Every NTM playthrough starts the same way: punch trees, smelt iron, and then quickly discover that vanilla Minecraft’s crafting grid is not nearly large enough for what this mod demands. Within your first hour you will need to build a custom crafting station, a press to shape metal plates, an assembly machine for complex multi-component recipes, and at least one generator to start powering electric machines. Understanding how these early machines fit together — and in what order to build them — is the foundation of the entire NTM tech tree. This page walks through each machine in detail, covering what it does, how it is powered, and which recipes it unlocks.Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/hbmmods/hbm-s-nuclear-tech-git/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Progression Overview
The early game follows a clear path:- Anvil — craft large components and unlock the construction menu
- Press — shape ingots into plates and wire for machine assembly
- Assembly Machine — build almost every subsequent machine in the mod
- Wood-Burning Generator → Firebox + Boiler + Steam Engine — first HE power
- Stirling Engine — direct heat-to-electricity conversion
- Diesel Generator — reliable mid-early power once oil processing begins
The NTM Anvil is not the vanilla Minecraft anvil. It is a dedicated crafting station that must be built as its own block. You will craft items in it using a blue confirmation button rather than a standard crafting grid.
Machines
Anvil — NTM's Primary Crafting Station
Anvil — NTM's Primary Crafting Station
The Anvil is one of the first tools used in progression. Its GUI is divided into two relevant sections:Key recipes unlocked: Assembly Machine, foundry molds, stamped metal components, meteorite ingot forging.
- Top slots (Smithing): Used for smithing-type recipes, such as forging meteorite ingots or making Foundry Molds.
- Bottom section (Construction): Once a recipe is selected from the list, clicking the blue button performs it. The Anvil draws items directly from your inventory — no pre-staging in slots required.
The Assembly Machine itself is built in the Anvil, using plates produced by the Press. Build the Anvil first, then the Press, then use both together to make the Assembly Machine.
Press — Metal Plates and Wire
Press — Metal Plates and Wire
One of the earliest machines, the Press is used for making plates, wires, and other shaped metal components. There are three variants:
Stamps are crafted first as flat stamps, which cover only a few recipes. Most recipes require the stamp to be converted into a plate stamp or wire stamp using the Template Folder. Stamps in a Conveyor Press can be removed with a screwdriver.Key recipes unlocked: Iron plates, copper plates, wire of all metals, and any shaped component required by the Assembly Machine or Arc Welder.
| Variant | Power Source | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burner Press | Solid fuel (coal, coke) | Baseline | Requires a stamp of the desired shape |
| Electric Press | HE electricity | Much faster | Drops the fuel requirement entirely |
| Conveyor Press | HE electricity | Per-item | No GUI; processes single items on a conveyor belt |
Assembly Machine — Universal Multi-Input Crafter
Assembly Machine — Universal Multi-Input Crafter
The Assembly Machine is the universal machine for building items with up to twelve item inputs. It is important early on and used widely throughout the entire progression. It is built in the Anvil using plates from the Press.The Assembly Machine has no power requirement — it is a purely manual crafter with a large input grid. You set the output by selecting a recipe from the built-in recipe list, load the required materials into the input slots, and press the assemble button.Key recipes unlocked: Chemical Plant, Centrifuge, Boiler, Steam Engine, Diesel Generator, nearly all mid-game machines, advanced components, and electronics.
Because the Assembly Machine requires plates (from the Press) and is built in the Anvil, it is the third machine you should build, not the first. Anvil → Press → Assembly Machine is the correct order.
Wood-Burning Generator — First Power Source
Wood-Burning Generator — First Power Source
The Wood-Burning Generator is the first available way of making power in NTM. It can burn both solid and liquid fuels; the operating mode is toggled with the arrow button in the GUI. It burns wooden logs and planks more efficiently than other solid fuels. Cables and pipes connect at the back of the block.This generator produces a modest but meaningful amount of HE power, enough to run a basic Electric Press and charge small batteries. It is surpassed quickly, but it gets you off the ground.Fuel types: Wood logs (most efficient), wood planks, coal, other solid fuels; also accepts liquid fuels in liquid mode.
Firebox — Cheapest External Heat Source
Firebox — Cheapest External Heat Source
The Firebox is the cheapest type of External Heat Source — a machine that produces TU (Thermal Units) rather than HE electricity. TU is transferred via copper contacts on the undersides of machines and cannot be moved with pipes or cables; the heat consumer must be placed directly on top of the Firebox (or stacked in a heat chain).Burning coal, coke, or Solid Fuel increases the TU output as well as the fuel efficiency. Placing an Ashpit underneath will capture ashes, which can be re-burned or recycled into other materials.Used to power: Boilers, Steel Furnace, Combination Oven, Stirling Engine, Crucible, and many other TU-consuming machines.
Boiler — Water to Steam
Boiler — Water to Steam
The Boiler uses an External Heat Source to heat fluids. The input fluid type must be set by right-clicking the Boiler with a Fluid Identifier; the output is automatically set to the corresponding hot fluid.Early on, Boilers are used to heat water into Steam for Steam Engines. Later, they are also required for oil refining, since the Oil Refinery requires hot crude oil.
| Variant | Overflow Behavior |
|---|---|
| Standard Copper Boiler | May explode when output tank is full |
| Industrial Boiler | Safely stops; will not explode |
Steam Engine — Early HE Power from Steam
Steam Engine — Early HE Power from Steam
The Steam Engine is the earliest way of converting Steam (from a Boiler) into HE electricity. It outputs Low-Pressure Steam as a byproduct, which must either be vented to the atmosphere or condensed back into water using a Condenser.The Steam Engine can only handle regular-pressure steam. Higher-pressure steam (from industrial or nuclear heat sources) requires a Steam Turbine instead.Setup chain: Firebox (heat) → Boiler (steam) → Steam Engine (HE power) + Condenser (water recovery)
Building a closed loop — Boiler → Steam Engine → Condenser → back to Boiler — conserves water and is highly recommended. Without a condenser, you must continuously supply fresh water.
Stirling Engine — Direct Heat to Electricity
Stirling Engine — Direct Heat to Electricity
The Stirling Engine converts TU (from any External Heat Source) directly into HE electricity. It has low efficiency and can only accept limited amounts of heat. Feeding it too much heat will cause it to violently disassemble — parts fly off and must be collected and reinserted.A steel variant of the Stirling Engine offers a modest improvement. Both variants represent a step up from the Wood-Burning Generator but are quickly outclassed by the Steam Engine chain once a Boiler is built.Power output: Low, with limited heat acceptance. Best used as a transitional generator before the Boiler setup is established.
Diesel Generator — First Liquid-Fuel Generator
Diesel Generator — First Liquid-Fuel Generator
The Diesel Generator is a simple early way of producing HE power from combustible fluids such as Diesel or Gasoline — both products of the oil processing chain. It holds a maximum of 4,000 mB of fuel internally, meaning explosive barrels (which carry 10,000 mB) cannot be emptied directly into it.The generator can be stopped by applying a redstone signal, making it suitable for automated on/off control.Compared to later generators: The Industrial Combustion Engine, Turbofan, and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine all consume similar fuels but produce significantly more power. The Diesel Generator is a stepping stone, not an endgame solution.Key fuel types: Diesel (primary), Gasoline (alternate).
Diesel becomes available after establishing a basic oil processing line: Oil Derrick or Pumpjack → Boiler → Oil Refinery → Fractioning Tower. See the Oil Processing page for the full chain.
Quick-Start Build Order
Build the Iron Anvil
Craft the NTM Anvil using iron ingots in the vanilla crafting table. This unlocks the construction menu for all subsequent machines.
Build the Burner Press
Use the Anvil construction menu to build a Burner Press. Craft a flat stamp, convert it to a plate stamp using the Template Folder, and press your first iron and copper plates.
Build the Assembly Machine
Use the Anvil with your new plates to construct the Assembly Machine. From this point forward, most machines are built in the Assembly Machine.
Build the Wood-Burning Generator
Assemble the Wood-Burning Generator and connect HE cables. You now have your first source of NTM electricity for the Electric Press and future machines.
Build the Firebox + Boiler + Steam Engine
Place a Firebox, stack a Boiler on top, and connect a Steam Engine to the Boiler’s steam output. Add a Condenser for the low-pressure steam return. This chain produces significantly more HE power than the Wood-Burning Generator.