Sifter

Sifter is an early-game station that separates the powder-like blocks (like Sand, Loose Silt, Dirt, etc.) and returns any useful materials that are found inside. Most blocks cost 0 pixels, and the materials within them can be very valuable, so this is very beneficial to do.

Later in the same it gets replaced by Powder Sifter, which is faster and yields better results.

Rock Breaker and Rock Crusher can process rock-like blocks in a similar manner.