In the world of Minecraft modding, few combinations are as powerful and widely used as Refined Storage and Mekanism. These two mods bring advanced automation and processing capabilities into the game, and players often look for ways to integrate them effectively. One such integration revolves around the Metallurgic Infuser from Mekanism and how it can be used in a system powered by Refined Storage. For players diving deep into modded Minecraft, understanding how to automate and optimize the Metallurgic Infuser using Refined Storage can be a game-changer for mid to late-game progression. This guide explores how to connect, configure, and fully utilize these two systems together.
Understanding the Metallurgic Infuser
Core Functionality
The Metallurgic Infuser is one of the most essential machines in Mekanism. It is used to infuse various base materials like iron, redstone, diamond dust, and coal with infuse types to create more advanced alloys and components. These materials are essential for progressing through Mekanism’s tech tree and crafting machines such as Enrichment Chambers, Factories, and Energy Cubes.
- Infuse Types: Redstone (for basic alloys), Carbon (coal/charcoal), Diamond Dust (reinforced alloys), and more.
- Base Items: Iron ingots, osmium ingots, refined obsidian, etc.
- Outputs: Infused alloys like Enriched Alloy, Reinforced Alloy, Atomic Alloy, etc.
Why Automate with Refined Storage?
Manually feeding and managing the Metallurgic Infuser becomes inefficient as you scale up your resource production. Refined Storage allows for precise item routing, recipe control, and integration with external machines through exporters, importers, and interfaces. With these tools, you can automate alloy production seamlessly, eliminating the need for micromanagement.
Setting Up Refined Storage with the Metallurgic Infuser
Basic Components Needed
To begin automation, you’ll need a few key components from the Refined Storage mod:
- Controller: Powers the entire RS network.
- Importer: Pulls items from external inventories into the RS system.
- Exporter: Pushes items from RS storage into external machines.
- External Storage: Used if you’re storing infuse materials in chests or drawers.
- Cables: Connect your RS components together.
- Patterns and Pattern Grid (optional): Used for crafting automation if you want to make alloys on demand.
Exporting Items to the Infuser
To use the Metallurgic Infuser with Refined Storage, you will typically need two exporters one for the infuse material and another for the base item. These must be connected to the appropriate sides of the infuser:
- Infuse Side: This is usually configured in the GUI of the infuser to accept redstone, carbon, or other infusion material.
- Item Input Side: The side where the main material (like iron ingots) enters.
In the RS network, configure each exporter with the correct item. You can also use stack upgrades and speed upgrades to increase throughput, especially useful for batch processing.
Importing the Output
Place anImporteron the output side of the Metallurgic Infuser to collect the finished product (e.g., Enriched Alloy) and send it back to the Refined Storage system. This allows for continuous production as long as input materials are available.
Using Crafting Automation
Crafting on Demand
If you want to produce Enriched Alloy only when needed, you can set up a crafting pattern in thePattern Grid. Here’s how:
- Create a processing pattern that tells the system: 1 Iron Ingot + 10 Redstone = 1 Enriched Alloy.
- Insert this pattern into aCrafterattached to the Metallurgic Infuser.
- Configure the infuser so it accepts inputs from the correct sides.
- Ensure exporters or the crafter feed items properly into each slot.
This way, you can request alloys on demand through the RS terminal, and the system will automatically feed the correct items and retrieve the finished product.
Managing Infuse Types
One challenge is that the infuse buffer inside the Metallurgic Infuser doesn’t automatically reset when a different type of infusion material is used. This means that if you infuse with redstone, then later try to use carbon, it won’t work unless the redstone buffer is empty. Here are two ways to handle this:
- Dedicated Infusers: Build one Metallurgic Infuser for each infuse type. This avoids contamination and simplifies automation.
- Buffer Management: Manually or automatically drain the buffer before switching infuse types using pipes or item routing mods (e.g., Integrated Dynamics).
Performance Optimization
Speed Upgrades
Both Refined Storage and the Metallurgic Infuser can be upgraded to perform faster. AddSpeed Upgradesto your Importers and Exporters to increase item transfer rates. Inside the Metallurgic Infuser, addSpeedandEnergy Upgradesto accelerate processing and reduce energy consumption.
Energy Considerations
The more automated your system becomes, the more energy it consumes. Make sure your power generation (solar, fission, reactors, etc.) keeps up with the demand. Consider using Energy Cubes to store and manage excess power.
Integration Tips
Redstone Control
Use redstone logic to enable or disable certain parts of your network. This is useful for managing resources or pausing production when storage is full. Refined Storage interfaces well with redstone signals, especially when used with external mods like XNet or RFTools.
Storage Filtering
Set filters on Importers and Exporters to control which items are allowed in and out. This ensures your Metallurgic Infuser doesn’t get jammed with the wrong materials.
Backup and Overflow
Use drawers or backup chests to store overflow outputs or rare materials that might clog your RS network. Integrating aStorage Drawer Controllerwith an External Storage block gives you hybrid access to bulk storage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using only one infuser for all alloy types, causing infuse material conflicts.
- Not using filters, resulting in incorrect materials entering the machine.
- Forgetting to use Importers, leaving finished items stuck in the output slot.
- Running out of power due to excessive speed upgrades without proper generation.
The integration of Refined Storage with the Metallurgic Infuser opens up a powerful realm of automation possibilities in modded Minecraft. Whether you’re producing Enriched Alloys, Reinforced Alloys, or Obsidian-infused components, setting up an efficient RS-connected processing system can save hours of gameplay and make complex crafting chains manageable. By properly configuring exporters, importers, and crafting automation, you can build a system that produces exactly what you need, when you need it no micromanagement required. With a bit of setup and smart planning, your base can run like a well-oiled machine, turning raw materials into high-tech components around the clock.