Table of Contents

AE2 Mechanics: Autocrafting

Author Applied Energistics Team
Category Storage & Automation

Autocrafting is one of the core functions of AE2. It allows your ME Network to:

Function Description
Automatic Assembly Items and fluids are crafted on demand.
Export Automation Crafted items can be sent directly into machines or inventories.
Stock Control Networks can maintain set amounts of items in storage.
Extended Support With addons, autocrafting can handle fluids, gases (Mekanism), and more.

Autocrafting is complex, but once mastered it becomes one of the most powerful automation tools in modded Minecraft.

How Autocrafting Works

An autocrafting setup always requires three core components:

Component Purpose
Request Source Player terminal, Export Bus, or Interface with a crafting card.
Crafting CPU Manages the job, calculates ingredients, and stores intermediates.
Pattern Provider Pushes inputs into machines and accepts results back.

Process of a Crafting Job:

  1. A request is created (terminal / automation).
  2. The Crafting CPU calculates the required steps.
  3. Pattern Providers push inputs into machines:
  4. Crafting recipes → Molecular Assemblers
  5. Processing recipes → Modded machines / setups
  6. Results re-enter the ME Network (via Import Bus, Interface, or Provider).
  7. Intermediate products are held in the CPU until needed.

Patterns

Patterns are encoded in a Pattern Encoding Terminal using blank patterns.

Types of Patterns

Pattern Type Function
Crafting Encodes crafting table recipes. Used with Pattern Providers + Molecular Assemblers.
Smithing Table Encodes smithing recipes. Automated like crafting patterns.
Stonecutting Encodes stonecutter recipes. Automated like crafting patterns.
Processing Defines input → output, regardless of process. Works with machines, smelters, or full production chains. Supports batching (e.g., 8 cobblestone → 8 stone).

The Most General Pattern

Method Usage
Level Emitter + Crafting Card Emits redstone to request items regardless of input. Useful for infinite farms or recursive recipes (e.g., cobble duplication).

Crafting CPUs

Crafting CPUs are multiblocks that manage jobs. They must form a rectangular prism.

Components

Component Role
Crafting Storage (Required) Determines job size. Sizes: 1k, 4k, 16k, 64k, 256k.
Co-Processing Unit (Optional) Sends ingredients to multiple machines at once.
Crafting Monitor (Optional) Displays active jobs. Can be dyed.
Crafting Unit (Optional) Filler block to shape the multiblock.

Behavior

Feature Details
Job Handling Each CPU handles one job. Multiple jobs require multiple CPUs.
Intermediates Stores items between multi-step recipes.
Request Sources Can accept requests from players, automation, or both.

Pattern Providers

Pattern Providers push ingredients to machines and handle returned results.

Behavior

Rule Details
Ingredient Handling Inputs are pulled directly from the CPU, never stored in the provider.
Push Mode Always sends all ingredients at once (no partial batches).
Output Handling Results can be piped back into the same provider, saving channels.

Subnet Interaction

Interaction Details
With Empty Interface Provider bypasses the interface and injects straight into subnet storage.

Parallelization

Rule Details
Multiple Providers Identical patterns run in parallel.
Distribution Providers round-robin jobs across connected faces.

Variants

Variant Function
Normal Pushes to all sides. Full network connection.
Directional Pushes only to one side. No connection on that side (used for subnets).
Flat Cable part. Multiple can share a single cable for compact setups.

Settings

Setting Purpose
Blocking Mode Prevents new batches if ingredients remain in machine.
Lock Crafting Holds provider until previous result is inserted or under redstone.
Visibility Can hide or show in Pattern Access Terminals.
Priority Higher priority providers are chosen when multiple patterns exist.

Molecular Assemblers

The Molecular Assembler executes recipes from patterns.

Role Function
Craft Execution Runs Crafting, Smithing, and Stonecutting Patterns.
Output Auto-ejects results to adjacent inventories.
Pairing Works best directly next to Pattern Providers.

Summary

AE2 Autocrafting combines four parts:

Component Function
Patterns Define recipes.
Pattern Providers Push inputs and receive results.
Molecular Assemblers Execute crafting recipes.
Crafting CPUs Manage jobs and intermediates.

This system scales from simple smelting to massive modded megafactories, supporting flexible workflows, batching, subnet tricks, and redstone integration.