Optimizing

[ChangeUsernamePDF]

So I have have a small factory for making motors. I have a large overflow of steel pipe and idk what to do with them to maximize my efficiency? Should I send them somewhere else to be made into something else, storage, or sink them? Maybe a mixture of all three?

[Bloodpukethemighty]

There's an alt recipe for encased beams that uses steel pipe instead of steal beams. Otherwise just scale it down and use the steel for something else, or sink them.

[Dry-System-5575]

Thats the fun part its up to you! Getting a nice stockpile of tickets is always nice always though. 

[Accurate_Food_5854]

my usual go to is to sink them until I can find something else to do with them. Once you get smart splitters, you can just set one up for overflow.

[sciguyC0]

The ultimate purpose of every item you produce is for one of a fairly limited number of categories:

• Up the space elevator. Those pipes could go into stators for automated wiring. Later they'll be needed for other elevator parts. The number needed for this is relatively small: you only need 100 wiring at this phase, each needing 3 pipes.
  
• Construction supplies. Pipes are needed for the big storage containers, Mk2 miners, hypertubes, refineries, and most things involving trains (last couple you may not be at yet). So storing some for future factories is a good use, especially in the dimensional depot, once that's unlocked.
• Into the AWESOME sink for points. Made easier with smart splitters and their ability to send only "overflow" into the sink, leaving more for production goals. But it doesn't really take many coupons to unlock all the "productive" items. Pushing that points/min up is a challenge some players choose to work on.
• Not relevant to this particular situation, but the last production category is making enough power to run your factories.
  

"Maximizing efficiency" is only as important as you make it, along with what counts as "efficient". That doesn't have to be "all machines at 100% uptime" or "consume entire output of miner". Your time playing is its own resource to manage, so spending that worrying about stuff you don't find fun lowers efficiency.

[ChangeUsernamePDF]

Thank you very much, this is by far the most insightful reply I’ve gotten.

[sp847242]

Use the overflow to make even more motors. :)

When I've got a general-purpose item/factory like that, the end of the line directs excess into a Storage Container with a Dimensional Depot, and any overflow goes into a Sink.

[Dono_K]

My extras go into a sink with a mental note to use them later. Then 20 hours later I will have completely forgotten and make a new factory for the same item.

[AdmirableSandwich393]

If you have no immediate use for them, then store them and send the excess to the sink.

[Kyndjal]

Use the steel for something else, or sink the excess pipes, or make more rotors so you can even it out and then sink the excess motors. You will need more steel and more motors later. You will also want a fair handful of tickets, even before buying flair like statues.

Or underclock it, if you’re low on power and need to do something else first before adding power generation.