-
about 17 hours ago
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project update@Gregory Please do not use steam on the LCD and other electronics! But more seriously, the internals are all sealed and insulated, with the electronic circuit board having conformal coating to protect it from condensation. There should be no problem with the machine lasting years and many thousands of shots.
-
1 day ago
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project@Karen Sue Not yet. We'll post when we have (1) good/accurate pictures of the final colors, and (2) when we know the cut-off date for color changes. We're excited about the baskets, too!
-
1 day ago
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project update@Owen Our baskets will be ridged. Assuming that most people won't be changing them out, they stay in better. @James and Brandon It was originally going to be an OLED, but when we eliminated the gauge, the smaller screen did not look great. However, we were unable to find OLEDs that were both large, and in our price range. OLED was great, but this LCD is pretty cool as well. Since it's both larger and higher resolution, we'll be able to build a much more effective and intuitive UI.
-
2 days ago
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
Posted project update #26A Tisket, a Tasket, a Really Awesome Basket
Hi Kickstarters,
Since we last met, we’ve put in initial orders for all of the parts needed to make the first set of 10 prototypes, and sent off our CAD models for the custom parts, so we’re gearing up to begin test model assembly as the packages trickle in. At this point, we’re still on track with the schedule we laid out in the last update - yay!
VST Precision Filter Baskets Will Come Standard with our Machine!
We’re proud to announce that all ZPM machines (except those who opted for the ESE-pod baskets) will ship with a 20g VST precision portafilter basket - the same used in this year’s World Barista Championship in Vienna.
We’re pretty excited, and you should be, too! VST precision filter baskets represent everything we’re about: innovative design and careful engineering in the service of our favorite beverage.
Those of you who have heard of VST baskets will be stoked. For anyone who hasn’t: VST precision baskets are one of espresso’s “next big things.” An irregular portafilter basket can cause channeling and uneven extraction in your puck, no matter how perfect your technique is. VST uses a new manufacturing method to make precision holes that are way more standardized than those you might find in your typical portafilter basket. And their Digital Filter Imaging System allows them to individually test each basket for hole size, circularity and uniformity, as well as total open area. (You get a printout of the test results for your individual basket, which is pretty sweet!) They’ve even engineered the extraction yield performance for each basket size to ensure optimal brewing. (See an early rundown, and a compilation of VST press.)
VST’s filters have been adopted by the world’s top cafes, specialty roasters and World Barista Champions. You’ll also find them standard in great machines like the La Marzocco Strada, the Kees van der Westen Spirit and Nuova Simonelli’s new Aurelia II T3. Oh, yeah, and the ZPM Nocturn.
They’re a bit pricier than your average basket - retailing for around $30 - but we figured we couldn’t skimp on the last thing that touches your espresso before your lips. Why engineer all of this control into a machine, only to leave the basket quality to chance?
We’re always on the lookout for more places where we can stamp it out, and the VST baskets are another step in the right direction. Now when you get a sub-par shot, you’ve no one to blame but yourself.
In order for us to be able to offer this pro-grade add-on to your orders, we are only offering the 20g basket. (You can always expand your VST basket collection by going straight to VST.)
Change of Screen
We know the elimination of the analog gauge was a little disappointing, but we’ve replaced it with a full-color 3.5 inch, 320px X 240px LCD display. We were having a hard time cramming the timer, temperature and pressure on the brew screen with our previous screen pick. This bad boy gives you plenty of space to display all of your desired brew parameters, make data animations, run your LOLcats screensaver - you know, the kitchen-appliance necessities.
Here’s a render of the new front panel, complete with LED-lit buttons, accurately sized d-pad and the new 3.5 in. LCD:
User Interface Architecture Thread
We’re closing in on our final UI design, and we’ve started a thread where we’ll post architecture, screen mockups, and other UI-related odds and ends as we get them. This is a great place for you to make suggestions (nothing’s set in stone yet), or just start familiarizing yourself with the way the menus will (probably) be laid out on the machine.
Screen mockups to come!
All $10 and $25 Rewards Have Shipped
We shipped all of the $10 and $25 rewards about a month ago, and tracking numbers say they’ve all arrived. We hope you’re enjoying our tokens of gratitude! If you’re not yet, but you feel you should be, drop us an email (info@zpmespresso.com).
Love,
Gleb, Igor, Rachel & Janet
Post Comment -
on May 19
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
backed a project
Coffee Beverages Poster by Stacey Wozniak Haynes
Handprinted + Die Cut Posters. Elaborate recipes made simple using modern illustrations.
-
1,036% funded $5,184 pledged
- 196 backers
- Funded May 19, 2012
-
-
on April 30
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project update@James We have a newsletter signup on our homepage (www.zpmespresso.com), but the best way to get notified of new Kickstarter updates is to subscribe to the RSS feed. At the top(ish) of this page there's a "Get updates via RSS" link, which you can click to take you to the RSS feed. You can then subscribe to that by email (in Safari it's in the right-hand bar) to get automatic updates.
-
on April 25
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project update@Michael We're working on it. The problem is that Baratza has regional distributors that we have to work with for each country/region.
-
on April 25
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project updateWe wholeheartedly agree about the analog gauge (there's a reason we put it there in the first place). It just really improved the internal plumbing, gives the circuit board a lot more space for heat dissipation, and made space for a bigger screen, when we removed it. Someone can program an analog gauge graphic to display on the screen!
-
on April 25
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project update@Jamie that's the plan. We we're trying to display everything on the other screen, but it started to get overcrowded and overly complicated. This should make the screen a bit more versatile for the real- time data displays.
-
on April 25
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
commented on a project@OnceWas No photos, but just posted an update. We're working on some hot media updates - once the machine stops exploding (damn you, RadioShack!).
Gleb Polyakov and Igor Zamlinsky
Atlanta, GA
Gleb Polyakov studied physics at Georgia Tech and worked as a financial analyst for Emperion Investment. He now runs a deli in Atlanta, and is working on an espresso machine start-up company. Igor Zamlinsky BSME ‘10 Virginia Tech, is a roboticist ... view more
@Owen Our baskets will be ridged. Assuming that most people won't be changing them out, they stay in better.
@James and Brandon It was originally going to be an OLED, but when we eliminated the gauge, the smaller screen did not look great. However, we were unable to find OLEDs that were both large, and in our price range. OLED was great, but this LCD is pretty cool as well. Since it's both larger and higher resolution, we'll be able to build a much more effective and intuitive UI.
I hope you have some innovative plans to manage the effects of all that steam on the LCD and other electronics, I'd like to use this for a number of years and thousands of shots.
@Gregory Please do not use steam on the LCD and other electronics! But more seriously, the internals are all sealed and insulated, with the electronic circuit board having conformal coating to protect it from condensation. There should be no problem with the machine lasting years and many thousands of shots.