AE2 Mechanics: Interfaces

Interfaces act like a small chest and fluid tank that fills itself from and empties to network storage depending on what you set it to stock. They can move up to 9 stacks per gametick, making them one of the fastest methods of import or export if paired with fast item pipes.

Unlike most tanks that only store one fluid, interfaces can store up to 9 types of fluids as well as items. They essentially act like chests or multi-fluid tanks with additional AE2 functionality. If kept disconnected from networks, they behave as simple storage and can be useful for niche cases where you want to hold small amounts of many different resources.

Internally, an interface functions as a chest/tank combined with:

• ME Import Busses
• ME Export Busses
• ME Level Emitters

This is how it fills and empties itself so quickly.

Interfaces have unique behaviors when paired with other AE2 devices:

• ME Storage Bus
  • Placing a storage bus on an *unconfigured* interface presents the entire network storage of its network to the bus' network, as though the interface was a giant chest.
  • Adding items to the filter slots disables this behavior.

• Pattern Providers and Subnets
  • On subnets, pattern providers will skip *unconfigured* interfaces and push items directly to subnet storage.
  • This avoids recipe batches clogging the interface and prevents new batches from being held back due to limited space.

Interfaces come in two forms:

• Normal Interface
  • Acts like a full block.
  • Can be accessed from all sides.
  • Provides network connection to all sides.

• Flat Interface (sub-part)
  • Placed as a cable part, allowing multiple on the same cable for compact setups.
  • Inventory can only be accessed from the face.
  • Does not provide network connection from its face.

Interfaces can be swapped between normal and flat by crafting.

• The upper slots in the GUI determine what the interface keeps stocked.
• Clicking the wrench icon lets you set desired quantity.
• Right-clicking with a fluid container (bucket, tank, etc.) sets the fluid as a filter.

Interfaces accept the following cards:

• Fuzzy Card — filter by damage/NBT.
• Crafting Card — allows crafting requests if the desired items are not available.

Click the wrench in the top-right of the GUI to adjust priority. Interfaces with higher priority fill before lower-priority ones.

Crafting:

Any Glass works