Disassembler

The Disassembler is a late-game resource processor that converts scrap and slag into small amounts of basic and advanced materials. It consumes a large amount of power while running, takes scrap and slag as inputs, and produces one of four items at random: sand, graphite, titanium, or thorium. Its output is weighted toward sand, with the other three items each appearing less often, so its average production is steady in the long run but irregular in the short term.

Because the Disassembler can generate thorium, it is useful in sectors where thorium ore is unavailable, as long as thorium is supplied in the starting loadout or imported to cover build costs. It can also support Thorium Reactor setups by producing both thorium for fuel and titanium for cryofluid production. In practice, a single Disassembler at full capacity can provide enough of both to sustain several reactors and a cryofluid mixer, but its random output makes it better as a supplement to dedicated production chains than as the only source. This is especially important for titanium, since interruptions in cryofluid production can have severe consequences.

Its other outputs are also useful in production chains. Sand output is slightly higher on average than a Pulverizer, though the Disassembler is less consistent and much more expensive in power and scrap consumption. The sand can feed further processing into silicon or phase fabric, depending on available materials. Graphite is less critical by the time the Disassembler becomes available, but it can still help replace or reinforce graphite production and provide ammunition for defensive turrets. The block’s output is broad enough that it can contribute to several different parts of a base at once, but its mixed products mean it should usually be paired with sorters or other item-routing blocks to prevent clogging.

• Use item sorting and separate conveyor lines if a specific material is needed, since the Disassembler outputs multiple item types.
• It works well as a support block near Thorium Reactors, both for thorium and for titanium-based cryofluid production.
• The random output makes it unreliable as a sole source for any single item, especially titanium.
• Since the block is expensive and power-hungry, it is best placed in a base that already has stable power generation and item throughput.

The Disassembler was introduced in version 6.0. Later updates reduced its build time and changed its build cost, increased its health, and slightly increased its slag consumption rate.