Research and Development
Research and Development
Research and Development
Research and Development (commonly called R&D or RnD) is the job of the scientists. The department typically lies behind purple and grey doors. In the department typically exists a set of Lathe and R&D machines. Often you will see lockers with lab equipment in them.
Equipment
Point Generator
The R&D Point Generator produces 100 points per second when powered. Points can then be spent at a R&D Computer. The Point Generator is typically situated in a location that only the Research Director has access to.
R&D Computer
In the R&D computer new technologies can be unlocked via points. To research a technology, click on it if it's in the Unlockable technologies column. Technologies in the Future technologies are locked behind others, requiring you to research a previous technology (in the Unlockable technologies column). Technologies in the Unlocked technologies section have already been researched.
Autolathe
The Autolathe doesn't require any research but only makes engineering and botanical tools as well as low-voltage cables. Requires plastic, steel and glass to use.
Protolathe
The Protolathe is a machine capable of printing most of what you've researched. It can make things such from beakers or ammo. Requires steel, glass and sometimes plastic to use.
Circuit Imprinter
The Circuit Imprinter is a machine capable of printing machine boards used for creating machines and computers. They require steel, glass and sometimes gold.
R&D Server
Floppy Disks can be inserted into the R&D server to boost the amount of current points are available to spend.
Oracle
The Oracle is a statue that certain people can hear speak. It'll shout that it wants a certain random object. This object can either be crafted, built by a Lathe machine, requested for or stolen. When the requested object is obtained, put it in your active hand and click the Oracle. The Oracle will then spit out a floppy disk which can be inserted into a R&D Server by a Research Director.
Plan of action
Your main priority at the start of the round is to use the RD computer to research medical machinary & basic parts manufacture , and then everything else. Then it's recommended that you build cloning pods for medbay , chemical dispensers and ChemMasters for chemistry or just hoard them and hand out tricord foam bombs to clowns.
Troubleshooting
"I can't get any points/I can't print anything"
The likely cause is that the RD Computer/RD Point Generator/Protolathe isn't synced up with the RD server. Or the R&D server or Point Generator was blown up.
To fix this in the RD Computer/Protolathe click Server list, click on ID x || RDSERVER and then exit the window. Now when you click Sync it should (hopefully) work.