In the game Satisfactory, maximizing efficiency is crucial, and one effective way to enhance your factory’s output is by controlling the flow of materials. The Programmable Splitter enables you to specify different materials that can be routed through each conveyor belt, offering you much better management over your factory’s operations.
Though its major application is somewhat limited—since it needs several items on a single input belt—it can help streamline processes by consolidating multiple items onto one belt for easier transportation. Below, we’ll explore the steps to unlock the Programmable Splitter and how to put it to good use.
Unlocking the Programmable Splitter
You can unlock the Programmable Splitter through the Caterium research tree in the MAM. This tree unlocks after you’ve mined your first Caterium ore.
Before unlocking the Programmable Splitter itself, ensure you have completed the following nodes in the Caterium research tree:
- Caterium
- Caterium Ingots
- Quickwire
- Zipline
- AI Limiter
Once these nodes are accessed, you will need to invest 100 AI Limiters, 50 Computers, and 50 Heavy Modular Frames into your research. After a brief three-second wait, you’ll be able to create as many Programmable Splitters as you want. Each unit will cost 5 AI Limiters, 2 Computers, and 1 Heavy Modular Frame to build.
Using Programmable Splitters
To access the Programmable Splitter interface, press the interact button. You can then specify which items can flow through the left, center, and right outputs. For this system to function effectively, it’s essential that the input belt carries multiple item types.
In addition to selecting specific items, you can also choose options like Any, None, Any Undefined, and Overflow. Here’s what each one does:
- Any: Allows any item to be passed through this output, similar to a traditional Splitter.
- None: Blocks all items from passing through this output.
- Any Undefined: Routes items that aren’t specified in the other outputs to this output.
- Overflow: Utilized only when the other outputs are full or if an item isn’t defined in those outputs.
This set of rules allows you to create unique configurations, efficiently sorting your items and directing only what you need through each output.
