billc Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 81 Location: Seattle, Washington Expertise: Professional
Espresso: CC1 - GS - GS3 - GB5 Grinder: Baratza - Mazzer-Marzocco Drip: My own Creation
Posted Wed Mar 2, 2011, 12:20am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
I have always thought it would be a cool idea to have some participation from the home-barista community. I would be open to this. It would probably be around 50-100 machines however. Might even be able to create some kickback program is sales go well during the first couple of years.
Don't have a lot of time right now to think about it but there is some potential.
billc Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 81 Location: Seattle, Washington Expertise: Professional
Espresso: CC1 - GS - GS3 - GB5 Grinder: Baratza - Mazzer-Marzocco Drip: My own Creation
Posted Wed Mar 2, 2011, 12:32am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
Forgot to answer the other questions above: Bio reactors use stainless steel mostly because of the inert qualities of stainless steel and the ability to sterilize it easily. There are others too. We like to limit brass contact for a couple of reasons. Low pH values of the water can actually etch the surface of the brass causing particles (copper and lead) to contaminate the water. Additionally there is heavy metal in most brass and the more it is reduced the more expensive it is...............
Pictures of the new entry level machine should be available this month. I have a few models here but wanted to wait until I have some professional photos to post
artichoke Senior Member Joined: 25 Aug 2010 Posts: 69 Location: New York NY Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Mar 3, 2011, 11:55am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
billc Said:
...
I have 3 designs currently for controlling this machine and have not yet decided which is the best in terms of price/value/durability. Here is the one method that I have applied for a patent. It involves the use of proportional valves. Proportional valves have the ability to control the flow rate of the water through them by varying the voltage applied to the coil. I use 2 of these valves. One for cold water and one for hot water (hot water is heated via a heat exchanger in the steam boiler). I mix the two streams right before the 3 way valve. Also at that point I measure the temperature. I am able to control the 2 valves via a microprocessor to achieve the proper temperature and pressure. Open both valves at 20% and you get one pressure Open both valves at 50% and you get another pressure Open the hot more than the cold and you get hotter water etc. ...
I think this should work. It's the way the mixer faucet at my powder room sink works. It's time we moved some of this "new" technology into espresso machines! :)
DNAofCoffee Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 66 Location: San Francisco, CA Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Fri Mar 4, 2011, 1:17am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
billc Said:
I have 3 designs currently for controlling this machine and have not yet decided which is the best in terms of price/value/durability. Here is the one method that I have applied for a patent. It involves the use of proportional valves. Proportional valves have the ability to control the flow rate of the water through them by varying the voltage applied to the coil. I use 2 of these valves. One for cold water and one for hot water (hot water is heated via a heat exchanger in the steam boiler). I mix the two streams right before the 3 way valve. Also at that point I measure the temperature. I am able to control the 2 valves via a microprocessor to achieve the proper temperature and pressure. Open both valves at 20% and you get one pressure Open both valves at 50% and you get another pressure Open the hot more than the cold and you get hotter water etc. Bill C
Assuming the cold water is not temp controlled, the microprocessor/controller would need temp data from both the hot and cold water streams (as well as mixed) to calculate and adjust for the relative percent open for each valve. Otherwise you could have the mixed water running through the group until starting temp is reached at which point the portafilter would be loaded. For the pressure, it seems you would need a digital pressure sensor since the pressure at the coffee grounds, without real time adjustments, would vary from shot to shot depending on the grind, dose and tamp.
DNAofCoffee Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2011 Posts: 66 Location: San Francisco, CA Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Fri Mar 4, 2011, 1:36am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
Maybe next you could pre-feed the cold stream from two proportionally valved and separately pumped reservoirs: one with distilled, deionized water and another with loaded mineral water. Mineral profiling, baby!
Posted Fri Mar 4, 2011, 11:27am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
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