3D technology offers baristas tools to customize the coffee experience. From resin molds for latte art to ergonomic portafilters, additive manufacturing allows for creating unique pieces that optimize workflow. A clear example are coffee distributors (WDT) with adjustable needles, printed in PLA, which improve extraction. Required software: Blender for design, Cura or PrusaSlicer for slicing, and an FDM or resin printer.
Parametric design for coffee tools ☕
3D modeling allows adjusting parameters such as the diameter of a tamper or the angle of a leveler. With Fusion 360 or FreeCAD, a barista can design a pitcher holder that prevents spills and fits the countertop. Printing in PETG or high-temperature resin withstands contact with hot water. Templates for cocoa with complex geometries, impossible to cut by hand, are also created. The workflow includes 3D scanning of the espresso machine to ensure the perfect fit of each piece.
When your latte art looks like a 3D squid 🦑
No matter how much you adjust the steam pressure, sometimes the milk seems to have a mind of its own and prefers to form abstract shapes rather than a rosette. That's where the 3D printed mold comes in: a silicone template shaped like a cat that you place over the cup. The result is a foam feline that even your cat wouldn't recognize. But hey, at least the customer gets a photo for Instagram, and you get the perfect excuse to call it contemporary art.