Nanobot Build and Repair System

The SKO Nanobot Build and Repair System automatically welds, repairs, grinds, and collects floating objects within its range. It replaces tedious manual work with an automated system that is fully configurable per block through the terminal, and tuned server-wide through a ModSettings.xml configuration file.

Based on the original mod by Dummy08, which has been inactive for some time. This maintained version includes several fixes, improvements, and ongoing updates.

Steam Workshop

Version Description Link
(Maintained) - Nerfed Version Rebalanced build cost and weight — requires more resources to build Subscribe
(Maintained) - Original Resources Version Same functionality and fixes, uses the original build components Subscribe

Both versions are functionally identical. They only differ in the resources required to build the block. You only need one — they cannot be used together in the same world.

Features

  • Auto Weld — repairs and completes projected or damaged blocks within range
  • Auto Grind — grinds enemy, neutral, or color-tagged blocks automatically
  • Auto Collect — picks up floating objects and delivers them to connected inventories
  • Multigrid Projection — welds projected grids using the multigrid-projection plugin
  • Creative Mode — welds and builds blocks without requiring components in inventory
  • Priority Lists — configure which block types to weld or grind first, with Enable All / Disable All buttons
  • Ignore Priority Order — optionally bypass the priority list and target the nearest block instead
  • Inventory Sources — pulls components from Cargo, Connectors, Sorters, Grinders, Cryo Chambers, and Refineries; pushes excess items back to the same block types
  • Weld Mode — choose how far blocks are welded: Weld to Full (100%), Weld to Functional Only (stops at functional threshold), or Weld to Skeleton (places projected blocks only, never repairs)
  • Work Modes — choose between Weld Before Grind, Grind Before Weld, Grind If Stuck, Weld Only, or Grind Only; in Weld Before Grind and Grind Before Weld modes, if no actionable targets exist for the primary mode the system now falls through to the secondary mode instead of going idle
  • Cluster Scan Coordinator — blocks sharing the same working area elect a single coordinator to scan for targets, eliminating redundant scans across the cluster; the role is automatically re-elected if the coordinator is disabled or removed
  • System Limit — limit how many Build and Repair blocks may work on the same grid simultaneously
  • Safe Zone Support — respects Safe Zone rules before taking any action
  • Shields Support — skips targets protected by the Shields mod
  • DLC Aware — skips projected blocks requiring DLC the owner does not have
  • Plugin Aware — skips grids protected by server plugins (e.g. !protect from ALE PCU Transferrer)
  • Debug Mode — config option that shows extra diagnostic information (scan timings, target counts, internal state) in the terminal custom info panel for testing and debugging
  • Sim-Speed Adaptive — automatically throttles operations when server sim speed drops, helping the server recover without manual intervention
  • Sound & Effects — ticking sound and flying nanobot particle effects toggleable per block and server-wide
  • Reset All Settings — restores all per-block settings to their defaults from the terminal
  • Script Support — exposes a scripting interface for Programmable Block integration
  • Live Configuration — server admins can view and change most settings at runtime via /nanobars config chat commands without restarting
  • Built-in Profiler — admin-only chat commands to measure the mod’s performance impact on the server

Fixes & Adjustments

Safe Zone & Grinding

Grinding blocks or grids protected by Safe Zones is now properly restricted:

  • Grinding inside a Safe Zone is only allowed if the Allow Grinding option is enabled on the Safe Zone block.
  • If the grid inside the Safe Zone is owned by another player or NPC, grinding is blocked even if Allow Grinding is enabled.
  • If the grid is owned by you, grinding is allowed when the Safe Zone permits it.

Defence Shields & Grinding

Full support for the Defence Shields mod:

  • Grids protected by an active shield cannot be ground down by other players.
  • If your own shields are active, you cannot grind grids outside your shield. This prevents abusing shields to safely grind NPC, faction, or player grids. Disable your shields first to grind external targets.

Other Fixes & Changes

  • Reputation is now correctly reduced when grinding NPCs and other factions.
  • Welding and grinding speed increased slightly over the original mod.
  • Power consumption increased from the original mod’s very low values to more balanced levels.
  • Build resources increased to make the block appropriately expensive to obtain.
  • Grids in preview mode are skipped until fully placed.
  • Indestructible and immune grids are correctly excluded from grinding.
  • Components can be pulled from Cargo Containers, Connectors, Sorters, Grinders, Cryo Chambers, and Refineries.
  • Power is no longer drained when welding a projected block is not possible.
  • Block settings now persist correctly after a server restart or relog.
  • DLC ownership is checked before attempting to build a projected block.
  • Multiplayer network updates reduced for better performance in large sessions.

Power Consumption

Applies to the (Maintained) - Nerfed Version. The Original Resources Version uses the original mod values.

State Power
Off 0 kW
Idle (Standby) 50 kW
Transport 100 kW
Welding / Grinding 200 kW

Build Requirements

Applies to the (Maintained) - Nerfed Version only. See the Original Resources Version for the original build components.

Large Grid

Component Amount
Steel Plate 400
Construction Component 1320
Interior Plate 250
Small Steel Tube 600
Large Steel Tube 100
Computer 200
Motor 400
Superconductor 120

Small Grid

Component Amount
Steel Plate 150
Construction Component 500
Interior Plate 80
Small Steel Tube 200
Large Steel Tube 20
Computer 100
Motor 120
Superconductor 40

Documentation

  • Configuration File — all ModSettings.xml settings with defaults and descriptions
  • Companion Script — automatic assembler queuing and multi-display status output
  • Scripting API — terminal properties available to Programmable Block scripts
  • FAQ — common questions and troubleshooting steps
  • Release Notes — full version history

Support

Table of contents

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