This post is under construction*

Beanstorm

Espresso machine conversion incorporating pressure and temperature control via a native IOS app over BLE. Realtime control in C++, native IOS app in Swift/SwiftUI.

Introduction

The Goal

For a while now, a number of existing and new espresso machines have been offering features to enable precise control of pressure/flow, temperature, profiles and graph; in real-time, shot characteristics. These features are increasingly becoming desired and expected in the specialty coffee scene. The Decent DE1, Meticulous and Gaggiuino have all served as significant inspiration to the project. All of which facilitate pressure profiles, real-time graphing, and temperature control.

Starting Point

The starting point for the project is an unmodified Rancillio Silvia from 2012, a clean slate to work from. The Rancillio Silvia is essentially a glorified kettle, and that's why it's great. All the mechanical components to build a great, capable espresso machine, without the software. The Silvia has no digital control electronics, using thermal fuses for temperature control and a switch wired directly to the vibratory pump to get the shot started. Vibratory pumps are really effective for the size, cheap however really quite loud... Both the Decent DE1 and Gaggiuino projects achieve pressure control using vibratory pumps. For the Gaggiuino an in-line pressure transducer is used to create the pressure control loop.

Mechanics

Electronics

OS

App