Sabahl
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Posted - 2004.05.16 18:42:00 -
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This is probably a question better asked in the factories section but here goes...
First off, there are three types of Blueprints. Originals, finite copies and infinite copies. Original blueprints (BPs) are those sold by the market and given out by agent researches and from these you can make an infinite number of that kind of item. Finite copies are created by copying original BPs to make limited run blueprint copies (BPCs), so in other words you have a set number of times that you can manufacture items from that blueprint before it becomes useless. You can not copy finite BPCs to make more BPCs. The third type of blueprint, the Infinite BPC is no longer manufacturable but if you have one it will allow you to make an infinite number of that item. Again, you cannot copy Infinite BPCs.
Every blueprint has a mineral efficiency (ME) level and a production efficiency (PE) level. Original BPs (not BPCs) can be researched to increase their PE and ME. The higher the mineral efficiency the lower the percentage of mienrals which are "wasted" every time you manufacture that item. Generally speaking this is only really an issue if the cost of the minerals to manufacture the item is high. Also, ME benefit decreases exponentially so it is very rare that a blueprint is worth researching over about ME 15 unless you are really stingey with your minerals or it is an ultra high cost item. Even battleships are generally only researched to ME 10 as any higher is really not worth the effort in terms of mineral savings (although many people don't understand this so buy higher ME BPCs at very high prices erroneously thinking they are getting a good deal).
PE reduces the total time of manufacture for an item from a BP. Generally speaking PE is never researched as the time savings are truly pathetically small. Only the larger items have a manufacturing time whcih one would want to reduce but getting the minerals for these items is such a chore that generally one never has a BP in continuous manufacture to make it all worthwhile.
All of the above information is held on the attributes page of a BP. You will see the BP's ME and PE status, the manufacturing time in seconds, the percentage mineral loss (listed as Wastage Factor) and the length of time it will take to research each additional level of ME and PE.
On the Bill of Materials page you will see the skills required to manufacture the item (generally no skills are needed unless it's a Tech 2, research agent supplied BP) as well as the total bill of materials for the manufacture of that item. This bill of materials will, of course, decrease depending upon the ME of the BP or BPC.
One last thing, your production efficiency skill will also decrease the amount of minerals required for the produciton of an item so you may find that the amount of minerals required isn't actually as listed. I believe the BP still lists a "best case scenario", i.e. the materials you will require if you have a Production Efficiency of 5. Production Efficiency is an Industry skill and can be bought from any skill vending corporation.
Hope this helps.
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