Free/Libre automated coffee maker

[taylor]

Hello all!

Every morning I wake up, clean out the coffee maker, fill it with water, refill the grounds, and hit "start". I would love to eliminate most of that work with automation.

I'm imagining some kind of Flutter-powered brewing system along with some automated bits that can clean it out, get a new coffee filter, and start brewing again. It would need 4 storage vessels - fresh coffee grounds (or beans + grinder), fresh water, spent coffee grounds, and spent coffee. Alternatively it could be hooked up to a tap and placed in a location on the counter such that there is a chute to the garbage can (possibly with a sensor to confirm the can is there before dumping). 3D printed components can be used for much of the structure, but food safe components need to be used for all surfaces that come in contact with food.

I am tired of buying things I cannot fix, with limited features, high cost, and way to customize. Anyone else?

TODO

Discuss design choices. - What kind of brewing system will we use? What is an optimal way to dispose of old coffee? How do we place the new filter? Is there any kind of brewing that uses a roll of continuous filter material? This would be cheapest long term, if a reliable mechanism could be made that utilized it.
Prototype possible mechanisms.
PROFIT - Hahahaha, just kidding. Enjoy coffee!

Concept Sketch

I drew up some basic concept sketches to illustrate how I think the dumping mechanism and other parts may work. Also I say "pump/heater" for the water, but this can be done without the pump. I will include pictures of my current coffee maker for how that is done without a pump.

Reference Photos

My current coffee maker uses a "boiler in a hole" method to send steam up a silicone tube to the shower mechanism. This would be a good thing to design for our system. Alternatively, a gravity feed system could be used.
Here's the boiler in a hole:

That tube leads to the top of the coffee maker, where there is a silicone gasket and then a steam condenser and shower unit. This could be prototyped with 3D printed ABS, just don't drink what comes out!

Filter Basket I think we could use. These are ~$5.

[Netzvamp]

Could be way easier to modify a coffeepad machines like this one (there are a lot other product, just an example):
http://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/HD7810_65/coffee-pod-machine

Normal usage:
Put water in depot (if empty), open on top, put coffepad inside, close and press button.

Possible Improvements:
- Remote activation, cause it takes ~30 seconds to be ready (get hot water). So i can press a button in the office to get the machine in kitchen ready.
- Automated replace of coffepad.
- Bigger Water depot. (Easy: Make it bigger. Advanced: Connect to water from wall)
- Automated cup placement for fully automated coffee production
- An billing system, that ppl pay there coffee and the machine can be use for all ppl in the office

Everything is possible

[taylor]

Thanks for the suggestions! My real hope is to design something from scratch though so that anyone can build it with generic materials. Also coffee pod machines require special coffee and generate a lot of waste. I'm hoping for something that can take normal coffee grounds and brew some coffee. it's a big project but it would be really cool to get started!

We need a good boiler design to start probably...

[gcomer]

You might want to consider using filter packs http://www.coffee.org/coffee/filter-packs.html Possibly would simplify things a little, not having to deal with filters and ground coffee individually.

If you want to go the grind your own beans route, might consider a reusable filter you could mount to a movable arm. Would keep you from having to manipulate paper filters. Just might be an issue of getting it clean when dumping grounds out automatically.

[gcomer]

Another thought, instead of trying to work out a boiler why not just incorporate an under sink instant hot water system. http://www.insinkerator.com/en-us/Household-Products/Water-Products/Pages/Default.aspx Then you would only have to work a valve for your hot water.

Would somewhat limit where you could have it located I guess. And definitely would not be portable.