Quick answer
Use a regular Panel for structure, Cushion where a product lands too hard, and Slick where a correctly aligned product stalls from friction. The Panel Rack was added in v1.0.5 to carry multiple Panels; since v1.0.6 it has its own keybind and dispenses the next Panel only when you press that control again.
Which Panel solves which failure?
| Item | Use it when | Wrong use |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Panel | You need a floor, wall, guide, or catch | Adding force to a stalled product |
| Cushion Panel | A landing rebounds or ejects the product | Replacing an entire low-friction route |
| Slick Panel | An aligned product loses speed on contact | Fixing a bad angle or physical obstruction |
| Panel Rack | You need several Panels at the work area | Automatically placing or anchoring Panels |
How the Panel Rack works now
- Move the Rack near the section you are building.
- Use its dedicated Rack binding to request a Panel.
- Place and test that Panel before dispensing another.
- Press the Rack control again only when the next Panel is needed.
Older instructions that describe automatic dispensing are outdated on v1.0.6. If no Panel appears, check the Rack binding first, then confirm the Rack still contains Panels. The precise unlock trigger is not stated in the official notes, so this guide does not invent one.
A reliable four-step section
- Start with regular Panels to create the shortest clear geometry.
- Add one Cushion only at the measured impact point.
- Add Slick only after the product is aligned but still slows down.
- Run a repeated batch and keep only changes that remove or move the first growing pile.
For a Phase 2 example, see Cash Register automation. For a line that still clogs, use the automation troubleshooting order. The tools database compares Panels with Fans, Pistons, Magnets, and Bumpers.
What remains unverified
Official sources confirm the roles and patch behavior, but do not publish exact friction coefficients, CPU savings, a universal unlock phase, or a promise that Slick replaces every Fan. Treat exact purchase prices shown in recorded runs as save-specific observations.
Fast answers
Why does a Panel move after placement?
The developer FAQ says Sticky Tools is required to keep tools fixed. The first fixed Panel must contact the floor or another already fixed object.
Should every landing use Cushion?
No. Add Cushion only where rebound is the observed failure; unnecessary soft sections can make diagnosis harder.
Should every lane use Slick?
No. Slick helps friction loss, not alignment, containment, or an upstream blockage.
Sources and evidence
Base Panel terminology: official Steam store. Panel Rack addition and controls: official Steam announcements and FAQ. Slick and Cushion roles: developer demo 0.2.8 devlog. Patch context: v1.0.6 impact note.