William Reger FabAcademy 2024
Artista Amara background
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We created a Latte Art Machine that lets you print any design, logo or picture!

Our assembly progress

Machine Design Week

Build Tasks

A structured overview of the group-page tasks for Artista Amara, including concept work, planning, plumbing, tests, frame, motion, case, head, logic, electronics, and integration.

13Task groups
78Subtasks
2Owners
314+Total hours

Concept

Define the machine

We shaped the overall direction of the project and narrowed the machine concept down to a realistic build path.

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Compared machine ideas

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Sketched machine function

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Project Management

Manage the build

We organized the machine work as an ongoing project with shared task groups, backlog tracking, and prioritization.

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Structured task groups

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Maintained build backlog

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Salvage

Collect and strip donor hardware

We built the machine around reused hardware and extracted the parts we could repurpose for motion, heating, and pumping.

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Collected coffee machines

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Collected ATX PSU, ANET V1-5, Ultimaker Mini, Prusa MK3

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Extracted pump & heating element

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Planning

Plan mechanics and sourcing

We turned research, machine logic, fluid behavior, sourcing, and adapter planning into a buildable path for Artista Amara.

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Worked out schematic

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Planned frother

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Researched stable foam for visual media

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Evaluated mesh and screen structures

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Considered the influence of pump, heat, and screens

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Evaluated pump selection and behavior

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Considered behavior at lower voltage

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Considered tube pinching as a valve principle

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Researched solenoid valves and pinch valves

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Considered fluid dynamic effects

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Prepared AliExpress order

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Prepared Reichelt order

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Researched veneer and finish

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Precise planning of the machine after testing

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Drew a system diagram

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Planned and revised adapter parts

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Prepared last-minute component orders

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Plumbing

Connect tubes and fluid components

We built the water path by pairing fittings, machining adapters, connecting tubing, and adding a cleaning station.

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Selected tube adapters

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Turned hose adapters

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Cut threads

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Connected devices with tubing

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Built a cleaning station

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Tests

Test machine behavior

We combined board tests, sensor tests, lighting tests, controller tests, and repeated milk experiments into one validation block.

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Tested PSU output

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Tested pump

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Tested heating element

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Reverse engineered ANET

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Ran blink test on ANET

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Measured through glass

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Measured coffee surface distance

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Infinite foaming up milk tests

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Tested nozzle with milk

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Tested Filament-LED voltage and current

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Tested ESP32-S3 controller

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Frame

Build the frame

We assembled the core structure and added the structural elements needed to make the machine stand, align, and carry the print area.

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Cut frame poles

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Inserted M4 nuts, screws and angle connectors

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Rebuilt acrylic walls

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Added threads and feet

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Added bottom printing room plate

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Added base plate

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Motion

Build motion parts

We adapted the motion system to the new machine geometry and solved the motor, voltage, connector, and space constraints.

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Raised Z [MK3] steppers

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Used Prusa MK3 steppers

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Case

Build the case

This category covers the machine shell, rear plate work, printed brackets, wall planning, mug-bed parts, and finishing steps.

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Cut Ultimaker panels

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Exposed aluminum finish

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Mounted side walls

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Added holes and threads to rear plate

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Designed PSU Case

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Built heating element case & pump brackets

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Designed outer walls

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Designed mug bed

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Engraved mug bed logo plate

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Head

Build the head

We prepared the custom print head around the ToF sensor, optional glass protection, LED ring feedback, and nozzle integration.

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Integrated ToF sensor

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Prepared glass cover for ToF

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Prepared LED ring

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Integrating nozzle

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Logic Circuit

Build the logic circuit

This block contains the Raspberry Pi setup, ANET communication changes, network setup, G-code conversion, and custom Pi HAT assembly.

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Desoldered R52 and R53

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Configured Marlin for ANET

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Flashed Marlin

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Built Raspi website

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Built G-code conversion

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Created Raspberry Pi AP

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Designed, Milled and Soldered Pi HAT

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Electronics

Wire the power system

This category focuses on mains wiring, grounding, distribution, voltage levels, and cable preparation for safe machine operation.

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Wired 240V components

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Grounded components

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Installed Wago distributors

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Wired voltage levels

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Crimped and prepared cables

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Integration

Integrate axes and wiring

We brought the mechanical and electrical parts together and reached the first coordinated machine movement.

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Installed vee belt

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Installed threaded rods

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Installed bed rod

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Printed alignment spacers

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Wired all axis and ran first 3-axis motion test

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