Hello momo,
I noticed in the early game, there is a lot of incentive to use resource refining early, like crushers and sorters for e.g. ore-science. However, e.g. blast furnaces requires basic structure components, which is only unlocked after automation 2 - is this the idea or should basic structure components be available after automation 1? I think this would tie in nicely with getting early use of bobmonium and rubyte when the early belts require e.g. tin.