- Sandustry kinetic slag processing uses filters, flamethrowers, launchers, and kinetic slag presses.
- Filter the input so only the intended material enters each processing line.
- Control throughput because oversized piles can block or overload a kinetic slag press.
- Use vertical filters to slow falling material and maintain a steadier feed rate.
- Separate outputs so gold and spores do not back up into the press area.
Sandustry kinetic slag Processing Basics
Sandustry kinetic slag is easiest to manage when the factory is designed around controlled flow rather than maximum speed. The central loop begins with wet sand, continues through shaking and burning, and ends with a kinetic slag press that produces golden spores and gold. Each stage has different handling requirements, so a single unrestricted conveyor line can create contamination, clumping, or stalled production.
Video Highlights:
- How to filter wet sand before it reaches the shakers.
- Why a bottleneck helps filters inspect material consistently.
- How burnt slag enters the kinetic slag press.
- Why filters and launchers are useful for regulating throughput.
- How splitter layouts can divide material between multiple presses.
A practical factory separates the process into four control points:
- Input filtering keeps unwanted sand or unfinished material out of the line.
- Shaking converts wet sand into slag while allowing unsuitable material to be diverted.
- Burning changes regular slag into a lighter burnt form that can be processed further.
- Pressing converts burnt slag into golden spores and gold, but only at a manageable rate.
| Processing Stage | Main Equipment | Primary Goal | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet sand input | Filters, conveyors | Admit the intended sand | Mixed materials enter the line |
| Sand conversion | Shakers | Turn wet sand into slag | Input exceeds shaker capacity |
| Slag preparation | Flamethrower | Produce burnt slag | Large piles become difficult to feed |
| Final conversion | Kinetic slag press | Create spores and gold | Burnt slag clumps above the press |
| Output handling | Filters, conveyors | Separate products | Spores or gold back up |
Input Control
Use filters to admit only the material needed by the next machine. A second return route can divert everything else.
Flow Control
Vertical filters reduce the rate at which particles fall, making them useful before a press or feed chute.
Output Control
Separate golden spores and gold after pressing so the output does not rise into the processing area.
Treat filters as flow regulators, not only sorting devices. A slower, straight feed is often more stable than a fast unrestricted drop.
Filtering Wet Sand Before the Shakers
The first important setup decision is deciding what may enter the shaker line. A filter configured to allow only wet sand can act as a gate, while a separate filter can route other materials away from the production system. This is especially useful when several types of sand share the same storage or conveyor network.
Filters inspect the material directly above them, so a wide, uneven pile may not be checked consistently. A simple bottleneck compresses the incoming pile into a narrower path. This gives the filter a better chance to examine the material one piece at a time.
| Filter Configuration | Function | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Allow selected element | Passes only the chosen material | Wet sand into shakers |
| Block selected element | Rejects one material while allowing others | Diverting unwanted sand |
| Vertical gate | Controls falling material | Slow feed into a press |
| Filtered return route | Sends rejected items elsewhere | Preventing contamination |
Compact and High-Throughput Layouts
A long shaker line can process material more consistently because it gives the system additional space to handle incoming wet sand. A compact design saves room but may require an output filter. In that arrangement, unfinished wet sand stays near the machine until it becomes slag, while the finished material is allowed to continue.
The compact approach can be useful when space is limited, but it generally sacrifices some speed. The longer layout is easier to expand and may provide more predictable throughput when the input arrives in a continuous stream.
Recommended placement rules include:
- Put an input filter before the first shaker.
- Add a bottleneck if material arrives in a tall or uneven pile.
- Use an output filter when unfinished wet sand must be held back.
- Provide a route for rejected material instead of allowing it to obstruct the machine.
- Avoid feeding more layers of wet sand than the shaker line can process reliably.
Do not assume a filter will inspect an entire pile above it. Flatten or narrow the incoming material so unwanted particles cannot bypass the intended check.
Turning Slag Into Burnt Slag
Regular slag must be exposed to a flamethrower before it can be sent through the kinetic slag press. The burning stage changes the material’s density and makes the resulting burnt slag easier to store vertically. However, a large stockpile can still become difficult to feed if it is released all at once.
The most reliable setup places the flamethrower where it can reach the stored slag without creating an uncontrolled drop into the press. If the factory stores slag in a large mound, process it gradually instead of attempting to empty the entire pile in one burst.
Create a Slag Buffer
Store regular slag in a dedicated area before burning it. Keep this buffer separate from finished spores and gold so the outputs cannot mix with the input.
Apply the Flamethrower
Use the flamethrower to convert regular slag into burnt slag. Allow the material to settle before directing it toward the press.
Install a Controlled Feed
Place one or more filters above the feed path and configure them to allow burnt slag. This limits how much material enters the press at once.
Add a Recovery Route
Give unburnt slag or rejected material somewhere to go. A return line prevents unsuitable particles from blocking the main chute.
Test in Small Batches
Start with a modest amount of burnt slag. Increase the feed only after the press accepts the material without forming a persistent pile.
| Material State | Destination | Handling Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Regular slag | Slag buffer or flamethrower area | Keep separate from final outputs |
| Burnt slag | Filtered press feed | Release gradually |
| Golden spores | Spores output line | Prevent the pile from rising into the press |
| Gold | Gold output line | Use a separate route after conversion |
| Unwanted material | Return or overflow route | Do not leave it above the press |
A controlled feed is more important than the number of launchers used. Launchers can move material, but excessive momentum or too much incoming material may still create a pile. Filters placed above the machine provide a simple way to reduce the amount released during each cycle.
Keep the burning area, press feed, and finished-product storage distinct. This separation makes troubleshooting easier and reduces the chance that a backed-up output will interfere with incoming burnt slag.
Kinetic Slag Press Layouts and Splitters
The kinetic slag press converts burnt slag into golden spores and gold. Its press area can process only a limited amount at a time, so the feed must be paced. When too much burnt slag arrives together, particles may accumulate above the machine instead of entering it cleanly.
A narrow vertical path with several filters can slow the feed and keep particles aligned. Some builders also use launchers to spread material across multiple press inputs or to clear a blockage below the processing area. These solutions are useful when a single press cannot handle the available supply.
Single Press
Easiest to build and inspect. Use a filtered vertical feed and keep the input rate modest.
Dual Press
Splits burnt slag between two presses. Useful when one machine receives more material than it can process.
Launcher Splitter
Sends material upward and across two routes. Placement affects how evenly the material divides.
Filter Stack
Uses multiple filters in a vertical path to reduce clumping and maintain a steady drop.
Choosing a Splitter
A basic launcher arrangement can divide material into different directions, but the side closest to the incoming material may receive priority. This makes the layout simple but not perfectly balanced. A launcher that sends material upward into a top block can create a more even division across two conveyor routes, although the split may still vary.
A splitter is most useful when paired with controlled input. Dividing an excessive flow does not remove the underlying pressure on the processing line; it only distributes it. Start by slowing the burnt slag before the split, then adjust the number of presses and output routes.
| Layout | Throughput Potential | Build Complexity | Stability Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One press with filter | Moderate | Low | Good starting point |
| Two presses with height split | Higher | Medium | Requires balanced outputs |
| Launcher direction split | Variable | Low | Input side may be prioritized |
| Top-block splitter | Moderate to high | Medium | Division can be more even |
| Filter stack before press | Controlled | Medium | Helps prevent particle clumps |
Use a splitter to distribute a managed flow. If the incoming pile is already too large, add filters before the splitter instead of relying on launchers alone.
Troubleshooting, Checklist, and FAQ
Most kinetic slag problems come from one of three conditions: unsuitable material entering the system, too much burnt slag arriving at once, or finished spores blocking the press area. Diagnose the line from the input toward the output rather than rebuilding every machine immediately.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Recommended Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Wet sand enters the wrong line | Input is too wide or mixed | Add a bottleneck and selected-element filter |
| Press feed forms a mound | Flow is too fast | Add vertical filters or reduce launcher output |
| Unburnt slag reaches the press | Burning or input filtering is incomplete | Filter for burnt slag before the feed chute |
| Spores rise into the press | Output drainage is too slow | Widen or lengthen the spores route |
| One splitter side fills first | Input direction is prioritized | Change launcher orientation or use a top-block splitter |
| Machine stops after a pile forms | Material is obstructing the intake | Clear the obstruction and restart with a smaller batch |
Kinetic Slag Setup Checklist:
- Filter the shaker input so only the intended wet sand enters
- Create a separate buffer for regular slag before burning
- Use filters to feed burnt slag into the kinetic slag press gradually
- Separate golden spores and gold from the press output
- Test the system with a small batch before increasing throughput
For additional player-tested layout ideas, review the Sandustry kinetic slag press discussion on Steam. The discussion focuses on burnt slag clumping, filter spacing, slow-feed designs, and launcher-assisted clearing.
Q: What is the safest way to feed burnt slag into a kinetic slag press?
Use a vertical path with filters configured to allow burnt slag. The filters slow the flow and help keep particles from landing on one another in a large pile.
Q: Why does wet sand sometimes pass through the wrong filter?
Filters check the material directly above them, so a tall or uneven pile may not be inspected consistently. Compressing the flow through a bottleneck improves control.
Q: Should I use launchers or filters for kinetic slag processing?
Use filters to regulate the feed rate and launchers to move, split, or clear material. A stable design commonly uses both, but filters should handle the main throughput control.
Q: How can I stop spores from blocking the press?
Improve the output route so spores drain away from the press. A longer filter path or a wider output arrangement can reduce the chance that finished spores rise into the intake area.
Build for inspection first, then increase capacity. A visible filter, buffer, and return route make kinetic slag systems easier to maintain than a compact line with no overflow path.