found a way for incomplete digtron layouts to be created

class_layout.lua

@@ -94,9 +94,8 @@ function DigtronLayout.create(pos, player)
 		local node = minetest.get_node(testpos)
 
 		if node.name == "ignore" then
-			--buildtron array is next to unloaded nodes, too dangerous to do anything. Abort.
-			self.all = nil
-			return self
+			--digtron array is next to unloaded nodes, too dangerous to do anything. Abort.
+			self.ignore_touching = true
 		end
 		
 		if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "water") ~= 0 then

util.lua

@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ digtron.damage_creatures = function(player, source_pos, target_pos, amount, item
 			if obj:is_player() then
 				-- See issue #2960 for status of a "set player velocity" method
 				-- instead, knock the player back
-				newpos = {
+				local newpos = {
 					x = target_pos.x + velocity.x,
 					y = target_pos.y + velocity.y,
 					z = target_pos.z + velocity.z,

util_execute_cycle.lua

@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ end
 
 --Performs various tests on a layout to play warning noises and see if Digtron can move at all.
 local function neighbour_test(layout, status_text, dir)
-	if layout.all == nil then
-		-- get_all_digtron_neighbours returns nil if the digtron array touches unloaded nodes, too dangerous to do anything in that situation. Abort.
+	if layout.ignore_touching == true then
+		-- if the digtron array touches unloaded nodes, too dangerous to do anything in that situation. Abort.
 		minetest.sound_play("buzzer", {gain=0.25, pos=layout.controller})
 		return S("Digtron is adjacent to unloaded nodes.") .. "\n" .. status_text, 1
 	end