Simple research bench

A simple research bench is a production bench at which your colonists can research new technology.

It is the less advanced version of the hi-tech research bench, only allowing access to the basic technologies including those which unlock its more advanced counterpart.

Acquisition

Simple research benches can be constructed with 75 Stuff (Metallic/Woody/Stony, 750 for SMVs), 25 Steel in 2,800 ticks (46.67 secs).

Summary

Once a project has been selected in the Research tab, colonists assigned to Research work type will work at a simple research bench to complete the project.

The rate of research depends on the following factors:

The research speed stat of the researcher
The type of research bench used. Simple research benches impose a ×0.75 multiplier to this research rate and are incapable of researching projects beyond Microelectronics.
Whether the bench is outdoors and, if indoors, the cleanliness of the room. Building research benches outdoors imposes a ×0.75 penalty to research speed. Indoors, the cleanliness of the room the bench is in comes into play, granting modifiers ranging from ×0.75 for very dirty rooms, ×1 for clean, to ×1.09 for sterile.

Simple research benches cannot be linked to a multi-analyzer.

Multiple researchers can contribute toward a project at the same time, so long as sufficient research benches are available, and benches can be freely swapped between researchers.

Unlike the hi-tech research bench, they can be reinstalled at will.

Analysis

The simple research bench should be one of the first things to be set up in a new base, after building rooms, beds, 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.

Because research is a long term task, it is advisable to place dining chairs or armchairs at each bench to keep your researchers comfortable. If resources are limited, placing half of the available researchers on a night shift allows them to share benches. Research benches should ideally be placed in their own room, called a Laboratory, and outside of major thorougfares to help keep them clean. Flooring the room is also highly recommended - placing down steel or sterile tile will even slightly increase research speed, but is less of a priority due to their cost. Sculptures and other beautiful items will keep the researchers happy. If investing any significant amount of resources into a laboratory, it is recommended to build it such that it will fit the larger, 5 × 2 tile, hi-tech research benches and multi-analyzer that will eventually be required.

Once they are unlocked, hi-tech research benches are 33.33% faster at researching. As soon as Microelectronics is researched and the colony has sufficient power and resources to construct them, simple benches should be replaced with hi-tech benches for the research speed buff and to unlock projects beyond Microelectronics.

If resources are tight but several researchers are available, simple research benches can be retained in order to research less complex technologies. 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