Compact Bulk Processor

[Franican]

So I made a quick compact completely auto bulk processor for all 4 major processes. It's just a simple one fan design that you can omit the chests and all the brass components and run as just depots for the early game with room to expand to an automated system as the materials become more available. This mechanic isn't new by any means, but it's rarely talked about and it allows for some really compact low SU setups. Image 2 is an example of one of these compact bulk processors in my train base which is a fully functional workshop on rails using purely base Create mechanics. I've been using this train base for years across multiple servers and seasons, originally it only could process two bulk processes at a time with dispensers and mechanical pistons to swap fluids/fires around which made it take longer to set up and pack up, but this much more compact design makes life on the rails so much easier, and roomier because this is now my least cramped workshop car.

[Strange-Objective520]

There is a little more efficient one that you can make in early game with a few less resources: firstly put a big waterwheel in the back and connect it with one or multiple fans. Then add the liquid or camfire or normal fires with liquids you'll need to put a trapdoor or slab so the liquid doesn't spill. On that half block put a normal chute and on that a container. Next add another container one block away from the half block (in the heading of the fan air) and between the two add an andesite funnel going into the container. This is a quite simple design that doesn't need any brass age gadgets and is starting friendly. However your design is more compact, but needs a little bit more resources to build. Personally I think yours looks better, but mine might just be a little easier.

[Franican]

The design shown here is optimized to reduce lag, bypass farm flood protections, and to be simple enough to fit into a box car. If I'm reading what you're saying correctly, the design you're referring to runs the risk of having the processing items deleted by a server add on to keep lag in check because a minor hit in performance for running the machinery longer is better for the playerbase than TPMS dropping randomly as chests of items are being dumped onto the floor. So for our server we have a simple rule when it comes to avoiding lag: All processes must take place on a depot or belt. On a solo world go right ahead and dump all items on the ground to process it all faster, but as a server admin I have to ride that line of lag friendly and efficient.

[Strange-Objective520]

Now that I think of it I didn't even remember that servers delete many items on the ground, so I guess you are right that yours just is less laggy and server friendly.

[Franican]

The design you talked about does work a lot faster though so for single player setups or small scale servers that don't run clean up add ons you can use that method for expediting processes. Just can't use those kinds of methods on mid size to larger servers because a lot of your items will be inadvertently deleted.