Factorio Forums

Test: 200 iron plates in each car for a total of 800 iron plates per train.

On each side, the last iron plate goes into the storage chests at the same time. However, the blue inserters maintain a constant, consistent throughput while the red inserters on the lowest car block about halfway through the unload.

Conclusion: double rows of red inserters are lots faster than a single row of blue iserters - they can saturate a blue belt

I am not entirely sure this test was accurate, you have far more inserters than an standard blue belt can handle.
This makes the test all about "what is the best way to saturate a blue belt?" instead of seeing which inserter unloads a train faster.

And about your last statement;

they can saturate a blue belt

those red inserters are not better, they just have a better belt configuration.

But all in all, this is something ive been wanting to test myself so I might post my own results.

What he did is, to use two long arm inserters vs. one fast inserter. That's of course faster, with two, cause
https://forums.factorio.com/wiki/inde ... rter_speed

Test:
New game, no tech, 2 rail with wagon (the same position in both setups), 3000 items per wagon, unload into chests.
When red inserters unloaded all items, in another wagon left ~780 items.
Red inserters are faster ~35%

What wonders me is the difference in theoretical vs. practical speed:

Fast inserter: 0.476 rotations per second.
Long handed inserter: 0.833 rotations per second.
Two long hand inserters: 0.833 / 2 = 0.4165 rotations/sec.

0.476 / 0.4165 = 1.143 % more speed. In theory of course!

Where are the missing 21% comming from? It doesn't make any sense.

And is there any more, than just pictures?

Well, from extension speed difference. Long handed inserter extends less while reaching the center.

@ssilk

your rotational math is wrong. there are 2 red inserters not 1/2 a red inserter so
1 red inserter: 0.833 rot/sec

2 red inserters: 0.833 * 2 = 1.666 rot/sec

some of that rotational speed difference will be eaten up by their slower speed

I could post gifs or something on imgur if you want to see it in action. Does anyone have a recommendation for recording software?
I can also post the save once the re-org is done. I did this test while setting up the smelting; the oil refinery is almost finished and then I have to move circuit production and the main base.

@ssilk

Ah, you were using secs/turn not turns/sec. My mistake. Your math checks out.

yeah, sorry, anywhere between keyboard and chair the right order of the units got lost.

In doubt this is the reference: https://forums.factorio.com/wiki/inde ... rter_speed

I've run similar tests, and even posted them here in the forums. I've gotten speeds up +50% faster using red vs blue. The limiting factor isn't rotational speed, it is extension speed. It takes a while to extend and retract the arms. I've posted some detailed testing on it.