Fyron and Slick thanks for the correction re mineral scanners.
Slick, you have gone into the relative benefits in conjunction with the time line very well. You have made a complex subject more comprehensible.
But most of us do not have degrees in mathematics. Even if we did, I wonder if we can render it into a simple (or even complex) formuala.
The question is how to translate what you have said into a feasible construction strategy?
These are my thoughts.
1) If you have lots of MOR, build monoliths.
2) If you do not, build Mineral Miners (and Farms and Colliders as needed).
3) Planetary Robotoid Factories are preferred over Mineral scanners since Planetary Robotoid Factories can be used by Mineral Miners (and Farms and Colliders) as well as Monoliths.
4) Build Planetary Robotoid Factories and Sytem Robotoid Factories where is it economically feasible.
5) When a surplus of minerals, organics and radioactives has occurred or when you are running out of places to build Mineral Miners, consider building Monoliths and even consider scrapping Mineral Miners to build Monoliths.
With all said and done, it is the creation of a surplus which is the difficulty. Any possible surplus can dissipate rapidly with the building of ships.
So, one should consider carefully and ask the question, "Do I really need this ship or can I use the resources to build a Monolith."
Where there is a huge planet with a compatible atmosphere, the answer for some will be "Yes, it makes sense to build a colony ship to colonize it."
Where there is no obvious outside military threat, the answer for some may be "No, it is an acceptable risk to delay building the battle cruiser."