Arknights Endfield AIC Factory Guide: Automation Tips 2026

Okay, let’s talk about the part of Endfield nobody expected to love. The factory system. The AIC.

I downloaded this game for anime waifus and action combat. Forty hours later I’m watching YouTube tutorials on conveyor belt optimization and debating production ratios with strangers on Reddit. This wasn’t the plan.

But here’s the thing – the AIC isn’t optional side content. It’s your primary resource generator. Ignore it and you’ll hit walls. Embrace it and resources flow while you sleep.

Here’s everything you need to know about building factories that actually work.

What Is the AIC?

AIC stands for Automated Industry Complex. It’s basically Factorio lite built into a gacha game.

Core concept:

1. Harvest raw materials from nodes
2. Process them through machines
3. Output finished products
4. Trade products for Stock Bills
5. Stock Bills fund all progression

This happens automatically. Set it up once, resources generate 24/7 – even when you’re offline.

Why It Matters

Stock Bills are the universal progression currency. You need them for:

• Operator gear crafting
• Trust gifts (operator bonding)
• Shop purchases
• System upgrades
• Regional development

No Stock Bills = no progression. The AIC generates Stock Bills passively. Therefore, AIC = progression.

Simple math.

Getting Started: The Basics

Protocol Anchor Core (PAC)

The PAC is your factory’s heart. Place it down and building options unlock.

PAC functions:

• Enables building placement
• Sets resource routing
• Controls automation settings
• Stores finished goods temporarily

Every factory needs at least one PAC. Larger operations need multiple.

Basic Production Chain

Here’s the fundamental pattern:

Harvester → Conveyor → Processor → Conveyor → Storage

Step by step:

1. Harvester extracts raw materials (ore, plants, etc.)
2. Conveyor belt moves materials to processor
3. Processor converts raw → refined materials
4. Another conveyor moves to storage
5. Protocol Stash stores finished products

Power everything with generators. No power = nothing works.

Your First Factory

Don’t overthink it. Seriously.

Starter setup:

1. Place PAC near resource nodes
2. Build harvester on node
3. Connect conveyor to processor
4. Connect processor to Protocol Stash
5. Add power generator
6. Done

This isn’t optimized. That’s fine. Working factory beats perfect factory that doesn’t exist.

Key Buildings and What They Do

Resource Extraction

Processing

Logistics

Power

Conveyor Belt Optimization

Belts are where optimization happens. Good belt layout = efficient factory.

Golden Rules

Rule 1: Shorter is better Longer belts = slower delivery. Minimize distance between buildings.

Rule 2: Avoid crossing Crossed belts slow everything down. Use Belt Bridges if crossing is unavoidable.

Rule 3: Match throughput If a machine outputs faster than a belt can carry, production stops. Add parallel belts or upgrade belt tier.

Rule 4: Plan before building Random placement leads to spaghetti. Sketch your layout mentally first.

Using Splitters and Convergers

Splitter use cases:

• Distribute materials to multiple processors
• Balance load across parallel production lines
• Route overflow to storage

Converger use cases:

• Combine outputs from multiple processors
• Merge parallel lines before storage
• Consolidate resources for complex recipes

Belt Bridge Magic

Belt Bridges let belts cross without interfering. Use them when:

• Two production lines need to cross
• You’re routing around obstacles
• Your layout is getting messy

Free to use. No downside. Use liberally.

Production Ratios Matter

This is where Factorio players feel at home.

The Basic Math

Every machine has:

• Input rate (materials consumed per second)
• Output rate (products created per second)
• Processing time

Example:

• Machine A outputs 1 item every 2 seconds
• Machine B needs 2 items per batch
• Solution: Run 2x Machine A feeding 1x Machine B

Mismatched ratios = bottlenecks = wasted production.

Identifying Bottlenecks

Signs your factory has problems:

• Items backing up on belts
• Machines sitting idle
• Storage filling unevenly
• Production stopping randomly

Fix process:

1. Find where items accumulate
2. Check if downstream is too slow or upstream is too fast
3. Add machines to balance ratios
4. Verify flow is smooth

Early Game Ratios

Don’t stress about perfect ratios early. Rough estimates work fine:

• 2 harvesters per processor (usually)
• 1 processor per assembler (depends on recipe)
• Excess storage is better than insufficient

Optimize later when you understand the system better.

Stock Bills: The End Goal

Everything leads here. Stock Bills are why your factory exists.

How to Earn Stock Bills

Method 1: Outpost Trading Sell finished products at Outposts. Different Outposts want different items.

• Buck Capsule C → Basic trading item
• Amethyst Components → Crafting materials
• Batteries → Power items
• Explosives → Combat consumables

Method 2: Delivery Jobs Complete specific orders for bonus Stock Bills.

Method 3: Regional Development Progress region development for Regional Stock Bills.

Best Items for Trading

Early game focus:

1. Buck Capsule C – Easy to produce, always in demand
2. Amethyst Components – Dual use (crafting + selling)

These two items should be your initial production targets.

Maximizing Income

Tip 1: Automate high-value items Buck Capsules over raw ore. Processing adds value.

Tip 2: Check Outpost demands Prices fluctuate. Sell when demand is high.

Tip 3: Don’t manual craft Everything your factory produces automatically is resources saved from manual grind.

Tip 4: Scale production More production lines = more output = more Stock Bills.

Early Game Factory Guide (Valley IV)

Specific guidance for your first major factory.

Priority Productions

Tier 1 (Immediately):

• Basic ore processing
• Buck Capsule C production
• Plant harvesting

Tier 2 (After basics work):

• Amethyst Component crafting
• Multiple production lines
• Storage expansion

Tier 3 (Mid-game):

• Complex recipes
• Optimized layouts
• Ferrium processing

Sample Valley IV Layout

Basic setup:

[Mining Drill] → [Belt] → [Smelter] → [Belt] → [Assembler] → [Belt] → [Protocol Stash]
     ↓
[Power Generator]

Expanded setup:

[Mining Drill x2] → [Converger] → [Smelter] → [Splitter] → [Assembler A] → [Converger] → [Protocol Stash]
                                                    ↓
                                              [Assembler B] ────────↑

Common Early Mistakes

Building without power: Obvious but happens constantly. Power first, buildings second.

Ignoring Planting Units: Plants generate materials passively. Free resources. Use them.

Not connecting to Protocol Stash: Items stuck in machines don’t auto-collect. Always route to storage.

Spreading too thin: Focus one production chain before starting another.

Advanced Techniques

Once basics click, here’s how to level up.

Parallel Processing

Multiple production lines for the same item:

[Harvester A] → [Processor A] ─┐
                               ├→ [Converger] → [Storage]
[Harvester B] → [Processor B] ─┘

Doubles output without complex changes.

Cascading Production

Output of one process feeds input of another:

[Ore] → [Smelter] → [Ingots] → [Assembler] → [Components] → [Workbench] → [Final Product]

Multi-stage production for complex items.

Overflow Management

Prevent backup from stopping production:

[Processor] → [Splitter] → [Main Storage]
                    ↓
              [Overflow Storage]

Excess goes to overflow instead of blocking the line.

Blueprint System

Endfield has blueprints for factory layouts.

Using blueprints:

1. Find community blueprints online (EndfieldTools.dev)
2. Enter blueprint code in-game
3. Place entire factory layout at once
4. Modify as needed

Saving your layouts:

1. Build your factory
2. Select “Save Blueprint” option
3. Share code with others

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Community blueprints exist for most production chains.

Expanding Your Factory

Growth is inevitable. Plan for it.

When to Expand

Signs you need expansion:

• Storage constantly full
• Production can’t keep up with consumption
• You’ve unlocked new resources
• Stock Bills aren’t growing

Expansion Strategy

Option A: Scale existing lines Add parallel machines to current production. Safe, predictable.

Option B: Add new production types Different resources, different products. More variety.

Option C: Build new factory zones Separate locations for different products. Cleaner organization.

Core AIC Area Upgrades

Your factory has size limits. Expand them by:

1. Spending Stock Bills
2. Completing regional development
3. Progressing main story

Prioritize area expansion when you run out of building space.

Regional Development Integration

The AIC connects to broader progression systems.

Regional Stock Bills

Different from regular Stock Bills. Earned through:

• Regional exploration
• Outpost supplies
• Delivery jobs
• Development milestones

Spent on:

• Region-specific upgrades
• Special items
• Factory expansions

Development Levels

Higher regional development = better factory options:

• New building types unlock
• Production recipes expand
• Trading options improve
• Area size increases

Push regional development alongside factory building.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Production Stopped”

Check:

1. Power connected?
2. Input materials available?
3. Output storage full?
4. Belt bottleneck somewhere?

Usually one of these four.

“Items Stuck on Belt”

Causes:

• Destination machine is full
• Destination machine is offline
• Belt leads nowhere
• Power outage downstream

Fix: Trace the belt path, find the blockage.

“Not Enough Resources”

Solutions:

• Add more harvesters
• Find new resource nodes
• Optimize extraction efficiency
• Expand to new regions

“Factory Too Messy”

Reality check: Delete and rebuild is free. No penalty.

If your factory is spaghetti, tear it down and start fresh. Lessons learned carry over, materials don’t disappear.

Factory Mindset

Some philosophical points for long-term success.

Automation Over Manual

Every manual action is time wasted. If you’re doing something repeatedly, automate it.

• Manually collecting resources? Build harvesters.
• Manually moving items? Add conveyors.
• Manually crafting? Set up assemblers.

Your time is valuable. Factory time is free.

Iterate, Don’t Perfect

First factory will suck. That’s fine.

Build something. See what breaks. Fix it. Repeat.

Perfectionism kills progress. “Good enough” beats “perfect but unbuilt.”

Offline Production is King

The AIC works while you sleep. This is the entire point.

Set up production before logging off. Wake up to full storage. Profit.

Players who optimize offline production progress faster than players who grind manually online.

Resources and Tools

Community Resources

EndfieldTools.dev – Factory planner, blueprints, calculators

Game8 Guides – Building lists, production recipes

Reddit r/ArknightsEndfield – Community discussion, layout sharing

Useful Blueprints

Search for these common layouts:

• “Valley IV starter factory”
• “Buck Capsule farm”
• “Amethyst Component production”
• “Stock Bill maximizer”

Community has solved most problems already.

Quick Reference

Building Priority Order

1. Power Generator
2. Protocol Stash
3. Harvester/Mining Drill
4. Processor/Smelter
5. Assembler
6. Conveyor network

Best Early Productions

Troubleshooting Checklist

• Power connected to all buildings?
• Belts connected input to output?
• Storage not full?
• Production ratios balanced?
• No belt crossings without bridges?

Final Thoughts

The AIC system is deeper than it has any right to be in a mobile gacha. Hypergryph essentially put a factory builder inside an action RPG and somehow made it work.

You don’t have to love factory optimization. But you do have to engage with it – Stock Bills are that important.

Start simple. One production line. Get it working. Expand when ready.

And yes, you’ll eventually end up watching conveyor belt optimization videos at 2 AM. We all do. It’s part of the experience.

Welcome to the factory life. Your resources are waiting.

More Arknights Endfield guides:

• Beginner Guide: Day One Tips – what to do first, basics explained
• Tier List: Best Operators & Teams – all operators ranked, team compositions

Sources:

• AIC Factory Guide - Game8
• Early Game Factory Layout - Game8
• Factory Blueprints - EndfieldTools.dev
• Stock Bills Guide - OutputLag
• AIC Buildings List - Game8

• Arknights Endfield
• Arknights Endfield Factory
• Arknights Endfield Aic
• Arknights Endfield Automation
• Factory Games
• Arknights Endfield Guide
• Arknight Endfield
• Ark Nights Endfield
• Arknight End Field