Prerequisites and working space
Have these ready
- A reachable Sand source and a contained Water source.
- Shaker Research and basic Logistics for moving solids.
- A Filter configuration for separating Gold when streams meet.
- A Collector destination for the Gold bank.
- Open side access and an overflow area for cleanup.
Build the line from input to output
- Contain Water
Build a basin that does not leak through diagonal corners. Keep a shutoff point before the wetting cell.
- Meter Sand into the wetting cell
Let Sand contact Water in a small observable zone. One Sand plus one Water becomes two Wet Sand.
- Keep raw Sand out of the Shaker body
Route only the Wet Sand stage onward. A mixed pile makes the later symptom harder to identify.
- Feed a downward Shaker bank
Use a short diagonal so denser Wet Sand settles on the Shakers while lighter Residue can move toward a side exit.
- Leave the bottom open for Gold
Gold passes through the Shaker. Build a clean lower route rather than letting it mix back into the input.
- Send Gold to a Collector
Gold counts toward Research only after it reaches a Collector block.
- Route Residue away
Give the slow top output a visible side route and temporary buffer. Do not let it return to the wetting cell.
- Add overflow and service access
Reserve space to stop feed, remove contamination, and recover Wet Sand that misses the intended path.
- Start with one shallow batch
Watch the material cross every checkpoint before allowing a continuous stream.
| Stage | Expected result | Completion check | If it fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wetting | Sand + Water becomes Wet Sand | No raw Sand bypasses the contact zone. | Adjust containment and slow the feed. |
| Shaking | Residue on top; possible Gold below | Wet Sand reaches the Shaker surface. | Clear contamination and reduce pile depth. |
| Gold route | Gold falls into its own lower lane | Gold does not rejoin Wet Sand or Residue. | Filter the dense Gold at the first suitable point. |
| Residue route | Residue leaves the upper side | Top layer stays thin enough for Wet Sand to settle. | Add exit space or split the Shaker bank. |
| Collection | Gold reaches the bank | Research balance increases after Collector entry. | Inspect the final route and Collector opening. |
Startup check before continuous feed
Green-light checklist
- Water basin holds without a corner leak.
- Wet Sand has one clear route to the Shakers.
- The Shaker underside is open.
- Gold has a direct Collector path.
- Residue has a side exit and buffer.
- Overflow cannot fall back into the input.
- Every stage can be reached without dismantling the line.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First correction |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Sand reaches the Shakers | Wetting is incomplete or feed is too deep. | Reduce Sand input and lengthen the contact zone. |
| Wet Sand piles above the first Shaker | Feed exceeds processing or Residue cannot leave. | Pause input, clear the top, and split into shorter banks. |
| Gold remains mixed with Residue | The lower route reconnects with the top output. | Separate vertically and filter Gold before the streams merge. |
| Gold appears but the bank does not rise | It has not entered a Collector. | Trace the final lane into the Collector opening. |
| The line works briefly then floods | Water has no shutoff or Wet Sand overflow returns to the basin. | Close Water input and create a separate overflow catch. |
Update record
- 2026-08-21 — Expanded the thin route description into an end-to-end build and startup sequence.
- 2026-08-21 — Removed implied handoff to a separate Shaker layout and linked symptom-led Shaker troubleshooting instead.
Frequently asked questions
How does the first automated line make Gold?
Sand and Water form Wet Sand. A Shaker turns each Wet Sand into Residue and has a 25 percent chance to produce Gold through its bottom. Route that Gold to a Collector so it counts toward Research.
How many Shakers should I use?
The sources do not support one universal ratio. Begin with a small observable bank, add feed slowly, and expand only after Wet Sand, Gold, and Residue all have clear destinations.
What should happen to Residue?
Move it away from the Shaker top into a separate buffer or later processing route. Burning and Kinetic Press processing belong to the next stage; they should not be mixed into the first startup test.