Scrap Mechanic: How to Program a Controller and Piston Sequence

Connect the controller, piston and trigger

Equip the Connect Tool and connect the Controller to the Pistons or Bearings it will drive, plus a Trigger or Driver’s Seat to activate it. The wiki describes a maximum of ten driven parts and one activation input for a controller; upgraded controller capacity still matters in Survival. Build a small sequence first so the numbered connections are easy to identify. [1]

Component Kit upgrades unlock additional connections and speed settings. Check the controller’s available capacity before trying to attach a large mechanism. [1]

Steps

1. Use the Connect Tool to connect the controller to the motion parts and to a Trigger or Driver’s Seat. [1]

Put the moving structure on the piston head

A piston needs an object on its head before it extends or retracts. When a Controller is connected, the piston’s own configuration GUI is unavailable: perform sequence configuration through the controller. A trigger connected directly to a piston is a simpler alternative when all you need is extension and retraction, but the controller is the documented route for sequenced movement. [2]

The controller connection changes which interface you use. [2]

Steps

1. Place the part to be moved on the piston head before testing the sequence. [2]

Match each row to its connection number

Open the controller and match each row’s connection-order number to the number shown on the connected bearing or piston. Frame 0 is the starting position before activation. Frames 1–10 define the subsequent movement; the controller processes them from left to right when it receives a signal. Set the resting position before programming the active frames. [1]

Frame 0 is separate from the activated part of the sequence. [1]

Steps

1. Set Frame 0 to the required resting position. [1]

Program lengths and angles in the active frames

Drag the frame settings left or right. Bearing settings are angles, while piston settings specify the total extension length. Bearing angles normally change in 15-degree increments; hold Shift for one-degree adjustments. A piston bar adjustment also applies to the bars to its right, so inspect the later frames after changing an earlier piston length. [1]

Fine adjustment is available for bearings. [1]

Piston edits can affect later frames. [1]

Steps

1. Drag the frame values to program the motion, checking the later piston bars after editing an earlier one. [1]

Choose a returning sequence or a repeating loop

With Loop disabled, activation runs to the last frame and removing the signal runs back to the start. With Loop enabled, the controller repeats after the last adjusted frame. Choose the behavior that matches the mechanism before testing its input. The speed setting changes time per frame; piston length and bearing angle do not change that frame duration. [1]

A repeating mechanism uses Loop. [1]

Controller timing follows its speed setting. [1]

Steps

1. Leave Loop off for an input-driven out-and-back mechanism, or enable it to repeat the adjusted sequence. [1]