Since it's a question that rises at regular intervals, I figured I'd take a shot at making the "ultimate" Machine Parts mini-tutorial. All details here apply to 1.03, but to a lesser extent also to previous patches. Please comment so I can make it better and at some point include it in a FAQ or something
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Machine Parts are an important good for the wannabe industrializer, and since they also can be in short supply, especially at the start of the GC, you'll need to plan ahead so you can cover your needs as much as possible.
The simplest is to purchase it from the World Market. However, because of it's short supply, you'll need to be high on the prestige ranking, if not at the top, to even have a chance at getting some machine parts.
If you wish to make your own machine parts, you'll need a
Machine Parts factory. It requires 5 machine parts, 10 iron, 10 cement and 20000 £ to build it, and the raw materials it needs are steel and coal.
To be able to build the factory, you'll need the
Precision Work-invention. At the start of the game, the only nation to have this invention is the UK, which is why machineparts are in short supply. Theoretically, you can get the Precision Work-invention as early as Jan 1st 1840, but due to the research needed to get it, most civilized countries won't be able to get it till sometime later in the 1840s at the earliest.
Precision Work is triggered by
Interchangeable Parts.
Interchangeable Parts depends on a set of other technologies, which in turn have their dependencies. The whole list of technologies preceding Interchangeable Parts is:
If you wish to get a Machine Parts factory at the earliest possible opportunity, you'll need to select your research among these techs whenever possible. Note that some nations start with a few of these techs already researched.
Some of these techs have the added benefit of providing you with some machine parts "for free" along the way:
- Publishing Industry - +5 machine parts
- Mechanical Production - +5 machine parts
- Interchangeable Parts - +10 machine parts
- Precision Work - +10 machine parts
Rafiki