In
Satisfactory, efficiency is key. Every step of production—from mining raw resources to assembling complex components—requires careful planning to maximize output and minimize waste. One of the most useful tools for streamlining your factory’s logistics is the
Smart Splitter, a more advanced version of the standard Splitter that allows for precise item sorting.
This guide will walk you through
how to unlock, craft, and effectively use Smart Splitters to optimize your production lines.
How to Unlock Smart Splitters in Satisfactory
Before you can craft Smart Splitters, you’ll need to progress through the
Caterium research tree in the
MAM (Manufacturing & Automation Machine). Here’s how to unlock them step by step:
Find Caterium Ore – Explore the world to locate Caterium nodes (they appear as golden-yellow deposits). Once you collect some, the Caterium research tree will unlock in the MAM.Complete Required Research – You’ll need to unlock the following nodes in order:- Caterium (Basic research)
- Caterium Ingots (Smelting Caterium ore)
- Quickwire (Essential for electronics)
- Caterium Electronics
- AI Limiter (The final prerequisite)
Research Smart Splitters – After unlocking AI Limiters, you’ll need to submit the following materials to the MAM:- 10x AI Limiter
- 50x Reinforced Iron Plate
Once researched, you can craft Smart Splitters at any Craft Bench or Constructor.
Crafting a Smart Splitter
Each Smart Splitter requires:
- 2x Reinforced Iron Plate
- 2x Rotor
- 1x AI Limiter
How to Use Smart Splitters for Efficient Sorting
Smart Splitters are a middle-ground between basic Splitters and Programmable Splitters. While they don’t offer the same level of customization as Programmable Splitters, they allow you to filter specific items to different conveyor outputs, making them ideal for organizing mixed belts.
Smart Splitter Output Options
When you interact with a Smart Splitter, you can assign different rules toeach of its three outputs (left, center, right). The available optionsare:
- Any – Allows all items to pass (functions like a normal Splitter).
- None – Blocks all items from passing through this output.
- Any Undefined – Sends through any items not already assigned to the other outputs.
- Overflow – Diverts items only if the other outputs are full (great for preventing backups).
Practical Uses for Smart Splitters
Sorting Mixed Belts – If you have a single belt carrying multiple resources (e.g., IronPlates, Copper Sheets, and Steel Beams), you can use Smart Splitters to direct each item to its own production line.Overflow Management – Set one output to Overflow to ensure excess materials are redirected instead of clogging your system.Simplified Recycling Systems – Use Any Undefined to catch miscellaneous items and send them to storage or reprocessing.
While Smart Splitters are powerful, chaining multiple together can replicate the functionality of a Programmable Splitter—though using the latter is often more efficient for complex setups.
Optimizing Your Factory with Smart Splitters
To get the most out of Smart Splitters:
✅ Use them in early-game sorting before unlocking Programmable Splitters.
✅ Combine with Mergers to create balanced load distribution.
✅ Label your outputs to avoid confusion in large factories.
By mastering Smart Splitters, you’ll keep your factory running smoothly, reduce bottlenecks, and maintain peak efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Smart Splitters are a must-have tool in Satisfactory for players looking to automate their production linesintelligently. Whether you’re organizing mixed belts or preventingoverflow, they provide a flexible solution for mid-game logistics.
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