Guide to Research and Development

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Research & Development

The main purpose to RnD is to provide upgrades to the various machines running around the station, while also often being required to complete the various main station objectives. To perform the RnD role, you will need to construct and deconstruct various items, in order, to get research levels, which in turn grants access to more complex and powerful items. Tools such as the jaws of life and powerful weapons, are also unlocked at higher tech levels. Do note that some items require toxin research, performed in the toxin test area, read this guide to find out more.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is a simple process. You place the item you want to deconstruct into the Analyzer, head into the RnD console and deconstruct the item to gain appropriate levels. Information about the item in the Destructive Analyzer is given on the console, showing you what levels the item possesses and the levels already present on the network. If the item in the Destructive Analyzer has an equal or higher tech level in any category than what is currently present on the database, you can hit deconstruct and that item will be broken down, increasing the tech level in the database by 1. It is best to only deconstruct an item if the level is equal to the database, as it is often wasteful to deconstruct items that are a couple of levels higher, which could be used when you reach that level to achieve higher results. You are also able to eject items that you don't want to deconstruct.

The majority of the items you will need to break down will be constructed from the Protolathe and Circuit Imprinter, but for higher tier technologies, items from other departments will be required. A list of items and the order in which they should be broken down to get to a baseline of level 5 can be found here. Do note however that this list is not necessarily the most efficient and experimentation and additional investigation is recommended. Here is a helpful tool for simulating items you can deconstruct, should you wish to experiment. The filter button will filter for items that will only improve the selected tech level.

Protolathe

The Protolathe allows you create advanced items and tools, when you have the appropriate levels required to unlock them, check here for a list of things you can create. You start with the most basic items available,akin to an autolathe, which you will use to upgrade the tech level to access more complicated things. Basic items, will require mainly metal and glass, but as you start printing more advanced items, you will need a variety of resources in order to construct them, so there is a close tie to mining, and upgrading their ORM is essential, if you want a steady supply of resources.

Circuit Imprinter

The circuit imprinter prints off the boards for machines and consoles, once again requiring certain tech levels to be achieved before more complex boards can be made. AI related boards as well as exosuit control modules are built here. The imprinter requires only glass for most boards, with a handful of items requiring metal as well.

Server Saving

Make sure to head into settings and sync with database periodically. This will update the server on the station, making a back-up and granting access to the established tech levels. The Research Director can access the R&D server management computer and either transfer or delete research blueprints to other computers on station.Robotics will require access to tech levels, and as such syncing the server is essential for them to operate successfully.