Introduction
Factorio isn’t just a game—it’s a factory-building obsession. If you're knee-deep into mid game and your base looks more like spaghetti than a plan, it's time to level up. This guide covers how to master the electric furnace maker blueprint and scale your red science production like a pro. Let’s turn your factory into a smooth-running machine!
🔌 Understanding the Electric Furnace
What is an Electric Furnace?
The Electric Furnace is a mid-game smelting building in Factorio. Unlike stone or steel furnaces, it runs purely on electricity and supports productivity modules—a game changer.
Advantages Over Stone and Steel Furnaces
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No need for fuel like coal or solid fuel
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Supports modules for speed and efficiency
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Cleaner—less pollution when combined with clean energy
When to Transition to Electric Furnaces
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When you’ve researched Advanced Electronics
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If your power grid is stable and scalable
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When pollution becomes an issue with burner furnaces
📐 Electric Furnace Blueprint Basics
Key Components of a Furnace Setup
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Input belts for ore
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Output belts for plates
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Inserters (fast inserters recommended)
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Substations or small electric poles
Ideal Belt Layout
Use dual-sided belts to supply iron and copper ore efficiently. The goal? Constant furnace activity with zero downtime.
Power Supply Management
Furnaces use 180 kW of power each. Multiply that by dozens (or hundreds), and you’ll need serious electricity. Go solar, go big, or go home.
🏭 Efficient Electric Furnace Maker Design
Blueprint Overview
A basic Electric Furnace Maker Blueprint includes:
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Rows of 12–24 electric furnaces
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Underground belts for compact design
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Beacons for boosting production
Throughput Optimization
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Use blue belts if possible
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Maintain full compression on output lines
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Splitter priorities can help balance loads
Modular Design for Expansion
Create blueprints in chunks (e.g., 12-furnace modules). This way, you can easily scale horizontally without redesigning.
⚙️ Tips for Creating the Perfect Electric Furnace Blueprint
Balancing Input and Output
Always ensure:
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Input belts are fully compressed
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You have double output lanes for high productivity
Using Beacons and Modules
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Use Speed Beacons with Productivity Modules inside furnaces
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Optimal beacon layout = 8 beacons per 4 furnaces
Managing Pollution Efficiently
Switch to solar power and plant trees around smelters. Lower pollution = fewer biters = less stress.
🕹️ Mid Game Progression in Factorio
What Defines Mid Game?
Mid game begins around:
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Oil processing
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Electric furnaces
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Red and green science automation
Key Goals in the Mid Game Phase
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Automate red and green science
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Expand into train logistics
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Optimize production lines
🔬 Red Science Mid Game Production
Scaling Up from Early Game Red Science
Early red science (automation science) uses:
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Gear wheels
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Copper plates
Mid game means mass production:
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Dedicated gear assemblers
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Fast belts
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Buffering chests
Efficient Red Science Setup Using Assemblers
Use level 2 assemblers to handle:
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Gear wheel crafting
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Direct insertion into red science assemblers
Automation & Buffer Chests
Use smart inserters and buffer chests to prevent overflow or underflow of materials.
📏 Optimized Layout for Red Science
Balanced Material Flow
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One line for gear wheels
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One line for copper plates
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Direct insertion = faster production
Inserter and Belt Speed Considerations
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Use fast inserters for gear inputs
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Blue belts if gear wheel production is very high
🔄 Combining Furnace Production with Red Science
Parallel Production Strategy
Set up parallel lines:
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One for electric furnace production
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One for red science
Then combine resources at a centralized hub.
Shared Resources and Logistics
Use logistics bots or smart inserters to share:
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Iron plates
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Copper plates
Between both production lines.
⚡ Advanced Power and Logistic Tips
Using Solar Power or Nuclear for Furnace Setups
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Solar is great for low-pollution zones
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Nuclear = consistent energy 24/7
Smart Logistics and Roboports
Deploy logistic robots to deliver circuits, gear wheels, or modules. Use roboports to expand logistics coverage.
🚂 Train-Based Material Transport
Setting Up Train Stations for Input/Output
Design:
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Unloading stations near furnaces
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Loading stations for plate output
Use stack inserters for rapid throughput.
Blueprint Integration with Rail System
Add train stops in your blueprints for plug-and-play setups anywhere on your map.
🛠️ Troubleshooting and Optimizing
Common Mistakes with Furnace Blueprints
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Not enough inserters = backup
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No power redundancy = sudden shutdowns
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Output jam = no more smelting
How to Fix Bottlenecks in Red Science
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Add more gear assemblers
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Upgrade belts to blue
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Use productivity modules in science pack assemblers
🔗 Blueprint String and Sharing
How to Export Your Blueprint
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Click on blueprint in inventory
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Hit “Export to string”
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Save it or share it online
Best Community Blueprint Libraries
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Factorio Discord and Blueprint Exchange
🏁 Conclusion
Mastering electric furnaces and scaling your red science in Factorio’s mid game is no small feat. But with smart blueprints, balanced logistics, and a modular mindset, your factory can hum like a well-oiled machine. Whether you’re crushing ores or cranking out science packs, the mid game is your launchpad to megabase greatness.
❓FAQs
1. How many electric furnaces should I start with?
Start with at least 24, and expand in multiples of 12 for balanced modular scaling.
2. Can red science be automated fully by mid game?
Absolutely! Just ensure you have enough copper, gear production, and a smart layout.
3. What’s the best module combo for electric furnaces?
Productivity Modules inside, Speed Beacons outside. It’s a classic setup for high output.
4. Is solar power enough for large-scale furnace setups?
Yes, if you overbuild solar panels and use accumulators for nighttime.
5. How do I expand my red science setup without breaking existing lines?
Use modular blueprints and plan for logistic bot delivery or train-fed inputs to new sections.
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