Scrap Mechanic Building and Logic Guide: Bearings, Sensors and Controllers
Learn a dependable way to design Scrap Mechanic mechanisms with bearings, controllers, sensors, switches and modular tests.
Treat each moving assembly as a small module: define its input, verify bearing direction and range, test it alone, then connect it to the next logic stage. This prevents one reversed bearing from looking like a whole-system failure.
Design a module, not a mystery
Give every mechanism a clear input, motion and output before combining it with another system.
- Test one bearing first.
- Set conservative controller angles.
- Use visible temporary indicators.
- Document connection order.
Control motion deliberately
Controllers create repeatable bearing sequences, while switches and sensors decide when those sequences run.
- Check clockwise and counter-clockwise direction.
- Leave physical clearance through the full motion.
- Slow the sequence during testing.
- Add a safe resting position.
Scale only after repeatable tests
Duplicate a proven wheel, suspension or logic module instead of rebuilding it from memory.
- Save a working prototype.
- Change one timing value at a time.
- Test under realistic weight.
- Re-check after a game update or mod change.
Scrap Mechanic FAQ
Short answers to the questions covered by this guide.
Why does a controller move a bearing the wrong way?
Inspect the bearing direction with the Connect Tool and reverse the bearing or the programmed rotation for that step.
How should I learn Scrap Mechanic logic?
Build one input-to-output circuit at a time, verify it visually and only then combine it with a larger mechanism.
Practical advice with visible limits.
The official sources establish release status, supported modes and named systems. The recommendations organise those systems into a repeatable method; they do not invent hidden values or promise a permanent meta.