Espresso Machine Concept in Wood

Food & Beverage Woodworking
Espresso Machine Concept in Wood

Love the looks of this wooden espresso machine model. Created at Oslo School of Architecture and Design by student Oystein Husby as an expression of the Nordic connection to coffee. An interesting part of the process was their moving from CAD model to wooden cross-sections:

CATIA was next. Considering we were to make the machine in wood, we faced a series of challenges. Our school has a CNC milling machine, but they do not have the appropriate equipment to mill wood. We therefore had to find a way to translate the computer model into a real life model.

Easier said than done, but we found a solution. In CATIA we would slice the 3D model in 1.5 cm thick horisontal cross sections , corresponding to the woodplanks.

We would then extract each silhouette of these cut shapes of the 3D model, much like a contour map. We plotted out these shapes in 1:1, 35 in total, and traced them off atop each of the seperate wood planks. After cutting out the shapes of the wood plank, we were left with a very rough 1:1 model of the 3D-model – merely hinting the final shape. These were then glued together in a very specific order so the neccesary holes could be cut out of the shape.

Norwegian Coffee Experience via Swissmiss thanks to Average Jane Crafter

14 thoughts on “Espresso Machine Concept in Wood

  1. Gregory Marshall says:

    I have been using a similar technique to build toy cars for years (I layer side to side rather than bottom to top). I love the wood look on this model. If it was functional I would buy one right now.

    1. John Edgar Park says:

      Me too! Of course, then I might be disappointed when Herrnichte (above) turned out to be right and the steam warped it into a funky new shape over time… Does anyone know of techniques for prepping/sealing so that it could hold up in a hot, steamy environment like that?

  2. Anonymous says:

    It’s beautiful, but… steam+wood = warp (then eventual rot). ah well, aesthetics über longevity.

    1. Anonymous says:

      Also looks hard to clean.

  3. Anonymous says:

    That is a beautiful coffee maker, regardless of practicality.

  4. Robert says:

    I agree with Chrome6. It is beautifull. I doubt if you ever planed for it to be used more than a few test so it doesn’t make a difference about the steam. I assume that the finish you used is somewhat water resistant. Anyway, Great Job.
    Bob Jones (Rockwell BladeRunner Reviews)

  5. Olivia Pearce says:

    Congratulations, this is the best designer espresso machine I’ve ever seen. The idea that the machine is made ​​of wood is awesome.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!

John Edgar Park likes to make things and tell people about it. He builds project for Adafruit Industries. You can find him at jpixl.net and twitter/IG @johnedgarpark

View more articles by John Edgar Park

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK