The prototype Mk 2.1 Swarmer fleet frame quarry is now operational. These are very thin, extremely long frameships operated by remote. They have a 4-axis frame engine, with a width of only 3 to allow for an optimal drill head shape.
This model should be able to hold a drill head around 6 times longer than that shown before running up against the block limit.
Additionally, the Swarmer fleet command ship is currently a work in progress. The Swarmer fleet will have multiple frame quarry models, each tuned to the same receiver frequency. This allows the command ship to easily control the entire fleet, even without computers or complex wiring. The command ship will have any logic for operating the Swarmer fleet, as well as having its own 6-axis frame engine to keep up with and inspect the fleet from the air. It is currently in working order, though all commands are completely manual until I manage to automate things.
Command ship controls are in back, quarry controls up front (with front being the glass side). Though it will be automated, and will be more nice to look at in the future; may even have crafting stuff like on my personal frameship, as it will just sort of be a lounge from which to watch the world
burn be strip-mined to nothing.
I'm also considering giving the Swarmer quarries their own shield generator for flowing lava and water (as it seriously impedes the frame's ability to move, which in an automated system could be disastrous), though I need to look into how those work first to make sure it is viable.
For the skycity frames construction bay, one door is fully completed, with the second needing a few more ruby and iron covers, but mostly done. That's on hold for half a day or so while I get the beginnings of the Swarmer fleet up and running.
In the skycity drydocks, I'm thinking it will be several smaller areas branching into the main drydock for which the bay doors will be used. One such thing I've been considering, particularly as most on the server don't know too much about engine construction, is having an automated engine assembly line. Using frames, it shouldn't be too difficult for me to set up such a system; essentially build it one layer at a time like a 3D printer before spitting the whole thing out. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to automatically place microblocks. This means any engine design which it ends up creating will by necessity be inefficient and large compared to that which can be constructed by hand. A bit more design work needs to be done there, as I need to figure out a decent engine design which doesn't use blocks which can't be placed automatically, but it should be doable assuming there isn't some unforeseen roadblock. But that's still down the road a ways; not before next week anyway.
Poll
14 (93.3%)
Author
Topic: Forsaken's Gaming Servers (Read 292509 times)