Transport Belt
The silent, rubberized veins that pulse with the lifeblood of a fully automated factory.
The Transport Belt is the fundamental circulatory system of any industrial colony in Factorio, serving as the primary method for moving resources between machines without human intervention. Introduced immediately upon the player's arrival on the alien planet, this simple yet revolutionary device consists of a continuous loop of rubberized material driven by silent friction rollers. It transforms static piles of raw ore and refined components into a flowing river of industry, enabling the first steps toward automation.
- Type
- Logistics Infrastructure
- Tier
- Basic / Early Game
- Speed
- 32 items per second (standard)
- Capacity
- Variable based on item size and belt length
- Power Source
- None (Passive mechanical device)
- Unlock Requirement
- Technology: Transport Belts
Lore & Background
While seemingly simple, the belt is a marvel of friction engineering. Its ability to carry items at a constant speed regardless of load (until saturation) creates a unique rhythm in the factory floor. In the grand history of the colony, the transition from manual carrying to belt-based transport is often cited as the moment the settlement ceased being a camp and became a civilization capable of exponential growth.
In Their Own Story
The dust of the alien plains swirled around the Engineer's boots as they placed the first belt on the ground. It hummed with a low, rhythmic friction sound, a stark contrast to the silence of the wasteland. A single iron ore rolled onto the rubber surface and began its journey toward the furnace. Watching that solitary stone glide effortlessly into the fire, the Engineer realized that this simple strip of material was the key to building an empire.
Reader's Guide
The Transport Belt moves items automatically from one end to the other at a fixed speed of 32 items per second for standard-sized objects. It requires no power or fluid input; it functions purely through mechanical motion once placed. To utilize belts effectively, players must connect them between mining drills and furnaces, or between assemblers and storage chests. Items will flow naturally until the belt is full, at which point they stop moving upstream, creating a buffer that prevents machine starvation. Optimal placement involves minimizing unnecessary turns and using splitters to divide flows evenly among multiple machines. For high-throughput lines, stacking belts vertically or horizontally increases capacity significantly. Always ensure the destination has enough space to accept items, or the entire line will bottleneck.
Did You Know?
- The Transport Belt requires no power or fluid input; it functions purely through mechanical motion once placed.
- Items flow naturally until the belt is full, at which point they stop moving upstream, creating a buffer that prevents machine starvation.
- The belt carries items at a constant speed of 32 items per second for standard-sized objects.
- Optimal placement involves minimizing unnecessary turns and using splitters to divide flows evenly among multiple machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary function of a Transport Belt?
It serves as the fundamental method for moving resources between machines without manual intervention. This passive device connects miners to processing units, creating the first automated assembly lines.
Does the Transport Belt require electricity to operate?
No, these mechanical devices function passively and draw zero power from your factory grid. They rely on internal friction rollers to maintain continuous movement of items.
How many items can a standard belt carry per second?
A vanilla Transport Belt moves exactly 32 items per second along its length under normal conditions. This throughput defines the baseline capacity for early game logistics planning.
When is this technology unlocked in the research tree?
Transport Belts are available immediately after unlocking the first science pack tier at the start of the game. They are essential for transitioning from manual gathering to industrial automation.
Can items flow both ways on a single belt segment?
Each placed segment only allows movement in one fixed direction determined by its orientation. Reversing or splitting flow requires placing additional belts or using specific merge devices.
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