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. In v1.0.7 the Panel Rack can share the interact binding and offers an auto-dispense toggle; Cushions should also be more reliable.
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.
- Bind the Rack to its own control or the interact key.
- Choose manual dispense for controlled placement or enable auto-dispense.
- Place and test one Panel before expanding the route.
Developer Froke says Panel Rack level 1 unlocks after enough Ducks are fed into the Maw, level 2 after enough Cash Registers, and level 3 after enough Piñatas or Candies. The developer did not publish the three numeric thresholds or explain how Piñatas and individual Candies are counted, so watch the terminal after each production milestone instead of following an invented total.
v1.0.6 made manual dispense the baseline; v1.0.7 adds an auto-dispense toggle. If no Panel appears, check the binding, toggle, and remaining Panels.
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
The Panel Rack product milestones come from a direct developer reply, but their numeric thresholds remain unpublished. Official sources also do not publish exact friction coefficients, CPU savings, or a promise that Slick replaces every Fan.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; unlock product milestones: Froke’s accepted developer reply. Slick and Cushion roles: developer demo 0.2.8 devlog. Current patch context: v1.0.7 impact note.