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Editing v0.34:Metal industry
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− | {{Quality| | + | {{Quality|Exceptional}} |
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+ | The [[metal]] industry is a catch all phrase for both the smelting of raw [[ore]] into metal bar (as well as [[Metal#Alloys|alloys]]) and turning those bars into crafts, furniture, weapons and armor. Some sort of metal industry is pretty much essential in any fortress, as without one your [[military]] will have to fight off invaders with wooden swords and leather armor. Because of metal's high base value, it can be a very [[wealth|profitable]] industry, allowing the creation of valuable [[statue]]s and [[furniture]] for your fort or as trade goods. Specific information on the metals and ores themselves are covered at [[metal]] and [[ore]], respectively, and will not be included on this page. | ||
+ | [[Image:MetalIndustry3.jpg|thumb|500px|Metal Industry Flowchart.]] | ||
+ | {{clear}} | ||
==Ores== | ==Ores== | ||
− | [[Ore]]s are naturally occurring [[stone]]s that leave behind valuable material after being [[mining|mined]], and are your primary source of metal. Although metal bars can be imported via caravans, these come in very limited amounts; you will have to rely on native ores if you wish to build | + | [[Ore]]s are naturally occurring [[stone]]s that leave behind valuable material after being [[mining|mined]], and are your primary source of metal. Although metal bars can be imported via caravans, these come in very limited amounts; you will have to rely on native ores if you wish to build any sort of sizable metal industry. |
− | The [[site finder]] lists two different types of ore occurrence in a region: shallow metal(s), which indicates high [[z-level]] ore(s) in the [[biome]], and deep metal(s), which indicates low z-level ore(s) in the biome. Different biomes can contain different resources; as such, you should scroll through the region with the F keys to see all of the available resources by | + | The presence of useful ores is absolutely essential to a successful fortress. The [[site finder]] lists two different types of ore occurrence in a region: shallow metal(s), which indicates high [[z-level]] ore(s) on in the [[biome]], and deep metal(s), which indicates low z-level ore(s) in the biome. Different biomes can contain different resources; as such, you should scroll through the region with the F keys to see all of the available resources by area. The exact position of your ores can be influenced by local factors; for instance, if you have embarked on a [[mountain]] adjacent to a flat plain, you can expect all of the ores to be located within the mountainside, and concentrate your search there. If you have neither shallow nor deep metals, surviving in the region will be very [[fun]]. Note that because they are easier to access and easier to find, shallow metals are generally preferred. |
− | Different ores tend to occur in different [[stone layers]] and among different rocks; for instance, two of the ores of iron only occur in the [[sedimentary layer]], while the third occurs both there and in the [[igneous extrusive layer]]. The type of surrounding rock is a clue as to the types of ores it contains. Within these rock layers, ores occur in [[vein]]s | + | Different ores tend to occur in different [[stone layers]] and among different rocks; for instance, two of the ores of iron only occur in the [[sedimentary layer]], while the third occurs both there and in the [[igneous extrusive layer]]. The type of surrounding rock is a clue as to the types of ores it contains. Within these rock layers, ores occur in [[vein]]s, sinuous, single z-level groupings of the rock that weave through the [[stone layer]] in no discernible pattern (multi-layer veins are planned for future releases), or in [[cluster]]s, smaller and more circular groupings of typically rare ores (like [[platinum]]). With luck, you might happen upon valuable ores while digging out your initial fortress, but generally finding your resources requires significant [[exploratory mining]] first, digging up a z-level to discover all of the goodies it contains. |
Whenever you strike a new ore on a z-level, the game will [[announcement|announce]] its presence with the message "You have struck <ORE>!", similar to what it does for more mundane stones and for [[gem]]s. Where there is one ore, there is an entire vein or cluster, and this is your cue to mine out the area to explore your new-found resource. | Whenever you strike a new ore on a z-level, the game will [[announcement|announce]] its presence with the message "You have struck <ORE>!", similar to what it does for more mundane stones and for [[gem]]s. Where there is one ore, there is an entire vein or cluster, and this is your cue to mine out the area to explore your new-found resource. | ||
− | By default, ores are reserved for smelting; that is, they are unavailable for use by [[Mason]]s | + | By default, ores are reserved for smelting; that is, they are unavailable for use by [[Mason]]s and [[Stone crafter]]s. If you have a found a significant deposit of ore, however, you may wish to change this behavior in the [[Status#Stone status screen|status menu]] to allow your dwarfs to make ore stone furniture and goods. Because most bars are not worth more then their base ores, this has the significant advantage of producing the same quality furniture or goods out of the rock as making a true metal object at the metalsmith's forge without costing fuel or processing first. [[Noble]]s may occasionally [[mandate]] the construction of ore-based goods. |
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==Fuel== | ==Fuel== | ||
− | The metal industry consists of two parts: the ores from which the metals are made, and the fuel which powers the making. With the exception of [[stud]]ding, all metalworking requires a unit of fuel (or more, if it is part of the reaction itself). There are currently | + | The metal industry consists of two parts: the ores from which the metals are made, and the fuel which powers the making. With the exception of [[stud]]ding, all metalworking requires a unit of fuel (or more, if it is part of the reaction itself). There are currently four types of fuel in Dwarf Fortress. |
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− | + | The simplest is [[ash]], made from wood [[log]]s at a [[Wood Furnace]] by a [[Wood Burner]]. It necessary you produce a couple of bars of ash at the very least, as creating fuel from the other, mineral sources of fuel requires fuel itself. Ash can be used to jump start the process, but if your location is lacking in the other fuel sources, you will have to use ash exclusively (and whatever the caravans can bring in). Using ash as your main fuel source requires a lot of effort, and a heavily forested environment, as you will have to chop down many, many trees and potentially keep multiple burners on repeat to keep your metalworkers supplied, at least until you get down to the forth fuel source. | |
− | The next fuel source is [[coke]], made from two types of depository coal: [[lignite]] and [[bituminous coal]]. When lignite is burned at a furnace, it consumes a unit of fuel while producing | + | The next fuel source is [[coke]], made from two types of depository coal: [[lignite]] and [[bituminous coal]]. When lignite is burned at a furnace, it consumes a unit of fuel while producing two units of coke, thus creating a net profit of one fuel; bituminous coal consumes one and produces three, for a net profit of two fuel (obviously being the better of the two). There is currently no way to know if a location does or does not have these resources, except with DHack (which is technically cheating). |
− | The final fuel source is [[magma]]. [[Channel]]ling a hole to a tile containing at least 4 units of magma will allow you to build magma forges, buildings that uses the heat of the magma instead of an actual fuel to do its work. The challenge is getting there; going down that deep requires passing through the [[caverns]] first, a feat to be concluded only by a fairly mature fortress. Once you hit magma, you will no longer need any other fuel source | + | The final fuel source is [[magma]]. [[Channel]]ling a hole to a tile containing at least 4 units of magma will allow you to build magma forges, buildings that uses the heat of the magma instead of an actual fuel to do its work. The challenge is getting there; going down that deep requires passing through the [[caverns]] first, a feat to be concluded only by a fairly mature fortress. Once you hit magma, you will no longer need any other fuel source. |
− | If you have neither trees nor one of the two coals on hand, getting your industry together will be extremely difficult. You will have to buy up every log and as much | + | If you have neither trees nor one of the two coals on hand, getting your industry together will be extremely difficult. You will have to buy up every log and as much ash as possible, but if you do not have enough trees you will not have enough [[bed]]s either; hurtling towards [[magma]] while avoiding the caverns is possible, although extremely risky. To avoid this problem, try not to embark in a location without wood. |
==Smelting== | ==Smelting== | ||
Ores cannot be made into metal objects raw; first they must be processed into metal [[bar]]s by a [[furnace operator]] at a [[smelter]]. Smelting, like most metalworking, requires a unit of fuel; you can create fuel by making coke from either lignite or bituminous coal, as discussed above. | Ores cannot be made into metal objects raw; first they must be processed into metal [[bar]]s by a [[furnace operator]] at a [[smelter]]. Smelting, like most metalworking, requires a unit of fuel; you can create fuel by making coke from either lignite or bituminous coal, as discussed above. | ||
− | Smelting itself is pretty simple | + | Smelting itself is pretty simple; make sure to have some dwarfs with furnace operating enabled, and be sure to set one or a few of your smelters to continuously smelt lignite or bituminous coal if you have them. Since bars have no quality modifiers, increased furnace operating skill only increases the speed with which the operator works; some ores can produce multiple metals when smelted, or randomly give you one of two. Smelters are very prone to [[clutter]]ing, so having a non-filled bar stockpile and plenty of [[bin]]s is important for efficiency. In addition you should make an ore stockpile nearby, to reduce your furnace operators' walking distance. |
==Alloys== | ==Alloys== | ||
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==Flux stone== | ==Flux stone== | ||
− | Easily the most useful alloy of them all is [[steel]], which requires a complex series of steps to produce, as well as a resource which is not necessary for any of the other alloys: [[flux|flux]]. Flux stones are stones | + | Easily the most useful alloy of them all is [[steel]], which requires a complex series of steps to produce, as well as a resource which is not necessary for any of the other alloys: [[flux|flux]]. Flux stones are carbon-rich stones that are used to temper iron into steel during the smelting process: [[calcite]], [[chalk]], [[dolomite]], [[limestone]], and [[marble]]. Although iron is a good weapons-grade metal, steel is a good deal better, and well worth the investment - if you have the resources. Unlike coal, flux stone appears on the location viewer when you are looking for a site to embark on, and if you want to have a powerful military, a location with flux stones and metals is key. If you have none, it is possible to import it via caravans. Flux stone also have the advantage of being worth more then more mundane stones, and are thus good stonecrafting and masonry material, if you have enough of it. |
==Goblinite== | ==Goblinite== | ||
− | [[Goblinite]] is the humorous name | + | [[Goblinite]] is the humorous name given by players to the metal of enemy [[sieges]] (usually [[goblin]]s, hence the moniker). If enemy combatants are killed, their corpses can give you real gains; when [[reclaim]]ed, their metal arms and armor can be used as is or [[melt|melted down]] into bars (except in the case of elves, which do not use metal equipment). Once an object has been marked, it will sent to a smelter with an active "Melt Object" job. When an object is melted a full bar will never be produced, the amount of metal recovered from an item is consistent and varies from 10%-60%. The incomplete bar is stored in the Smelter and a bar will be produced once the recovered meter reaches 100%. |
The equipment of [[Cage|caged enemies]] can also be taken by mass dumping a caged creature (manually reclaim the caged creature via the {{k|k}} inspect menu to prevent it from being dumped too) and then reclaiming and marking for melting as explained above. | The equipment of [[Cage|caged enemies]] can also be taken by mass dumping a caged creature (manually reclaim the caged creature via the {{k|k}} inspect menu to prevent it from being dumped too) and then reclaiming and marking for melting as explained above. | ||
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Once you have the metal bars or alloys created, you are ready to turn them into your finished products at a [[metalsmith's forge]]. | Once you have the metal bars or alloys created, you are ready to turn them into your finished products at a [[metalsmith's forge]]. | ||
− | Metal bars can be turned into a variety of products for use by your fortress, for the purpose of [[trade|exporting]] [[weight|low-weight]] items such as [[Finished goods#Craft|craft]]s are suggested. Four of the five [[metalsmith]] jobs are | + | Metal bars can be turned into a variety of products for use by your fortress, for the purpose of [[trade|exporting]] [[weight|low-weight]] items such as [[Finished goods#Craft|craft]]s are suggested. Four of the five [[metalsmith]] jobs are perpetrated at this stage: |
* [[Weaponsmith]]s can create [[weapon|weapons]], [[trap]] components, [[bolt|bolts]], and [[ballista arrowhead|ballista arrowheads]] | * [[Weaponsmith]]s can create [[weapon|weapons]], [[trap]] components, [[bolt|bolts]], and [[ballista arrowhead|ballista arrowheads]] | ||
* [[Armorsmith]]s can create [[armor]] | * [[Armorsmith]]s can create [[armor]] | ||
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*[[Blacksmith]]s can create [[anvil]]s, [[block]]s, and all [[furniture]] except chains. | *[[Blacksmith]]s can create [[anvil]]s, [[block]]s, and all [[furniture]] except chains. | ||
− | + | The metalsmith's forge also allows you to [[stud]] objects with your newly-created metal. This will give the object decorations and raise its value while consuming the metal bar - unlike every other process, however, it does not require fuel. | |
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− | The metalsmith's forge also allows you to [[stud]] objects with your newly created metal. This will give the object decorations and raise its value while consuming the metal bar - unlike every other process, however, it does not require fuel | ||
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{{Category|Industry}} | {{Category|Industry}} | ||
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