Bean
An automated Aeropress machine that wakes you up with the smell of coffee
12 week group Project
A 4 person group project with a major focus on combining mechanics and electronics to adapt and manufacture a fully working, automated AeroPress coffee machine.
Research
We tested the Aeropress in order to find the ideal cup of coffee as well as existing issues found with the Aeropress.
Whilst drip coffee makes use of gravity to pull the water through the coffee grounds, the Aeropress uses air pressure. It forces the water through the coffee grounds by pushing the plunger down.
whats your type?
The Aeropress brews various types of coffee which can be customised to suit your liking Variables that affect the taste of the coffee can include Coffee-Water ratio, brewing time, plunging pressure and swirling before plunge.
Initial Concept
A coffee machine designed for the young, working professional.
Input an alarm time the night before and wake up to the sound and smell of freshly brewed coffee.
development
Calculations were made to develop the existing idea into a feasible concept.
These developments helped determine the materials, size, shape, mechanical workings and manufacture of the final machine.
Manufacture
The machine was manufactured over a period of 4 weeks. It is fully functioning with working coded electronics on a PICf45K20 microchip.
Additive Manufacture
Parts were strategically split to overcome size and stability limitations during 3D printing with PLA and TPU.
Workshop Manufacture
General manufactured included cutting parts on a laser cutter, line bending, drilling etc.
Machined parts included custom designed steel gears that were waterjet-cut and a welded steel frame.
Electronics + Coding
The coding required several stages of development using 18 components and 800+ lines of code on a PICf45K20 microchip.
The final circut was soldered to a stripboard and stored at the base of the machine.
Assembly
All parts were assembled to create a working prototype that heated water, dispensed coffee grounds and plunged the Aeropress on a gear and thread mechanism.
