand uphill
- Locate and activate at least one Ancient Boiler Rune for water sustainability
- Upgrade Grabber size and digging speed using Fluxite
Build your factory in tiers. Keep your initial processing low on the ground near water, then use launchers to move refined materials up to higher platforms for advanced sorting and storage.
Be mindful of the "Colossus" entities roaming the dunes. While they are generally unresponsive to contact, their psionic activity suggests they may become a threat or a mechanic in later updates. Always keep an eye on your viability meter to ensure your operation meets the orbital command's expectations.
| Optimization Tactic | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel Processing | Run multiple shakers simultaneously | Medium |
| Rain Catchers | Build roofs to catch steam-condensed rain | Hard |
| Cave Mining | Dig deep for Fluxite and direct resources up | Hard |
| Looping Residue | Re-burn residue until fully processed | Medium |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I deal with water running out in my factory?
Water sources near the surface are finite. To sustain a large factory, you must explore caves to find Ancient Boiler Runes. By using a flamethrower to boil water into steam and building structures to direct the steam upwards, you can create rain catchers that refill your water supply indefinitely.
Q: Why are my conveyor belts moving so slowly?
Conveyor speed in Sandustry is physics-based. If a pile of sand or residue is too large or heavy, it will move slower. Break up large piles manually or use more launchers to toss smaller amounts. Ensure no physical obstructions are blocking the belt path.
Q: What is the most efficient way to get gold?
The most efficient method is automating the 'Wet Sand to Shaker' loop. Dig sand, wash it, and feed it to shakers. Once you unlock the Flamethrower and Kinetic Press, burning your excess residue and refining it provides a massive secondary gold income stream.
Q: Can I move my factory after building it?
Yes, you can delete blocks (X key) and rebuild elsewhere. However, resources on the ground remain. It is often better to expand your current setup using conveyor portals or launchers rather than demolishing and moving, unless your current location is completely resource-starved.