About this project
PLEASE CHECK OUT UPDATES FOR LATEST PRODUCTION SCHEDULE!
(Shipping to begin Spring/Summer 2012)
What we're doing:
We're making a commercial-quality espresso machine at a consumer-friendly price.
Consistent pressure and temperature through the entire pull is the key to getting a perfect shot of espresso. And that's exactly what our machine gives you, at a price far below any machine currently out there.
There are basically two kinds of home espresso machines on the market today. The affordable models have no good mechanism of temperature or pressure control. These machines can’t pull consistent shots. So if you're serious about espresso, you’ll need one of the higher-end machines - they make great coffee, but they also start around $700.
But we’re engineers, and we knew that we could design a machine that was just as good as the expensive models - for less. And because we’re coffee enthusiasts ourselves, we kept the consumer experience in mind, and included features that we ourselves lusted after in an affordable machine.
Our machine will retail for around $400, but it's available to you guys on Kickstarter for only $200!
No other machine at this price point offers high-end quality, PID-controlled customizable temperature and pressure, pre-infusion, or shot-time settings - we do.
How we did it:
We took the espresso machine back to the drawing board. We looked at all the latest technologies, and we developed a few of our own.
Building a machine from the ground up meant we could include the features we found ourselves breaking our warranties to add. By re-engineering and re-designing the machine inside and out, we have found ways to improve performance while lowering production costs.
Here are our niftiest features and innovations:
- Redesigned thermoblock. Though models featuring a thermoblock can be found in cheaper machines on the market, their poor design results in inconsistent temperatures and pressures. Our redesigned thermoblock ensures quick and consistent temperature, and allows for rapid switching between brewing and the steam wand.
- PID Controller. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller includes a feedback mechanism that allows our thermoblock to adjust its temperature while a shot is being pulled. This results in much lower temperature and pressure fluctuations during the shot, and ensures that the set temperature and pressure are maintained throughout the shot. Many home baristas find themselves retrofitting their machines with a PID controller. Our PID controller is tuned specifically for our machine, and configured for multiple settings, ensuring fast start-up, consistency over multiple shots, and fast steam-to-brew transitioning.
- Low-cost manufacturing. We've designed our thermoblock, group head, casing and internal supports to minimize manufacturing costs without sacrificing the feel or quality of our machine. Our machine is made entirely of metal, so it feels sturdier than plastic alternatives, and is heavy enough to not move around. We've minimized the use of proprietary components, which means your machine is maximally serviceable and modifiable by you.
- Open-source. The code for our machine will be completely open-source, allowing owners to import and share their code and hardware modifications.
- Espresso pod compatibility: You’ll be able to use our machine with the Easy Serving Espresso Pods, one of the most widely available pre-packaged coffee systems, in addition to loose grounds. Pods are quick, convenient and make for an easy clean-up. They demand a more powerful pump and a unique portafilter, but we thought it was worth it.
Tech Specs:
Portafilter: 58mm; Choice of single-spout, double-spout or naked; Regular or ESE-pod compatible portafilter baskets
Colors: Silver, red, yellow, green, blue, orange, black; matte or glossy
Tank capacity: 2.75L shared tank
Pressure range: 5-15 bar
External dimensions (approximate): 9.5inx12inx9in (width x height x depth); 24cm x 30.5cm x 23cm
Power Specs: 1000 watts
The machine will use an Arduino microcontroller.
What we need:
So we've got the proof of concept down and gone through several prototypes.
We’ve taken some of our prototypes to local coffee shops (shoutout to Land of a Thousand Hills and Octane in Atlanta!) and had their baristas pull a shot on both our machine and theirs. The shots our machine pulled were comparable to theirs in quality, every time.
Now we need to ramp up into the manufacturing stage.With the funds we're asking you guys for, we're going to set up a shop with a foundry to cast the thermoblock and grouphead, and a Tormach CNC mill to machine them into the precision shape that makes our machine so good.
With your help, we'll be able to start shipping machines by Spring/Summer 2012! (Please check updates for the most up-to-date production details available!)
FAQ
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We folded the domestic (U.S.) shipping cost into the pledge amounts, so you do not need to add money for domestic shipping. For shipping outside of the U.S., please add $11.99 to your pledge amount.
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Our machine is built around E-61 size specifications and fits a 58mm portafilter. Most commercial filter holders should fit our machine.
We will give our backers the choice of a single-spout, double-spout or naked (bottomless) portafilter to be included with their machine. Of course, because it's 58mm, you can always use your own!
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The machine is designed for the US market at 110v. At the 1k reward level, we will custom build the machine to be compatible with your country's electrical standard. Please see Update #6 for why we're not making a 240V machine right now, and Update #9 for some options for international backers.
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The machine will have a 2.42" OLED screen, almost exactly as seen here: http://www.inteltronicinc.com/product_view2.asp?psclass=34
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Nope! As long as the machine is kept clean, we don’t predict a need to replace the gaskets, filter holder or any other part yearly. Gaskets might need to be replaced every 2-3 years with heavy use, but because we’ve used standard components, all gaskets and seals can be found at any espresso machine supply store or website.
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We are currently in negotiations with a warranty provider to get warranties out with this machine, but we don't have one confirmed yet. Right now we're in debate over the terms and pricing of a 6-month and 12-month warranty. The problem is that, because of the nature of open-source hardware/software, it's hard to get a warranty, which is effectively an insurance policy on the machines. Our machine is designed to be maximally serviceable by the user, with parts you can source locally, and we will be available to backers to troubleshoot any problems that might arise.
We can't offer refunds on Kickstarter orders, but we're committed to providing the best customer support we can, which includes walking you through repairs and providing new parts if they break. We will be thoroughly testing machines before they are shipped to ensure that we're not sending out duds, but backers should be aware that our small size means that we have limited resources and cannot offer refunds or on-site repairs. It is our hope that the online community built around this machine will serve as a valuable additional resource for code, troubleshooting and modifications.
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Yes! We're using a standard solenoid pump (Italian-made Ulka EX-5), but driving it with a DC pulse rather than mains AC. That way we can precisely control the flow rate by varying the pulse timing. This is better than modulating voltage because you can control of the pump over a much wider range. With voltage control, the pump only has a narrow range that it can work through, while with a variable frequency DC pulse at a fixed voltage the pump can be controlled through a much wider flow rate range.
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None! We don't use a boiler at all. We've combined the thermoblock, group head, and heating element into one unit in lieu of a boiler. The large mass and thermodynamic design of our thermoblock allows for the consistency that our machine provides, without any of the recoup or lag time that you get with a boiler machine.
We know that thermoblocks are usually associated with cheap low-quality machines, but we've gone out of our way to completely re-engineer the concept to be highly effective, making it closer to a tankless water heater that you find in newer, energy-efficient homes than to thermoblocks used in cheap coffee machines.
Additionally, we have thoroughly tested our design at local coffee shops, and will soon be posting graphs of temperature and pressure profiles to show the consistency and quality of our machine.
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We're currently working with a 2.75L tank. At the $1,000 level, however, we are able to offer direct plumbing.
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Right now we're offering silver, red, yellow, green, orange, blue and black. Each color can have either a matte or glossy finish. See Update #7 for swatches.
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We're currently planning on dimensions of 9.5in wide x 12in tall x 9in deep (that's 24cmx30.5cmx23cm for our metric friends). The final machine dimensions might change by 0.5in or so.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
1,546
Backers
$369,569
pledged of $20,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 20.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
And they say you can’t get good coffee for $1 anymore! But your $1 is getting us that much closer to great at-home espresso - we couldn’t do it without you! A hearty thanks, and we’ll put your name on our website. Every dollar counts!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Shot glasses are more than just cute miniature versions of regular glasses - they’re great for your espresso, for your liquor, for growing tiny plants in...With a $10 pledge you get shot glasses with our logo! Just use responsibly.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Coffee is great for warming you up on a chilly day, but sometimes you need to take it to the next level and put on some clothes. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered (literally! - you like that?). Enjoy one of our cozy, and stylish, ZPM T-shirts. And the shot glasses are all yours, too.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Our machines do a lot of the work of making perfect espresso, but you’ve got to help out too. To show our gratitude, we’re making it as easy as possible by giving you the tools you require - namely, a fancy-schmancy tamper for all your tamping needs (probably just espresso, but who knows?). Add that to the t-shirt and shot glasses, and you’ll be sitting pretty.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
There’s no better feeling than unwrapping a box of presents - except maybe the feeling of playing with a bunch of presents. Forgive us for spoiling the surprise, but here’s what you’ll be getting from us: a shot glass, a t-shirt, a tamper, and your very own bag of artisan coffee beans. With our box of gifts, it’ll feel like Christmas in...whatever month you get your box of gifts!
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
For a $200 pledge, you’re pre-ordering one of our very first machines, a $400 retail value! It can be hard to be one of the first to brave new frontiers, but don’t worry - there’s no river-crossings or dysentery in store for you, just awesome home-brewed espresso.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
If you want to boldly brew as you’ve never brewed before, this is your level. For $250, you’ll receive everything you need to craft the perfect espresso - one of our first machines, a bag of artisan coffee beans, shot glasses, and a tamper. And you can savor it while wearing one of our t-shirts. A $470 value!
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
So you didn't manage to snag one of our $200 reward level machines and now you're sitting around all bummed out. Well, buck up, my friend, because we're not going to abandon you. For $300, you can still pre-order a machine. And our later machines will incorporate any user feedback we get from the early birds - so sometimes it pays to wait.
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
We know you were just dying to pledge at our $250 reward level, but, you know, a lot of stuff came up, what with the holidays and TV being so good lately, and you never got around to it...and now it's sold out! Fear not, dear backer. You can still pledge to get our machine and box of goodies that includes shot glasses, t-shirt, espresso tamper, and a bag of artisan roasted coffee beans; a $470 dollar retail value! They'll arrive a little later, but the anticipation is half the fun.
Pledge $675 or more Pledge $675 or more
So you know you want our espresso machine - great! But you also know you'll have a hard time tamping whole beans. We're in the business of solving problems, so let us help you out. For $675, you get our machine AND a Baratza Vario grinder (a $869 value)! Grind away! (This is a 120V/US-shipping only reward level.)
Pledge $725 or more Pledge $725 or more
You're clearly in it to win it at this point, so you may as well spring for the deluxe edition. Our machine, a Baratza Vario grinder, a t-shirt, a tamper, shot glasses, and a bag of Batdorf & Bronson Dancing Goats coffee (a $939 retail value). That's right, we will meet all your fashion and beverage needs. You never need to leave the house again. (This is a 120V/US shipping-only reward level.)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
If you’ve always dreamed of being a self-sufficient one-man (or -lady) coffee shop, this is where you need to be. For $1000, we’ll custom build a machine to your specifications (!), send you all of our ZPM logo products, shot glasses, a tamper, a bag of artisanal coffee, and your very own grinder. Now all you need is a patch of good bean-growin’ land in Colombia, and you’ll be set for life.
Project By
Connected as Gleb Polyakov (469 friends)
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 and aspiring graduate student and is currently working at RoMeLa and DREAMS Lab at Virginia Tech, and on an espresso machine start-up company.
