Editing v0.34:Axle

{{Quality|Exceptional|08:50, 12 June 2010 (UTC)}}
{{av}}
{{Machine_component|name=Vertical axle|key=v
|construction=
* 1 [[Log]]
|construction_job=
* [[Mechanic|Mechanics]]
|power=Uses 1 power per tile.
}}
{{Machine_component|name=Horizontal axle|key=h
|construction=
* [[Log]]s
|construction_job=
* [[Mechanic|Mechanics]]
|power=Uses 1 power per tile.
}}

'''Axles''' are used to transmit [[power]] (as generated by a [[windmill]] or [[water wheel]]) over a distance. There are two types: vertical axles move power between [[z-level]]s, while horizontal axles move it north, south, east or west within a given level. Axles consume 1 unit of power per tile.

''For a basic overview of how the different machine parts work and work together, see [[machine component]].''

== Construction ==
Axles are constructed via the [[machine component]]s screen: {{k|b}}-{{k|M}}-{{k|h}} for horizontal, {{k|b}}-{{k|M}}-{{k|v}} for vertical.

Horizontal axles require [[wood]] to construct: one log for 1-3 tiles length, two for 4-7, or three for 8-10.  When making a long chain of axles, building them in groups of 7 tiles long uses the least amount of logs, with an efficiency of 3.5 tiles per log.  If you are feeling lazy, building them in groups of 10 tiles is nearly as efficient: 3.33 tiles per log.  Horizontal axles run East-West by default, but can be built oriented North-South.  Vertical axles require one log for every z-level. As they are made of wood, axles are NOT magma-proof, except for those made of [[nether-cap]]. 

Changing direction requires a [[gear assembly]] at the corner between two perpendicular axles, whether they are horizontal and vertical, or N-S horizontal and E-W horizontal.

Floor tiles will obstruct the transfer of power over z-levels, so [[channel]]s need to be dug through every floor through which a vertical axle passes. (It is not possible to build a vertical axle through [[stairs]].) Be sure to build vertical axle stacks from the bottom z-level up. You cannot build the axle on open space (like directly below a [[windmill]]), but can build it on open space that has another axle, [[gear assembly]], or machine directly below.

Axles do not block unit movement and can be crossed by dwarves without being spooled around them. But keep in mind that digging channels for a vertical axle usually results in a hole that cannot be crossed.
Also keep in mind that digging a deep vertical shaft for axles (for example, to bring power from a windmill on the surface to a [[roller]] in a deep underground mine shaft) has the danger of a dwarf falling down the pit, and dying.

{{Category|Machine components}}

{{buildings}}