Components are intermediate items that connect raw materials to functional production systems in Alchemy Factory. While raw materials provide the foundation, components enable machines, automation chains, and scalable factory layouts.
Most production setups described in beginner and automation guides rely heavily on components. Understanding how they work — and why they are important — is a major step toward building a stable and efficient factory.
What Are Components?
In Alchemy Factory, components are items that:
- Are crafted from raw materials
- Serve as building blocks for machines or systems
- Are reused across multiple production chains
Components are rarely final products. Instead, they act as connectors between gathering, processing, and automation. Because of this, component shortages often cause cascading production issues.
When Components Become Important
Components usually become relevant once basic production is established. At this stage:
- Raw material input is stable
- Simple processing chains are running
- Factory layouts begin to expand
As production complexity increases, components become one of the most frequently consumed item types in the game. This phase is covered extensively in the Beginner and Early Automation Guides.
Common Types of Components
Below are common categories of components typically used during early and mid-stage factory development.
Structural Components
Structural components are used to support machines, layouts, and physical production setups.
Typical roles:
- Supporting machine placement
- Connecting production modules
- Enabling scalable layouts
These components are often used repeatedly as factories expand.
Mechanical Components
Mechanical components enable movement, processing, or transformation.
Common characteristics:
- Required for machines and automation systems
- Often crafted from processed raw materials
- High reuse across different systems
Mechanical components are a cornerstone of automated production.
Binding and Connector Components
Some components function primarily as connectors. They are commonly used to:
- Link different systems together
- Enable transport or routing
- Stabilize production flow
Although simple, these components frequently appear in multiple recipes.
Why Components Create Bottlenecks
Many players encounter production slowdowns not because of missing machines, but because of component shortages.
Common reasons include:
- Underestimating component demand
- Using components in too many systems at once
- Failing to stockpile frequently used parts
Because components are reused so often, small inefficiencies quickly multiply.
How Components Fit Into Production Chains
A typical component lifecycle looks like this:
- Raw Materials Input — Gathered or harvested resources.
- Processing — Raw materials are refined or shaped.
- Component Crafting — Intermediate items are produced.
- System Integration — Components are consumed by machines, layouts, or automation systems.
Understanding this flow helps players identify where bottlenecks originate.
Managing Component Supply Efficiently
To maintain stable production:
- Produce components slightly ahead of demand
- Separate component production from final products
- Monitor frequently used components closely
As factories grow, dedicated component production lines often become necessary.
How Components Connect to Other Item Categories
Components are closely linked with:
- Raw Materials – Primary inputs
- Solid Materials – Processed construction resources
- Fuel – Powering component-related machines
- Potions and Liquids – Indirectly through machine chains
Because of this, components act as the bridge between simple gathering and advanced systems.
What to Read Next
After understanding components, most players move on to:
- Potions in Alchemy Factory — Finished alchemy products
- Automation Guide — Scaling systems using components
- Fuel and Power Items — Supporting larger setups
Final Notes
Components may not look impressive on their own, but they are essential to nearly every functional system in Alchemy Factory. Efficient component management reduces downtime, simplifies expansion, and makes automation far easier to maintain.
This page will evolve as new components and systems are introduced during Early Access.