The Timer is a machine block which, when triggered, emulates a keypress after a set time.
Settings[]
| Parameter | Default Value | Range | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Start the countdown. |
[B] | Keys | Automatic is False |
| Automatic Starts automatically on simulation start. |
False | Boolean | - |
| Hold to Run Releasing the Start key will abort the countdown and/or emulation. |
False | Boolean | - |
| Allow Stop Pressing the Start key again after starting will abort the countdown and/or emulation. |
False | Boolean | Hold to Run is False |
| Loop The timer will trigger again after emulation is finished. |
False | Boolean | - |
| Wait How long to wait before emulating the keypress. |
1.0s | 0.0s - 60.0s | - |
| Emulation Duration How long to hold the emulated keypress. |
1.0s | 0.0s - 60.0s | - |
| Emulate The key to emulate. |
[C] | Keys | - |
Behaviour[]
The Timer waits for a specified time, and then presses and holds a key for a specified time.
When triggered, a needle on the face will rotate anticlockwise to indicate the remaining time.
An indicator light on the face of the block turns on when the block is emulating a keypress.
Timers cannot activate themselves, outside of the Loop option.
If the countdown or emulation is aborted (through Hold to Run or Allow Stop), it will not hold its current time. When triggered again, it will start from the beginning.
It is not necessary to attach them to the machine; they will work just fine left lying on the ground. Especially considering their mass and how many you may need.
Automation blocks run at 50hz (once per two physics steps, or every 0.02s). Set times will be rounded up to the closest 0.02s.
Usage[]
The obvious use of the Timer is for delayed action - such as opening the bomb bay doors before releasing a bomb, or dropping a vacuum missile away from the launching plane so it doesn't blow it to pieces.
It can also be used for any timed action, such as rotating a hinge, retracting a winch, or firing a flamethrower. This is particularly useful for setting up machines on simulation start.
The most important use of the Timer, however, is sequencing. Multiple timer blocks can be used in parallel or in series to automate complex sequences, such as autoloaders and landing gear.
It can also be used for cosmetics, such as indicator lights and needles. Setting the Wait time to some obscenely high value will ensure that the entire face will be red for longer than you need to worry about.
Technology[]
- Timers can be used to fire Autocannons using a looped timer with wait and emulation time set to 0. This has a faster rate of fire than heating the cannon with a flamethrower.
- Walker walk cycles can use timers.
- Autoloader systems can be sequenced with timers.
- Mechanical Engines can make use of timers for firing timing.
- Through Pulse-Width Modulation, timers can either be used as a fixed throttle (moving hinges or wheels slower by a fixed amount), or extend the duty cycle of variable PWM systems.
As with any good block, the possibilities are endless.
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