OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks
What This Mod Brings to Your World
For years, two titans of Minecraft modding have existed in parallel: OpenComputers, which introduces fully programmable computers and robots, and Tinkers Construct, which redefines tool crafting and metal processing through massive multiblock structures. Yet a direct line of communication between them was missing. OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks fills that gap with a lightweight, purpose-built interface. This is not a port of older solutions but a fresh creation by a first-time modder, delivering exactly what automation enthusiasts need: the ability to read real-time data from Tinkers Construct smelteries, furnaces, and tanks directly into your Lua scripts. Designed for Minecraft 1.12.2 and running on the Forge loader, it integrates seamlessly with the latest versions of both parent mods, turning your computer network into the central nervous system of your industrial base.
Multiblock Components Under Computer Control
The mod adds driver support for three essential multiblock structures, each exposed as a distinct OpenComputers component:
- Smeltery — The heart of any metallurgy setup. Through the driver, your computer can monitor the total volume of molten metals, check the current fuel level, and read the controller’s operational state. This means you can trigger alloying processes or alert systems when a specific metal reaches a desired quantity.
- Furnace — The high-speed multiblock furnace that smelts items in bulk. The driver provides access to the smelting progress, allowing scripts to coordinate item input and output with precision timing, eliminating idle cycles.
- Tank — The fluid storage multiblock becomes a node in your data network. You can query the type of stored liquid and its exact amount, enabling dynamic fluid management across your entire factory.
With these three components, redstone engineers gain a clean, programmable alternative to messy comparator-and-hopper logic, making fully automated factories not just possible but elegant.
How to Install and Connect Drivers
Getting started with OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks is straightforward. First, ensure you have both OpenComputers and Tinkers Construct installed for Minecraft 1.12.2 with Forge. You can download OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks from popular mod repositories or use a launcher like foxygame.net, which offers a built-in catalog for one-click installation, handling dependencies automatically.
Once installed, the physical connection is simple: place an Adapter block from OpenComputers directly adjacent to the controller of the smeltery, furnace, or tank you wish to monitor. Then, open a computer or drone terminal and run the components command. A new component with a unique address will appear in the list—note its name for your Lua scripts. From there, you can interact with it using standard OpenComputers methods. For example, a smeltery component offers functions to retrieve the number of slots, details about each molten metal, and fuel status. The furnace reports burn progress, and the tank reveals capacity and fluid type. This opens the door to sophisticated automation without a single redstone dust line.
Version History and Bug Fixes
Like many first-release mods, the initial version had a minor cosmetic issue: component names displayed as technical strings like gui_smeltery_name instead of the expected clean label. The developer responded quickly to community feedback, and version 0.4 completely resolved this bug. Now component names are intuitive, making your code more readable and maintainable. The mod’s visual identity also received a professional touch with a logo designed by AshenGaming, giving it a polished look in your mod list. While the mod is compact, this attention to detail reflects a commitment to quality that benefits every user who decides to download OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks for Minecraft.
Automation Scenarios: From Smelteries to Smart Tanks
Imagine a fully autonomous forge. OpenComputers robots mine ore and deliver it to a smeltery. The driver component reports when enough metal has accumulated, and your Lua script automatically triggers the casting of tool parts or blocks. Finished products are then routed to storage by drones—all without player intervention. Another scenario: a smart tank that monitors lava levels and, when they drop below a threshold, activates a pump in the Nether to replenish the supply. The mod doesn’t add new blocks or graphical interfaces; it works purely at the software level, staying true to the OpenComputers philosophy. This “invisible” power is what makes it indispensable for builders of complex computing systems.
Why This Mod Is a Must-Have for Engineers
OpenComputers Drivers for Tinkers Construct: Automate Multiblocks is a small but critical cog in any tech-heavy modpack. It doesn’t bloat your game with extra entities, it avoids conflicts with other addons, and it solves a specific problem: bridging two modding giants through a universal interface. If you already run OpenComputers and Tinkers Construct, adding this driver is the logical next step toward uncompromising automation. The simple setup and stable performance after the 0.4 patch make it practically essential for any programmer-engineer in the cubic world. Whether you’re building a smart foundry or a self-regulating fluid network, this mod delivers the missing link you’ve been waiting for.