The Sheet Metal Espresso Machine
SMEM is a simple espresso machine concept design, to be manufactured from sheet metal and off-the-shelf components. This cost-effective machine is realised by using few material types, existing components, standardised screws and simple processes like laser cutting, metal bending and powder coating.
Concept Design, 3D Modelling, Prototyping, Rendering.
Why
In between client projects there is always time to work on personal ideas and products. At the same time it is a good opportunity to display a variety of different skills. In this case: design with/for sheet metal. Coffee nerd that I am, it was only natural to design an espresso maker.
How
The daily machine that is used at home is a Gaggia Classic from 2010. After having spent many hours doing maintenance and repairs, I familiarised myself with its components and build. Inspired by this sheet-metal-heavy design, I started sketching, getting the skeleton on paper. This was translated into CAD, which could then be used to create a flat pattern for laser cutting. The laser-cut cardboard prototype gives a good sense of proportions, size and exposes what could be improved. Finally the CAD model was finalised and rendered out.
Inspiration
Maintenance experience
Concept sketching
CAD design
Die-cut preparation
Laser cutting
Cardboard prototyping
Assessing the design, size and context
Rendering
What
The end result is an elegant little espresso maker, made from the simplest materials and components. Its color scheme is inspired by a decaying leaf, spotted during a walk between the coffee plantations of Sumatra. One side of the rotting leaf had a deep green color, the other a surprising light mint-like hue.
The machine is aimed at the espresso enthusiast: temperature can be adjusted and there is space to fit a scale below the group head to reach that perfect 1:2 ratio. The steam wand has been omitted since most one-shot-purists prefer a clean espresso or have a separate frothing device to make fancier drinks. Extraction pressure cannot be altered to simplify both the bill of materials and the 'coffee bean dialing-in'-process.
Although the design is conceptual, true dimensions have been taken into consideration, so real components actually fit within its housing.
What's next?
SMEM is a conceptual design. However, the dream is to elevate this project to small-batch production. Shoot me a message if you'd like to partner up!