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[[File:SingularityEngine.png|thumb|right|350px|The Engine Area]]
{{JobEngineering}}
= How To Set Up The Singularity =
==The Gravitational Singularity==
Located at the southern end of engineering in Space is the Singularity Engine. A radiation pulsing, self contained, miniature black hole that is your job to activate and maintain.
Of the most feared anomalies in this universe, the Gravitational Singularity is the most terrifying. When at its full potential, it will consume all matter, abiotic and organic. However, it has been discovered that the radiation produced from these singularities can be harvested and converted in power via plasma. This has spawned the invention of the '''Singularity Engine'''.


It's really not that hard to set up the singularity properly and keep it maintained. This guide will assume that you're doing it alone, either because you're the only engineer that signed up, or because everyone else decided they had better things to be doing. First off, you'll need to know what to bring to the singularity room with you, which you can aquire handily from around Engineering.
This Guide serves as a how-to for setting up your very own Singularity engine. It includes the step-by-step construction process, what to order, what equipment to wear, and pointers on how to prevent it from consuming your station!


== Required Items ==
===The Stages===
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
The singularity comes in levels, growing with the more energy it collects. It collects energy with the Particle Accelorator, which sends waves of energy into the singularity. After reaching a specific amount of energy, it will grow in size up until stage 5, which needs to consume a [[Supermatter Engine|Supermatter Crystal]] to progress to stage 6. With higher levels comes more power, but that means more pull and more radiation. If it progresses to stage 4, it is not unlikely that it could pull up the catwalk of wiring which is powering containment.
'''You will need the following items:'''
{|
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
|-
* [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png]] 6x Gas/Plasma Tank. These are located in the [[File:Tank_Storage_Unit.png]] Tank Storage Unit by "Dispensing" Plasma.
* [[File:RIG.png]] engineering hardsuit
* [[File:Mashoe.png]] magboots
* [[File:EmergencyOxygenTank.png]] oxygen tank
* [[File:BreathMask.png]] breath mask
* [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench
* [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver
* [[File:CableCoils.png]] cable coil
</div></div>
 
Now that you have your supplies, it's time to get to work!
 
''Note: Each of the following "Setting Up" sections can be performed individually or with additional team members. Order of operation does not matter as long as "Finishing Up" is done last.
 
== [[File:SMES.png]] Setting Up the SMES ==
There are 4 of these are located in the Engineering bay.
# Make sure the three on the right are initially set to "Charging: Off" (for Input) and "Online" (for Output). '''Turn the output for the leftmost up to 150,000 and leave the input off as well. Turning off output could result in field failure or emitters failing to fire'''.
# <span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: if you leave the right SMES on 'charging', the power in the left SMES will drain into the right SMES, meaning there will be no power for the emitters, and thus the emitters will shut off unexpectedly.</span>
 
== [[File:Collector_array_on.png]] Setting up the Radiation Collector Arrays ==
There are 6 Radiation Collector Arrays on either side of the Particle Accelerator.
# Fill 6 x [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png]] with plasma using a [[File:Plasma_canister.png|32px]]
# Insert 1 x [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png]] gas tank into each Collector for a total of 6.
# Click on each [[File:Collector array filled.png]] collector with an empty hand to make them [[File:Collector_array_on.png]], which turns them "On".
#* (Optional) See [[Singularity_Engine#Radiation_Collector_Array_Optimization| Radiation Collector Array Optimization]] for additional information.
 
== Setting Up the Particle Accelerator (Engine)==
<span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Do not bump into the accelerator before it is secured with a wrench. If you knock a piece out of place, right-click > "Pull" it back and right-click > "Rotate" to put it back in its place.'''</span>
 
# Equip a [[File:Wrench.png]] wrench and click on each of the 6 sections of the engine, including the [[File:Control box.png]] control box. You will see "You secure the external bolts" 7 times. Make sure the arrow on the control box is pointing down. This is often a pitfall of new engineers. Rotate it until it is.
# Equip [[File:CableCoils.png]] wires and click on each of the 6 sections of the engine, including the control box. You will see "You add some wires" 7 times.
# Equip a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver  and click on each of the 6 sections of the engine, including the control box. You will see "You close the access panel" 7 times.
# Click on the control box to open it's menu, then click on "Run Scan".
#* If you continue to see "Unable to detect parts", you missed something in steps 1-3.
#* If you see "All parts in place", you may continue this instruction.
#* (Optional) See [[Singularity_Engine#Particle_Accelerator_Optimization|Particle Accelerator Optimization]] for additional information.
 
<span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Do not click "Toggle Power" yet!'''</span>
 
== Setting up the Singularity ==
# Nag the [[Chief Engineer|Chief]] to choose the Singularity using the [[File:enginepicker.gif]] Bluespace Engine Delivery Device. If there isn't a Chief Engineer, beg the [[AI|local doorknob]] to let you into the office so that you can do it yourself. If you want to run a Tesla engine instead, look at the [[Tesla Engine|Guide to the Tesla Engine]].
# Make sure your [[File:EmergencyOxygenTank.png]] Oxygen tank and [[File:BreathMask.png]] Breath mask are equipped and your Oxygen tank is "Open" or highlighted "On" in your HUD.
# Use one of the two southern [[File:Airlock_external.png]] External Airlock exits to go outside the station.
#* (Optional) Enable your [[File:Mashoe.png]] magboots' mag-pulse traction system so you don't accidentally slip into space or into something dangerous.
# Click on each of the 4 [[File:Emitter.png]] Emitters to turn them on.
#* <span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Do not stand in front of active emitters!'''</span>
# Walk around the ''outside'' of the inner circle and click on each of the 8 [[File:Field_generator.png]] Field Generators, being careful to time your movement while passing in front of online [[File:Emitter.png]] Emitters.
#* Slowly, you will see a [[File:Containment_field.gif]] containment field surrounding the inner circle connected by the Field Generators.
#* <span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Do not walk into the containment field!'''</span>
# When the containment field has surrounded the entire inner circle, head back inside to the Particle Accelerator room.
 
 
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:99%">
'''Having trouble getting the emitters to fire? Follow these steps:'''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
# Use your [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the [[file:emitter.png]] emitter
# Then use your [[File:crowbar.png]] crowbar
# Return all of the components (there should be one [[file:circuitboard.png]] circuit board (Emitter); one [[file:micro-laser.png]] micro-laser, and one [[file:Micro Manipulator.png]] micro-manipulator) to the [[file:Wired_Frame.png]] machine frame
# Use your [[file:screwdriver_tool.png]] screwdriver on the [[file:Circuit_Frame.png]] machine frame
# Rotate the [[file:emitter.png]] emitter to face the [[File:field_generator.png]] field generator
# Use your [[file:wrench.png]] wrench to bolt it down, and then use your [[file:welder.png]] to weld it into place
 
It should now begin to fire when activated again. If that doesn't work, check that there is power being sent to the emitters from the leftmost [[file:SMES.png|32px]] SMES unit.
</div></div>
 
== Finishing Up ==
# Open the [[File:Control box.png]] control box menu.
# Make sure your [[File:MGlasses.png|link=Clothes_and_Internals#Eyewear]] Meson Scanners are equipped to prevent blindness and your [[File:RIG.png]] RIG suit is equipped to prevent radiation poisoning.
#* (Optional) Enable your [[File:Mashoe.png]] magboots' mag-pulse traction system so the singularity does not prevent you from walking away from the window.
# Click "Toggle Power" to turn the power on.
# Set Particle Strength = 2.
# Walk down and look out the window. You will see a stream of purple particles shoot out from the Particle Accelerator, and after a few seconds, a small [[File:Singulo 1.gif|32px]] Singularity will appear.
# The singularity will begin to grow. On the 2nd growth it gets larger again, remaining blue.
# Go back to the [[File:Control box.png]] control box and click the minus to turn the power to 0. The result should be a large, pink, 5x5 singularity (see below).
#* ''Note: The singularity will fluctuate between 3x3 and 5x5 with power set to 0. It is safe to leave the accelerator on at power 0.''
<span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Leaving the singularity at Particle Strength 1 or 2 will cause the singularity to release. As soon as you increase the power it is your responsibility to turn it down again.'''</span>
 
{|style="background:transparent; color:black" border="0" height="230" align="center" valign="bottom" cellpadding=10px cellspacing=0px
|+style="background:transparent; color:black"|
|-align="center"
|
|[[File:Singulo 1.gif|32px]]
|[[File:Singulo 1.gif|32px]]
|
|[[File:Singulo 3.gif|96px]]
|[[File:Singulo 3.gif|96px]]
|
|[[File:Singulo 5.gif|160px]]
|[[File:Singulo 5.gif|160px]]
|
|-
|'''Singularity 1x1 (Stage 1)''' <br> Too small - Turn the PA to 2
|'''Singularity 3x3 (Stage 2)''' <br> Poor size - continue waiting
|'''Singularity 5x5 (Stage 3)''' <br> ''Perfect size - Stop here''
|-
|[[File:Singulo 7.gif|224px]]
|[[File:Singulo 7.gif|224px]]
|
|[[File:Singulo 9.gif|224px]]
|[[File:Singulo 9.gif|224px]]
|
|[[File:Singulo_11.gif|224px]]
|[[File:Singulo_11.gif|224px]]
|
|-
|-align="center" valign="top"
|'''Singularity 7x7 (Stage 4)''' <br> ''Too large - '''Turn off''' PA temporarily''
|width="25"|
|'''Singularity 9x9 (Stage 5)''' <br> ''Too late - Call the shuttle''
|width="120"|'''Singularity 1x1 (Stage 1)'''
|'''Singularity 11x11 (Stage 6 - Supermatter Charged)''' <br> ''Captain, we have an uh-oh''
''Too small - Turn the PA to 2 until 5x5 obtained
|width="25"|
|width="100"|'''Singularity 3x3 (Stage 2)'''
''Poor size - Safer, but 5x5 provides more power
|width="25"|
|width="100"|'''Singularity 5x5 (Stage 3)'''
''Perfect size - Stop here''
|width="25"|
|width="100"|'''Singularity 7x7 (Stage 4)'''
''Too large - Turn off the PA temporarily''
|width="25"|
|width="100";;|'''Singularity 9x9 (Stage 5)'''
''Too late - Call the emergency shuttle''
|width="25"|
|width="100";;|'''Singularity 11x11 (Stage 6, Supermatter Charged Gravitational Singularity)'''
''Captain, we have an uh-oh''
|width="25"|
|}
|}


== [[File:SMES.png]] Return to the SMESs ==
# Return to the leftmost engineering SMES and turn its input to charging. Do this for the rightmost SMESes as well. Do not have any SMESes begin charging until the singularity is outputting power.
# Check that the SMESs' "Stored Capacity" % is increasing and that "Input: Charging".
# If the "Output Load" equals the "Output Level", it means that power is getting bottle-necked by that SMES. Click the far-right "+" to increase the Output Level until the Output Load stops increasing, then click the "+" a few more times to give the Output Load some breathing room.
# Immediately set the Input Level higher than the Output Level you end up with in the above step.
#* The higher the Input Level, the faster the SMES's Stored Capacity will charge and be later useful for engine malfunctions.
# Ensure that the engine [[File:APC.png]] APC is charging (the one located in the same room, currently Northeast of the engine beside the lone SMES).


== Continued Upkeep ==
===Singularity Safety===
* Every 15-ish minutes:
In order to be safe around the new lord, meson goggles must be worn at all times, anti-radiation clothing must be worn, and having any robotic organs won't be fun. If the mesons are skipped, it can stun you, if you skip the radiation clothes you will soon turn bald (and start to die of radiation poisoning), any robotic organs will be subjected to [[EMP effects|EMPs]] and soon shut down, and if you're an IPC, good luck. Magboots, while not essential, can also be helpful if going into the containment room is necessary after the engine is turned on.
** Make sure the singularity's size hasn't increased or decreased:
 
*** If the singularity's size is decreased, set the [[File:Control box.png]] control box's Particle Strength = 2 and watch it until it grows to a normal size. Keep it on Particle Strength = 2 for a few more seconds (but not too long) to ensure its size is sustained. Remember to turn off the Particle Accelerator using the "Toggle Power" button when you're finished.
==Containment==
*** If the singularity's size is increased, immediately click "Toggle Power" on the control box to turn the engine OFF.
* Every 60-ish minutes:
** Refill the [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png]] Gas Tanks:
**# Remove them from the [[File:Collector_array_on.png]] Radiation Collector Arrays with a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar.
**# Click on a [[File:Plasma_canister.png]] plasma canister to place the gas tank inside the canister.
**# Click on the canister to open the menu, and then click on the far-right "+" to increase the Release Pressure to its maximum.
**# Set the Release Valve to "Open" until the "Tank Pressure" shows the same number set in the step above.
**#* <span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: Make sure you remember to set the Release Valve to "Close" when you're done, otherwise the canister will leak toxins.'''</span>
**# Click "Remove Tank" and pick it back up, placing it back inside the Radiation Collector Array.
**# Repeat the above steps for each Gas Tank.


''Note: Sometimes the singularity will cause EMP pulses if something is close to it and exposed to its radiation. These pulses can cause weapons to misfire and even disable the emitters. Keep an eye on it.''
For the safest setup, a Singularity engine requires three layers of containment to ensure that the singularity stays safely within a confined space. On the innermost layer, a '''required''' 9x9 energy containment field will keep the Singularity from eating the setup. On the middle layer is a large solid container constructed out of reinforced walls to keep out intruders/meteors as well as house all the equipment needed to run the engine. The outermost layer (optional) is a soft barrier constructed out of lattices and grilles to sop up meteors.


= Optimization =
===Energy Field===


* Locking Access
An energy field is the only thing a singularity '''cannot''' travel through. If this fails, the singularity will breach containment. In other words, don't fuck up this step. You will need:
*# You can lock access to the [[File:Collector_array_on.png]] Radiation Collector Arrays and [[File:Emitter.png]] Emitters. This will stop an AI or anyone without management access from messing with them.
* A minimum of '''4''' field generators [[File:Field generator.png|64px]]
*# Click on your [[File:Id regular.png]] ID Card to put it in your hand, then click on ''each'' Radiation Collector Array or Emitter to lock them.
* A powerful energy source [[File:CableCoils.png|64px]]
*# Use a [[File:Screwdriver_tool.png]] Screwdriver on the [[File:Control box.png]] control box to prevent immediate access to the control box's menu (unless the person has a screwdriver to fix it).
* A minimum of '''4''' Emitters [[File:Emitter.png|64px]]
*# Close access to the Radiation Collector Arrays and the Particle Accelerator engine by clicking on the [[File:Door control.png]] Shutter Control buttons located on the wall on either side of the engine.
* A 9x9 area


== [[File:Collector_array_on.png]] Radiation Collector Array Optimization ==
All of this equipment can be acquired from either R&D or Cargo. From Cargo, this is 2 emitter crates and 2 field generator crates, the energy source can be a PACMAN generator, or it could be connected to a Solar Array.


''Note: Read the [[Singularity_Engine#Continued_Upkeep|Continued Upkeep]] section above to learn how to fill [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png]] Gas Tanks, which will increase power output exponentially. This enables you to set the Input Level of each SMES to their maximum - 200,000.''
Begin by placing plating down in an open space, this is where your Singularity generator will go. Follow this by building four tiles of lattice out in each direction. Place lattice to make a box out of each of these. Make plating on each corner. Place a field generator on each of the external plating. Make sure that they are properly secured by wrenching and welding them to the plating. Once secured, place 2 tiles of lattice out in any direction from the corner field generators and add plating on the ends. This is where the emitters will go after wiring.
[[File:EngineContainmentWiring.png|Layout and Wiring|right|thumb]]
Before attaching the emitters, you will need to build a perimeter out of either catwalks or plating so that you can lay cable all the way around. Make nodes (cable endpoints or dots) in each of the places for the emitters. Ensure that the emitters are facing the field generators and secure them in the same way which the field generators were secured. You will turn them on later once everything is set up.
[[File:EngineMachinePlacement.png|Maching Placement|right|thumb]]


== Particle Accelerator Optimization ==
===Hard Containment===
[[File:EngineOuterContainment.png|Hard Containment and Control Room|right|thumb]]
Whenever making an engine that is susceptible to being tampered with or fragile to high-speed space rocks you will likely need a barrier from space. Build walls or reinforced walls around your current constructions. You can build your wires around the interior perimeter of this containment too. Ensure that there is an airlock leading in and out that is accessible only by engineering.


=== Upgrade the APC Power Cell ===
===Soft Barriers===
# Locate the [[File:APC.png]] APC on the wall beside the lone SMES unit, in the same room as the Particle Accelerator.
Along the outer walls, build 2x8 sections of grilles to absorb the impact of the damage caused by meteors and further impede the incursion of intruders into the engine area. Alternatively, station shields could be deployed around hard containment if that is the station goal for that shift or CentCom is generous enough to accept a request for some.
# Unlock it with your [[File:Id regular.png]] ID Card.
#* Click on your ID Card to put it in your hand, then click on the APC.
# Set "Equipment" to "On", not "Auto".
#* This is to ensure that vital engineering equipment will be the last to fail should the APC's power cell run low. You can also turn off the lights to save power, although this is not really recommended as it makes it harder to see trespassers in engineering.
# Use a [[File:Crowbar.png]] crowbar on the APC to open it.
# Click on the [[File:Power cell.png]] Power Cell to remove it.
# Find another Power Cell laying around and replace the Power Cell you just removed.
# Close the panel with the crowbar.
# Check the APC menu to make sure it is on and working.
# Lock the APC with your ID card.


= Additional modifications =
==Particle Accelerator==
[[File:ParticleAccelerator.png|thumb|right]]
Next, you will need to order a [[Supply Crates#Particle Accelerator|Particle Accelerator (PA) kit]] from cargo. Don't open it until you have it where you want to install it. The Particle Accelerator is T-shaped and it fires in the direction of flat side of the T. Each piece will need to be properly oriented, wrenched down, wired with cable coil, and screwed closed. It has 3 main power levels, each sending a different amount of energy into the engine, which can increase the size, sustain the current size, or let it shrink. It could also be hacked, allowing for a higher power output, though it is not recommended for this engine.


It is possible to wire the APCs directly to the main power ring. A good spot to do this is to the port end of engineering, near the bolted airlock. Lift the floor tiles and run a wire from there out into the maintenance tunnel and link it to the wire running through there. This allows you to charge APCs directly if somebody disables the SMES in engineering.  
==Power Generation==
The singularity engine works by generating radiation, which the radiation collectors will soak up and convert into energy. As long as there is at least one collector, it will produce energy, thuogh having more is better if power generation is important in this engine instead of fun.


Another interesting point is that the APC in engineering will not charge from its own SMES unless this modification is made. Meaning that when the collectors are turned off, containment fails pretty quickly. With this quick modification, this gives you time to notice and fix the problem.
===Radiation Collectors===
These can be ordered from cargo, coming with 3 collecters per crate. Place radiation collectors [[File:Collector array filled.png|32px]] near or on the perimiter of catwalk or plating which was made before, on plating with a node. Secure them with a wrench and fill with plasma tanks [[File:Handheld-Plasmatank.png|32px]] before turning them on.  


If you added the maximum amount of plasma to the collectors, this modification can generate ~6,000kW of power for the station. Enough to charge the 3 Engineering SMES and the 4 Solar SMES at 200kW input. Therefore, run a tiny bit of wire from the maintenance tunnels to each solar SMES, and set each of them to an input/output of 90,000/3,000. This will ensure massive amounts of power reserves (enough to last hours with the engine off).
===SMES===
You will needs at least two [[SMES]] units to manage the power your engine and to power your engine. See [[Guide to Advanced Construction|here]] for a guide on construction. Both SMES should be hooked directly into the engine wire network (which is separate from the station). However the output of one SMES (SMES 1) will feed directly back into the engine wire network and the other SMES (SMES 2) will output into the target network, whether it is the station power net or a Bluespace Harvester line.


For those overzealous engineers worshipping Lord Singuloth who want to maintain a Stage 4 singularity, rejoice for it is possible and totally safe if done correctly! What's the secret to keep a Stage 4 singulo within the field? <b>Turn off the Particle Accelerator after the singularity reaches the blue 4th stage, size 7x7. Turn it off. COMPLETELY. Not power 1, not power 0, but PA set to off.</b> That's it, the rest of the setup is identical to the normal Stage 3 singulo.
Before starting the engine, SMES 1 will need to have its output set to max and SMES 2 will need to have its Input and Output set to 0.
Check back every few minutes to see if it dropped in energy and add more if it drops to stage 3. Congratulations, you are better than most just by knowing this. Enough loose singularities because of the CE wanting to try something new.


<span style="color:#ff0000">'''Caution: It is your responsibility to make sure your experiments are safe, Don't experiment with the singularity if you're new to using it.'''</span>
==Turning on the engine==
Before doing anything else, ensure that everybody is following the correct safety measures


= Turning off the Engine =
Once everything has been constructed fill SMES 1 with at least 50k watts before attempting to turn the engine on (containment may fail otherwise). This can be done by using a P.A.C.M.A.N generator on the engine network for a bit of time, or using a Solar Array network to collect power. Once SMES 1 has reached at least 50k watts stored, set its charge to off and set its output to max. Go to each emitter and turn them on, you will also need to turn on each field generator until a blue containment field [[File:Containment field.gif|32px]] completely encompasses inner containment.
Occasionally, bad stuff happens. Well, most of the time, bad stuff happens. Sometimes it is necessary to deactivate the engine as safely as possible because nobody can maintain it. Other times meteor showers and bombs endanger your containment machinery. Whatever the crisis, if you have followed the steps above it should be safe to simply turn the accelerator off. The engine will continue to generate power as the singularity starves and shrinks, so containment SHOULDN'T fail until the singularity is sufficiently small enough that it cannot move and pull stuff into it. However, the fickle baby singularity will take a long time to die completely, leaving it exposed to potential suicidals jumping into it, giving the singularity energy to expand again. (Cool fact: Engineers provide a singularity with a lot more energy than you'd expect).


Sometimes it's a good idea to charge the SMES quickly (using the optional techniques above) and then turn off the engine safely until you need power again. This means that poor solo-engie can actually go do other stuff and leave engineering for a bit without inadvertently destroying the station.
Once containment is up, walk over to the Particle Accelerator and turn it on to power level 2. Wait for the singularity to reach size 3 and then set the PA to 0 and leave it running. It will not grow in size, unless it gets more energy from [[Station Engineer|somewhere]].


= Using it as a weapon =  
==Turning off the Engine==
The singularity is - along with massive plasma infernos and large scale bombings - one of the most brutal forces on the station. Dangerous enough when set free, it becomes a lag-inducing, shuttle-calling, indiscriminately murdering monstrosity when given a directed path by a Singularity Beacon, leaving nothing but debris, body parts and cold hard vacuum in its path. Perhaps the most dramatic way to end a round as a traitor, it can even eat the emergency shuttle itself, restricting escape to those few smart or lucky enough to grab EVA gear. Its a very effective weapon to use against assassination targets that commonly spend a lot of time in one area, such as [[Scientist|scientists]].
Occasionally, bad stuff happens. Sometimes it is necessary to deactivate the engine as safely as possible because nobody can maintain it. Other times meteor showers and bombs endanger containment machinery. Whatever the crisis, if the steps above have been followed it should be safe to simply turn the accelerator off. The engine will continue to generate power as the singularity loses energy and shrinks, so containment SHOULDN'T fail until the singularity is sufficiently small enough that it cannot move and pull stuff into it. However, the fickle baby singularity will take a long time to die completely, leaving it exposed to potential suicidals jumping into it, giving the singularity energy to expand again. (Cool fact: Engineers provide a singularity with a lot more energy than you'd expect).


Setting the singularity free is not the easiest task to complete as a regular crew traitor, and you will get [[Glossary#Robust.2FRobusting|robusted]] in short order if you are caught. Generally speaking, all you need to do is disable the singularity containment field. This can be accomplished by deactivating the emitters, which is very hazardous due to the gravitational pull of the singularity, its radiation, and the hazards of the containment system itself. Alternatively, you can disable the engineering APC. If you are not an engineer and get identified doing this, you can expect to not make it onto the emergency shuttle alive. Another option is deactivating the collectors, as the Engineering APC cannot charge from the SMES, this form of sabotage probably won't be noticed and will likely be blamed on engineer incompetence. The easiest way to release the singularity is accessing the engine control console and turning power up to level 2. Keep in mind that the containment field is designed to tolerate short term power outages, so if anyone notices the power failure before the containment field fails, then your attempt will be thwarted. Tip: Try turning the PA up to 2 for a while until the Singularity gets huge, then turn off the collectors after a few minutes. If the Engineering staff hasn't wired the Singularity straight into the system, it should fail extremely fast and you'll have a 5x5 singularity running rampant around the station. Be careful to not get caught in the pull, though.
Sometimes it's a good idea to charge the SMES quickly (using the optional techniques above) and then turn off the engine safely until you need power again. This means that poor solo-engie can actually go do other stuff and leave engineering for a bit without inadvertently destroying the station.


Directing the singularity to a target area - be it the emergency shuttle bay or the bridge - requires a singularity beacon and a screwdriver. Don't hang around after you plant it. Putting the beacon somewhere outside the station is usually your best bet to ensuring the singularity reaches its destination.
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Guides]]

Latest revision as of 21:10, 11 April 2023

Engineering Department


The Gravitational Singularity

Of the most feared anomalies in this universe, the Gravitational Singularity is the most terrifying. When at its full potential, it will consume all matter, abiotic and organic. However, it has been discovered that the radiation produced from these singularities can be harvested and converted in power via plasma. This has spawned the invention of the Singularity Engine.

This Guide serves as a how-to for setting up your very own Singularity engine. It includes the step-by-step construction process, what to order, what equipment to wear, and pointers on how to prevent it from consuming your station!

The Stages

The singularity comes in levels, growing with the more energy it collects. It collects energy with the Particle Accelorator, which sends waves of energy into the singularity. After reaching a specific amount of energy, it will grow in size up until stage 5, which needs to consume a Supermatter Crystal to progress to stage 6. With higher levels comes more power, but that means more pull and more radiation. If it progresses to stage 4, it is not unlikely that it could pull up the catwalk of wiring which is powering containment.

Singulo 1.gif Singulo 3.gif Singulo 5.gif
Singularity 1x1 (Stage 1)
Too small - Turn the PA to 2 		Singularity 3x3 (Stage 2)
Poor size - continue waiting 		Singularity 5x5 (Stage 3)
Perfect size - Stop here
Singulo 7.gif Singulo 9.gif Singulo 11.gif
Singularity 7x7 (Stage 4)
Too large - Turn off PA temporarily 		Singularity 9x9 (Stage 5)
Too late - Call the shuttle 		Singularity 11x11 (Stage 6 - Supermatter Charged)
Captain, we have an uh-oh


Singularity Safety

In order to be safe around the new lord, meson goggles must be worn at all times, anti-radiation clothing must be worn, and having any robotic organs won't be fun. If the mesons are skipped, it can stun you, if you skip the radiation clothes you will soon turn bald (and start to die of radiation poisoning), any robotic organs will be subjected to EMPs and soon shut down, and if you're an IPC, good luck. Magboots, while not essential, can also be helpful if going into the containment room is necessary after the engine is turned on.

Containment

For the safest setup, a Singularity engine requires three layers of containment to ensure that the singularity stays safely within a confined space. On the innermost layer, a required 9x9 energy containment field will keep the Singularity from eating the setup. On the middle layer is a large solid container constructed out of reinforced walls to keep out intruders/meteors as well as house all the equipment needed to run the engine. The outermost layer (optional) is a soft barrier constructed out of lattices and grilles to sop up meteors.

Energy Field

An energy field is the only thing a singularity cannot travel through. If this fails, the singularity will breach containment. In other words, don't fuck up this step. You will need:

  • A minimum of 4 field generators Field generator.png
  • A powerful energy source CableCoils.png
  • A minimum of 4 Emitters Emitter.png
  • A 9x9 area

All of this equipment can be acquired from either R&D or Cargo. From Cargo, this is 2 emitter crates and 2 field generator crates, the energy source can be a PACMAN generator, or it could be connected to a Solar Array.

Begin by placing plating down in an open space, this is where your Singularity generator will go. Follow this by building four tiles of lattice out in each direction. Place lattice to make a box out of each of these. Make plating on each corner. Place a field generator on each of the external plating. Make sure that they are properly secured by wrenching and welding them to the plating. Once secured, place 2 tiles of lattice out in any direction from the corner field generators and add plating on the ends. This is where the emitters will go after wiring.

Layout and Wiring

Before attaching the emitters, you will need to build a perimeter out of either catwalks or plating so that you can lay cable all the way around. Make nodes (cable endpoints or dots) in each of the places for the emitters. Ensure that the emitters are facing the field generators and secure them in the same way which the field generators were secured. You will turn them on later once everything is set up.

Maching Placement

Hard Containment

Hard Containment and Control Room

Whenever making an engine that is susceptible to being tampered with or fragile to high-speed space rocks you will likely need a barrier from space. Build walls or reinforced walls around your current constructions. You can build your wires around the interior perimeter of this containment too. Ensure that there is an airlock leading in and out that is accessible only by engineering.

Soft Barriers

Along the outer walls, build 2x8 sections of grilles to absorb the impact of the damage caused by meteors and further impede the incursion of intruders into the engine area. Alternatively, station shields could be deployed around hard containment if that is the station goal for that shift or CentCom is generous enough to accept a request for some.

Particle Accelerator

ParticleAccelerator.png

Next, you will need to order a Particle Accelerator (PA) kit from cargo. Don't open it until you have it where you want to install it. The Particle Accelerator is T-shaped and it fires in the direction of flat side of the T. Each piece will need to be properly oriented, wrenched down, wired with cable coil, and screwed closed. It has 3 main power levels, each sending a different amount of energy into the engine, which can increase the size, sustain the current size, or let it shrink. It could also be hacked, allowing for a higher power output, though it is not recommended for this engine.

Power Generation

The singularity engine works by generating radiation, which the radiation collectors will soak up and convert into energy. As long as there is at least one collector, it will produce energy, thuogh having more is better if power generation is important in this engine instead of fun.

Radiation Collectors

These can be ordered from cargo, coming with 3 collecters per crate. Place radiation collectors Collector array filled.png near or on the perimiter of catwalk or plating which was made before, on plating with a node. Secure them with a wrench and fill with plasma tanks Handheld-Plasmatank.png before turning them on.

SMES

You will needs at least two SMES units to manage the power your engine and to power your engine. See here for a guide on construction. Both SMES should be hooked directly into the engine wire network (which is separate from the station). However the output of one SMES (SMES 1) will feed directly back into the engine wire network and the other SMES (SMES 2) will output into the target network, whether it is the station power net or a Bluespace Harvester line.

Before starting the engine, SMES 1 will need to have its output set to max and SMES 2 will need to have its Input and Output set to 0.

Turning on the engine

Before doing anything else, ensure that everybody is following the correct safety measures

Once everything has been constructed fill SMES 1 with at least 50k watts before attempting to turn the engine on (containment may fail otherwise). This can be done by using a P.A.C.M.A.N generator on the engine network for a bit of time, or using a Solar Array network to collect power. Once SMES 1 has reached at least 50k watts stored, set its charge to off and set its output to max. Go to each emitter and turn them on, you will also need to turn on each field generator until a blue containment field Containment field.gif completely encompasses inner containment.

Once containment is up, walk over to the Particle Accelerator and turn it on to power level 2. Wait for the singularity to reach size 3 and then set the PA to 0 and leave it running. It will not grow in size, unless it gets more energy from somewhere.

Turning off the Engine

Occasionally, bad stuff happens. Sometimes it is necessary to deactivate the engine as safely as possible because nobody can maintain it. Other times meteor showers and bombs endanger containment machinery. Whatever the crisis, if the steps above have been followed it should be safe to simply turn the accelerator off. The engine will continue to generate power as the singularity loses energy and shrinks, so containment SHOULDN'T fail until the singularity is sufficiently small enough that it cannot move and pull stuff into it. However, the fickle baby singularity will take a long time to die completely, leaving it exposed to potential suicidals jumping into it, giving the singularity energy to expand again. (Cool fact: Engineers provide a singularity with a lot more energy than you'd expect).

Sometimes it's a good idea to charge the SMES quickly (using the optional techniques above) and then turn off the engine safely until you need power again. This means that poor solo-engie can actually go do other stuff and leave engineering for a bit without inadvertently destroying the station.

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