Min R in freespace is 12, but unless molten iron is in the same chamber as one of the outputs, conduits limit R to 13.5.

Getting the left and right chambers to reach 18 R was hard but doable, but assembling the product at that rate was much trickier. After many failed attempts I eventually moved both conduits to the right wall, which meant I could only fit 4 arms in the central chamber; 3 for pulling atoms from the conduits and 1 for assembly.

Going below 18 R requires passing fire through the main chamber, among other difficulties, and appears quite impossible.

I believe I am at min latency + 3. Vitae is limiting. The vitae-mercury bond is one cycle late, and I lose two cycles moving the output around. If I bring the mercury one cycle earlier everything works except it collides with the vitae when moving onto the bonder. I could bring mercury to the main chamber before silver but there is no place to buffer it nor is any arm free to manipulate the buffer. Neither do I think it is feasible to fit Ani in the same chamber as the molten iron. My best solution with mercury input in the left chamber is 2 cycles slower. I could not find a way to build elbows at 18 R.

I expect a big pile up around 18 R, and that many people will get the side chambers to min latency. I would be surprised to see 122 cycles.

Hex grid paper has been super handy. Here's a sample from my notes for this week: https://ermsta.com/r/om_amalgam_notes.jpg