Newsroom

Newsroom

Latest News

Design Verification Build: Ensuring Excellence

In June 2024, Meraki hit a pivotal milestone: completing our first Design Verification Build (DVB). This crucial phase marked our journey from prototypes to a limited batch of production-ready units. Our primary goal was to ensure our design could be consistently and reliably manufactured, all while upholding the highest standards of performance and quality.

The Purpose of Design Verification

The Design Verification Build was conducted to verify that our espresso machine met all design specifications and performance criteria. This process involved extensive testing and evaluation of various parameters, including durability, reliability, and user experience. By producing a small batch of machines, we were able to identify and address any potential issues before full-scale production.

Rigorous Testing and Quality Assurance

In this phase, every machine faced rigorous testing to simulate real-world conditions. We meticulously examined each component and system to ensure peak functionality. Our engineers fine-tuned performance, addressed minor discrepancies, and ensured every unit could consistently produce barista-quality coffee.

Feedback and Iteration

Feedback from our engineers, coffee enthusiasts, and early testers was invaluable during the Design Verification Build. Their insights guided necessary adjustments and enhancements, ensuring our machine meets the expectations of even the most discerning coffee lovers. This iterative process was crucial for refining our design and achieving the perfect balance of form and function.

Final Adjustments and Production Preparations

With the Design Verification Build complete, we made the final tweaks to perfect our design. This phase also involved gearing up for full-scale production, refining our manufacturing processes and quality control measures. Our goal: to ensure every Meraki espresso machine leaving the production line embodies our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the insights and improvements from the Design Verification Build have paved the way for our next milestones. We're excited about bringing the Meraki espresso machine to market, confident it will transform daily routines into extraordinary experiences for coffee enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the official launch.

Hard Tooling Manufacturing: A Milestone in Precision and Quality

As April 2024 unfolds, we at Meraki are thrilled to reach a pivotal stage in our journey: hard tooling manufacturing. This phase marks our transition from prototypes to mass production.

Hard tooling manufacturing involves creating specialized tools and molds for large-scale production. Unlike earlier stages focused on developing and refining prototypes, this phase ensures that every machine meets our exacting standards of precision and quality.

Our journey has been fueled by passion, dedication, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Every component of our espresso machine has been meticulously engineered. Now, with hard tooling, we can replicate this precision on a larger scale. The molds and tools created at this stage ensure consistent accuracy, so every machine operates flawlessly, delivering the perfect espresso experience.

In preparation for this phase, our engineering team conducted exhaustive tests and made numerous adjustments to fine-tune every aspect of the machine's design. This rigorous process guarantees that the tools and molds we create will produce parts that meet our high standards for durability and performance.

With hard tooling manufacturing now in full swing, we're closer than ever to turning our vision into reality: empowering individuals to transform their daily coffee routines into extraordinary experiences. This milestone marks the result of countless hours of engineering and design, showcasing our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

As we forge ahead, our mission is clear: to create an espresso machine that perfectly marries passion with precision. We're thrilled to share the fruits of our labor with the world and invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can transform every coffee moment into something special, celebrating the art and science of exceptional coffee making.

Engineering Build Pathway

Engineering Build 1: July 2023 - Laying the Foundation

In July 2023, we embarked on the first phase of turning our dream into reality. This initial build focused on laying the groundwork for our revolutionary espresso machine. Our team of engineers and coffee enthusiasts transformed conceptual designs into tangible prototypes, engaging in extensive experimentation and testing to ensure seamless functionality of core components. We met challenges head-on, made necessary adjustments, and meticulously refined every detail to meet our high standards of quality and performance.

Engineering Build 2: October 2023 - Refining the Prototype

By October 2023, we entered the second phase of our engineering journey. This stage was crucial for refining the initial prototype using insights and data from the first phase. We focused on enhancing the machine’s internal mechanisms to boost reliability and efficiency. Rigorous testing revealed areas for improvement, leading to significant upgrades. This period of refinement was essential to ensure our espresso machine consistently delivers the perfect coffee.

Engineering Build 3: December 2023 - Fine-Tuning and Enhancements

As the year drew to a close, December 2023 marked our third engineering build. This phase focused on fine-tuning and further enhancements. We scrutinized every detail, addressing minor issues and optimizing each component to perfection. Advanced features were integrated to elevate the user experience, ensuring our machine not only met but exceeded the expectations of coffee aficionados. This stage was pivotal in shaping the final form of our product.

Engineering Build 4: February 2024 - Preparing for Production

February 2024 marked the final engineering build before transitioning to full-scale production. This phase was all about getting the espresso machine ready for manufacturing. Extensive durability and reliability tests ensured that every part could withstand the rigors of daily use. Our team verified that the machine met all safety and performance standards, preparing it for mass production. This build was the culmination of countless hours of hard work and dedication, bringing us one step closer to launching a product we are immensely proud of.

With each engineering build, we moved closer to realizing our vision of creating the perfect espresso machine. Stay tuned as we continue to share our journey and prepare to introduce Meraki to coffee lovers around the world.

January 2023 - The Design Philosophy of Meraki's Espresso Machine

At Meraki, our dedication to thoughtful design goes beyond aesthetics. We started our journey by focusing on the core coffee-making experience. Traditional machines often have bulky, obstructive designs that detract from the joy of brewing the perfect cup. Our goal was to streamline this process, creating a machine as intuitive and straightforward as preparing ingredients on a cutting board.

To achieve this, we integrated three commercial-grade modules—grinding, extraction, and steaming—into a sleek, simple design. Arranged sequentially to mirror the coffee-making process, these modules provide a transparent, engaging visual experience. As you move from grinding beans to extracting espresso and steaming milk, each step is visible, enhancing the entire coffee-making journey.

Our innovative design features CoffeeSense™ Technology, an NFC coffee solution. Simply place Meraki coffee beans on the screen for instant recognition and access to complete coffee information and recipes. This eliminates the worry of low-quality coffee due to incorrect parameters, ensuring a perfect cup every time.

Engineering Configuration and Heat Management

We believe the engineering excellence of our coffee machine should be evident, delivering performance on par with commercial machines. Instead of venting heat from the top, our design increases overall surface area dedicated to cooling, eliminating the need for extra space and making the machine more compact and efficient.

Solving the Grinder's Temperature Sensitivity

One significant challenge of integrating a grinder into a coffee machine is managing temperature and moisture, which can drastically affect performance. This is why commercial coffee machines typically avoid combining these components. However, our design ingeniously solves this problem, ensuring  the grinder operates optimally within our all-in-one solution.

Simplified Water Replenishment

Our independent water tank design makes refilling the machine easy and user-friendly, significantly reducing the hassle.

September 2022 - The Quest for the Perfect Espresso Machine

The elusive search for the perfect espresso machine haunted our founder, sparking the story of Meraki. Traditional machines fell short in user-friendliness, durability, or consistent quality. This frustration ignited our passion to create a solution that transforms every coffee-making routine into an extraordinary experience.