UPDATED 08-Mar-2024 for factorio v1.1 compatability (previously v0.14)
A combinator contraption in 3 parts to allow a BRAG (Blue Red Amber Green) display of any item counts in your factory. Has a variety of uses, the most common being a method of showing ore levels in far flung outposts, displayed at the place that the ore is unloaded and consumed. (Throughout this description, 'ore' and 'ore type' are mentioned, but this system works for anything, such as plates, plastic, sulphur, fluid levels, etc.)
The system comprises a combinator contraption that sends a BRAG indicator, and a receiver that displays the BRAG. You can place as many senders as you like in the factory, you should have have 1 receiver 'row' per sender where you display what is being sent.
One blueprint is provided for all 3 parts to this system. You will need to create 3 separate blueprints from the one supplied. Each blueprint is shown in the screenshot, bounded by 'hazard' concrete (which is not included in the blueprint)
HOW TO USE THE 'sender'
The sender is the combinator contraption in the left hand hazard box. Use it as follows.
On the right is a constant combinator. You should edit 3 of the variables in the combinator when you place the blueprint
'R' is the level of ore in the chests which will cause a red light to show at the factory if the ore stored is less than this.
'A' is the level of ore in the chests which will cause an amber light if the ore is between 'R' and 'A', and a green light if the ore is greater than 'A'.
'4' is the Sender coefficient. Sender 1 '4' = 4, Sender 2 '4' = 4x4 = 16, Sender 3 '4' = 4x4x4 = 64, etc.
On the left is the combinator column that computes what is sent back to the factory from the bottom combinator.
HOW TO SET UP A sender
- Place the blueprint.
- Send your ore count on a green wire to the top combinator.
- Click the top combinator and change to the correct ore type for your outpost
- Click the bottom combinator to set the ore type for your outpost
- Send the output from the bottom combinator on a green wire back to the master receiver at the factory
HOW TO USE THE 'master receiver'
The master receiver is the combinator contraption in the lower right hazard zone on the screenshot. You will need one of these receivers for each ore type you want to display. So for example if you are sending BRAG data from iron, copper and coal outposts, you'll need 3 master receivers.
HOW TO SET UP A master receiver
- Place the blueprint anywhere in your factory
- Connect the bottom combinator to the green wire that is sending all the ore counts from all your senders