Workshop blueprint / FRM-03

Automatic Watering - A Repairable First System

A one-row watering gantry with separated water delivery and arm movement, designed to expand only after one complete pass works.

Intermediate35–55 minutes1 mechanicVersion 1.0

Choose this build when

Straight crop rows near a fixed water supply
Players learning Controller and Piston timing
Farms that still retain manual bucket access

Choose another approach when

Soil spacing changes from row to row
The farm has no reliable refill path
A Water Bucket is still faster for the current plot size

01 / Size the job

Workshop baseline

Use these dimensions and targets for the first working version. They are a practical starting layout, not a fixed in-game preset; adjust them only after the baseline passes its tests.

Plan the craftable parts →

01First row: 8–12 soil plots
02Gantry width: Row width + 2 blocks
03Water storage: 1 Water Container
04Delivery: 1 Water Cannon
05Movement: 1–2 Pistons
06Fallback: Manual bucket access

02 / Prepare the bench

Part manifest

The quantities below describe one baseline build. Optional parts are marked so you can prove the working system before spending on lighting, storage, or automation.

PartQtyJob in this buildPriority

Metal Block Level 1× 40

Gantry and service frame

Required

Water Container× 1

Stored water

Required

Water Cannon× 1

Crop delivery

Required

Piston Level 1× 2

Controlled row travel

Required

Controller Level 1× 1

Out-and-return sequence

Required

Switch× 2

Master stop and water enable

Required

Button× 1

Start one watering cycle

Required

Sensor Level 1× 1

Optional end-position confirmation

Optional

03 / Count before crafting

Direct crafting cost

This total multiplies each listed part by its preferred Craftbot or Mechanic Station recipe. Processed materials and block recipes are shown as direct inputs instead of being expanded into every earlier production step.

Craftable part types: 8/8
Station time: 2m 15s
Input types: 7

Recalculate in the Crafting Planner →

Combined direct inputsFRM-03

Scrap Metal Block× 80

Metal Block Level 1× 29

Metal Block Level 2× 20

40 neededMetal Block Level 1

Craftbot4 batches · 20sAvailable from the start

Scrap Metal Block × 80

1 neededWater Container

Craftbot1 batch · 30sQuest or Farmer task

Metal Block Level 1 × 10Circuit Board × 5Glue × 4

1 neededWater Cannon

Craftbot1 batch · 30sQuest or Farmer task

Metal Block Level 1 × 10Circuit Board × 1Glue × 2

2 neededPiston Level 1

Craftbot2 batches · 20sQuest or Farmer task

Metal Block Level 2 × 20Component Kit × 2Circuit Board × 2

1 neededController Level 1

Craftbot1 batch · 10sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 5Component Kit × 1Circuit Board × 5Glue × 1

2 neededSwitch

Craftbot2 batches · 10sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 2Circuit Board × 2

1 neededButton

Craftbot1 batch · 5sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 1Circuit Board × 1

1 neededSensor Level 1

Craftbot1 batch · 10sTrader recipe offer

Metal Block Level 1 × 1Glass Block × 1Component Kit × 1Circuit Board × 3

04 / Build in testable systems

Construction sequence

Do not place the next system until the checkpoint under the current stage is true. That keeps steering, motion, power, and storage failures separate.

Stage goal

Mark the crop envelope

Define the exact first and last soil positions before machinery is built.

Place one straight row of 8–12 soil plots.
Leave a service lane beside the row.
Mark the Cannon height and end clearance with temporary blocks.

Stage goal

Prove water delivery

Confirm the Container and Cannon work before movement is added.

Mount and fill the Water Container.
Connect the Cannon through its own Switch.
Aim at the nearest and farthest plot from a fixed position.

Stage goal

Add a slow arm sequence

Move through the full row without collision or repeated start inputs.

Align two Pistons on the same travel axis.
Use the Controller to extend and return slowly.
Add a master stop reachable from the service lane.

Stage goal

Water one complete row

Measure coverage before duplicating the design.

Enable water and trigger one cycle.
Inspect every plot for a missed edge.
Adjust soil or Cannon position rather than adding speed.

05 / Use the right tool at the right moment

Workshop tools

Each tool below has a specific job in this build. Finish that job, then move to the next stage instead of wiring and tuning everything at once.

Wiring

Connect Tool

Keeps the start input, movement sequence, and water trigger readable.

Commissioning

Paint Tool

Marks start, end, stop, and water controls with different colors.

Arm construction

Lift

Supports the arm while piston alignment is checked.

06 / Check every signal

Connection map

Read each row from input to output. Name or color the physical controls to match this map before closing the bodywork.

Start ButtonArm motion

ControllerOne cycle

ControllerRow travel

PistonsSlow synchronized path

Water SwitchDelivery test and override

Water CannonIndependent enable

Master SwitchEmergency stop

Movement chainSafe off state

07 / Commission the build

Test bench

Run these checks with the normal load fitted. If one fails, make the listed physical change and repeat that same test before changing another variable.

TestPass conditionIf it fails

Dry pass

No moving block enters the crop or service lane

Raise the gantry or shorten travel

Coverage count

Every plot changes to watered state

Adjust Cannon height or row spacing

Interrupted cycle

Master stop halts motion without trapping the arm

Add a manual position control

08 / Adapt after it works