Simple research bench

A simple research bench is a Production bench at which your colonists (not prisoners) can research new technology. Once you've selected a project in the Research tab, your research-capable colonists will operate the bench when not otherwise occupied. Multiple researchers can contribute toward a project at the same time, so long as sufficient research benches are available and/or double shifts. Simple research benches are incapable of researching certain advanced technologies. Getting further along on the research tree requires using a hi-tech research bench. It produces research at only 75% the rate of the high-tech research bench.

Building research benches outdoors imposes a x0.75 penalty to research speed. Indoors, the cleanliness of the room the bench is in comes into play, granting modifiers ranging from x0.75 for very dirty rooms to x1.09 for sterile. You can reinstall them at convenience. Because research projects are such long-term projects, it is strongly advised you place dining chairs or armchairs at each bench to keep your researchers comfortable.

Acquisition

The simple research bench is built with 75 Stuff (Metallic/Woody/Stony, 750 for SMVs), 25 Steel in 2,800 ticks (46.67 secs).

Analysis

The simple research bench should be one of the first things to be set up in a new base, after building beds, a cookhouse, storage, and, possibly, a freezer. Multiple research benches can be used concurrently; as soon as you have the manpower to spare, you may want to have 2 researchers operating at once.

However, hi-tech research benches research faster; as soon as you finish the Microelectronics research, simple benches should be quickly replaced. Also, hi-tech research benches are outright required for technologies past Microelectronics.

If resources are tight, but several researchers are available, old simple research benches can be retained in order to research less complex technologies (such as hydroponics, firefoam, and prosthetics). Simple and hi-tech research benches may be used together, though pawns will automatically abandon any simple benches when hi-tech is required.

Stats table

Simple research bench	Beauty	Work to Build	HP	Flammability	Market Value
Material	Beauty	Work to Build	HP	Flammability	Market Value
Bioferrite	0	007,000 ticks (1.94 mins)	500	75%	129
Gold	20	002,520 ticks (42 secs)	150	40%	7,555
Granite blocks	0	016,940 ticks (4.71 mins)	425	0%	176
Limestone blocks	0	016,940 ticks (4.71 mins)	388	0%	176
Marble blocks	1	015,540 ticks (4.32 mins)	300	0%	171
Plasteel	0	006,160 ticks (1.71 mins)	700	0%	745
Sandstone blocks	0	014,140 ticks (3.93 mins)	350	0%	166
Silver	6	002,800 ticks (46.67 secs)	175	40%	810
Slate blocks	0	016,940 ticks (4.71 mins)	325	0%	176
Steel	0	002,800 ticks (46.67 secs)	250	40%	200
Jade	10	014,000 ticks (3.89 mins)	125	0%	475
Uranium	0	005,320 ticks (1.48 mins)	625	0%	515
Wood	0	001,960 ticks (32.67 secs)	163	100%	145