Smart Splitter

The Smart Splitter is a smart version of the Splitter that allows for setting one filter on each of its outputs. It is useful when you have a conveyor belt that transports different items and you want to split one type of item out and onto another belt.

Filters

 * Looking into the input of the splitter, the splitter has 3 outputs named Left output, Center output, and Right output.
 * Each output can be set to one filter for a specific item (which you can choose from a list):
 * Any: Allows all item to pass through. The default setting for the center output.
 * None: This disables the selected outlet connector. The default setting for both left and right outputs.
 * Undefined: Allows any item not 'defined' in all other outputs. For example, if two of the outlets are 'defined' as 'Plastic' and 'Rubber', then 'Undefined' will allow all but Plastic and Rubber to flow through.
 * Overflow: Overflowing items will be passed through the selected output connector. Very useful for factory buildings involving solid by-products.
 * The outputs are processed in a specific order: center output first, left output, right output. If all output matching a specific item type is full, the input is blocked and no further items will be passing through the Smart Splitter until the output is cleared or an Overflow outlet is set.

Usage cases

 * To distribute an incoming belt or truck station from a faraway production outpost into belts for individual items.
 * To send overflowing items to an AWESOME Sink or to Storage Containers to prevent Refineries from jamming up.
 * To prioritize one part of a factory production over the other.

Trivia

 * When using a Smart Splitter to separate items out for use as input into a production building, you will want to add buffers in the form of Storage Containers on the outputs of the Smart Splitter. Without this, it is going to be very easy to block the input of your Smart Splitter and make it somewhat difficult to resolve issues manually.
 * It is impossible to perfectly balance inputs and outputs of production buildings, so using Smart Splitter outputs anywhere as production inputs will at some point in time require manual intervention to clear a blockage. Adding more/bigger output buffering reduces the incidence rate, but keep in mind you may need to intervene at some point in time.
 * The AWESOME Sink can be used to dump excess items to prevent blockages at the cost of 30 MW of power, however some items will be lost to the Sink even when the system is not blocked.
 * You can perfectly replicate the functionality of the Programmable Splitter using a chain of Smart Splitters and Conveyer Mergers on the outputs. The main advantage of the Programmable Splitter is that it is easier to build and configure, and uses much less space. But if you don't yet have access to the Programmable Splitter, this can be done.

History

 * Patch 0.3.4.6: Added “Overflow” rule
 * Patch 0.3.4.2: Now should no longer back up on duplicate rule definitions
 * Patch 0.2.1.11: Added “Any Undefined” rule, which only sends items through that are not defined to go to any other output
 * Patch 0.2.1.9: Now should use more than one output when there are multiple outputs with a matching rule
 * Patch 0.1.5: changed crafting cost from 3 Reinforced Iron Plate to 2 Encased Industrial Beam.