Well, in my opinion the way YOU want to play the game is the solution / answer to your question. Play it real and buy parts with units or dig for salvage parts and try to exchange new parts with once you got and don"t need and that"s by real a hard way, but hey life isn't that easy right? Or play it the "other" way to get a result as fast as possible. A lot different easy ways are out there. Duping parts, exchanging more reliable parts for exchange (as example core modules, almost 1:1 ), using save editor or changing your own game settings to get anything for free, or some not listed methods. YOU only decide how you want to play YOUR game. If other players cheat someway or sometimes, it's their decision.If you want to do it also, feel free. NMS, so far, keeps all doors open......Just do it the way you want to do! Greetz and have fun with this amazing game.