Molly Ayala
When playing the video game Factorio, players often wonder about the optimal ratio of electric mining drills to furnaces. The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of furnace (stone, steel, or electric), the player's level of mining productivity research, and the desired level of efficiency. While some players prefer to calculate the exact ratio through complex mathematics, others adopt a more flexible approach, adding furnaces and drills as needed to avoid constantly adjusting their setup. Ultimately, the ratio of electric mining drills to furnaces can vary, but players should aim for a balanced setup that minimizes idle machines and maximizes output.
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What You'll Learn
Stone Furnace to Electric Drill Ratio
The optimal Stone Furnace to Electric Drill ratio is a topic of discussion in the Factorio community. The ratio depends on various factors, including the type of furnace and drill, the material being mined or smelted, and the player's level of mining productivity research.
At the start of the game, it is recommended to have one electric drill supply two stone furnaces or approximately one steel or electric furnace. This is because stone furnaces run at half the speed of steel or electric furnaces, resulting in a 1:2 ratio for stone furnaces and a 1:1 ratio for steel or electric furnaces.
As the player progresses in the game and researches mining productivity, the ratio changes, allowing miners to supply more furnaces. With enough levels of research, one miner can saturate a blue belt. At this point, the ratio becomes less important, as the player is likely feeding the furnaces from multiple mines.
Some players aim for specific ratios, such as 7:4 or 7:2, based on mathematical calculations involving mining and smelting speeds. Others prefer a more flexible approach, adding furnaces and drills as needed to avoid constant adjustments.
It's worth noting that stone requires twice as many miners compared to iron or copper to supply the same number of furnaces producing the same quantity of output. However, stone is mined approximately 23% faster.
Ultimately, the optimal ratio depends on the player's specific circumstances and preferences. Some players focus on achieving the most efficient build, while others prioritise convenience and flexibility.
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Steel Furnace to Electric Drill Ratio
The Steel Furnace to Electric Drill Ratio is a topic of much discussion and debate among players of the game Factorio. The ratio is important for players to determine the number of furnaces that can be supplied by an electric mining drill, and vice versa.
The ratio is not a fixed value and can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of furnace and drill being used, as well as the player's level of progress in the game. For example, the ratio for steel and electric furnaces is different from that of stone furnaces, with the latter running at half the speed, resulting in a 1:2 ratio.
Some players have shared their calculations and experiences in determining the optimal ratio. One player suggested that the ratio starts at roughly 1:1, with miners harvesting iron or copper at a rate of 0.525 per second, while improved furnaces use the resources at a rate of 0.57 per second. As players progress in the game and research mining productivity, this ratio changes, allowing miners to supply more furnaces. With sufficient levels of research, a single miner can even saturate a blue belt.
Another player shared their experience, stating that they found the optimal ratio to be 7 stone furnaces for every 4 electric drills through mathematical calculations. This was further supported by another player who also arrived at the same ratio of 7:4 through their own calculations.
It is worth noting that some players have pointed out that the ratios may not always be the most efficient, as it can result in some furnaces being left with excess resources while others have none. Additionally, the game may introduce unexpected factors that can affect the actual behaviour, making it challenging to achieve the perfect ratio.
In conclusion, while there is no definitive answer to the Steel Furnace to Electric Drill Ratio, players can use these calculations and strategies as a guide to optimise their gameplay. The ratio is an important consideration in designing a proper smelting line and ensuring efficient resource utilisation in Factorio.
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Optimal ratios for efficiency
The optimal ratio of electric mining drills to furnaces depends on several factors, including the type of furnace, the material being mined and smelted, and the level of mining productivity research.
For stone furnaces, a ratio of 1:2 with electric mining drills is recommended, as stone furnaces operate at half the speed of electric mining drills. For steel or electric furnaces, a 1:1 ratio is a good starting point, but as mining productivity research progresses, this ratio can change, eventually allowing one miner to saturate a blue belt.
For iron and copper, a ratio of 5 drills to 4 steel furnaces is suggested when no mining productivity techs have been researched and the drills are not boosted. For stone, the ratio is 5 drills to 2 steel furnaces, as stone requires twice as many miners due to needing 2 stone per brick. However, it is important to note that stone is mined about 23% faster, which can affect the ratio.
Some players prefer to determine the production rate first and then calculate the required number of miners, rather than focusing solely on ratios. This approach ensures that the desired production output can be achieved. Additionally, it is common to overbuild miners and smelters to avoid constant adjustments and to ensure a continuous supply of resources.
The speed of belts and mining productivity settings also influence the optimal ratio. For example, with a yellow belt, 30 drills are needed to saturate it, and the number of drills per belt is a more practical consideration than the miner-to-smelter ratio.
Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all ratio for efficiency. The optimal ratio depends on various factors, and players may need to adjust their setups based on their specific circumstances and goals.
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Impact of mining productivity research
The impact of mining productivity research has been varied, with a range of factors influencing the productivity of mining operations.
Firstly, it is important to consider the measurement and interpretation of productivity in the mining industry, which can vary across different contexts. For instance, the Mining Productivity Index (MPI) developed by McKinsey specifically for the mining industry, has revealed a 3.5% annual decline in productivity over the past decade, indicating a 28% decrease in efficiency. This highlights the need for improved performance measurement and interpretation within the industry.
Secondly, technological advances and improved management practices have played a significant role in offsetting the negative impacts of resource depletion on long-term mining multifactor productivity (MFP). The increased use of open-cut mining, along with the automation and scale-up of mining equipment, has helped to improve productivity. However, the decline in world prices for minerals and energy commodities can delay expected rebounds in MFP.
Thirdly, the variable nature of ore grades and the depth of ore bodies significantly impact productivity. As mines are exploited, ore grades deteriorate, extraction costs rise, and output decreases. This has contributed to the decline in productivity observed across different commodities, including copper, iron ore, and coal.
Additionally, the impact of global economic developments, such as the surge in demand for metals and minerals in the early 2000s, has influenced productivity. During this period, cost increases related to expanding production spiralled out of control, impacting the industry's productivity goals.
Lastly, mining productivity research has led to the development of strategies to optimize the ratio of electric mining drills to furnaces. Players of the game Factorio, for instance, have shared strategies and calculations to determine the optimal number of furnaces per electric mining drill, taking into account factors such as mining speed, belt speed, and production rates.
In conclusion, the impact of mining productivity research has been multifaceted, influencing the measurement and interpretation of productivity, the adoption of new technologies and management practices, the understanding of ore grade impacts, and the development of strategic ratios to optimize mining operations. These factors collectively contribute to the overall productivity of the mining industry.
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Furnace speed and type
The number of furnaces an electric mining drill can supply depends on the type of furnace and its speed. Stone furnaces, for example, run at half the speed of steel or electric furnaces, so the ratio of drills to stone furnaces is higher than for the other types.
One source gives the ratio for stone furnaces as 1:2, meaning one electric mining drill can supply two stone furnaces. Another source suggests that seven stone furnaces are enough to smelt all the ore that four electric drills can mine, which equates to a ratio of 1:1.75.
For steel and electric furnaces, the ratio starts out at roughly 1:1, as miners harvest iron and copper slightly slower than furnaces use it. With enough levels of research, one miner can saturate a blue belt. Four to five tiers of mining productivity should be enough to make one electric mining drill able to feed one improved furnace.
The exact ratio also depends on other factors, such as mining productivity research, which affects how fast miners supply ore, and the "mining hardness" rating of different resources. For example, stone requires twice as many miners to supply the same number of furnaces as iron or copper, but it is also mined around 23% faster.
Some sources suggest that rather than focusing on the exact ratios, it is more common to simply add more drills or furnaces as needed to ensure the belt is saturated. This strategy ensures a constant supply of resources and avoids the need to constantly adjust the ratio of drills to furnaces.
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Frequently asked questions
The ratio of electric mining drills to furnaces depends on the type of furnace and the level of mining productivity research. With no modules, the ratio is roughly 2 stone, 1 steel, or 1 electric furnace per drill. With enough levels of research, one miner can saturate a blue belt.
You can determine the number of furnaces needed by first deciding on the desired production output and then working backward to calculate the number of miners and furnaces required to achieve that output.
The optimal ratio of stone furnaces to electric drills is generally accepted to be 7 stone furnaces to 4 electric drills. This ensures that all the ore mined by the electric drills can be smelted by the stone furnaces.
Common smelter strategies in Factorio include placing enough smelters to fully consume the ore brought by belts and overbuilding miners and smelters to avoid constant adjustments. It is also recommended to decouple miners from furnaces and produce in terms of saturated belts.
