How do paddle machines work?

Kelsey

My understanding of paddle machines is that the main benefit comes from the ability to pressure profile.

If not, please improve my understanding!

Either way, where does the pressure in these systems come from? Traditional espresso machines have a pump, levers have levers or springs.

What mechanism supplies pressure to a paddle machine?

Rider

Kelsey wrote:

What mechanism supplies pressure to a paddle machine?

Rowing..... Sorry, couldn't help it.... :laugh:

Brett_H

Ah ha... Found it! This is the La M video which shows that they don't infact pressure profile like a slayer: http://youtu.be/Ad7hVWGNRYI I sure hope Ronin will be along soon because I think that he is wise in such things.

LaSanMarcoMelb

Nice one Brett, I didn't realise the LM paddle was only pre infusion, always assumed it was pressure profiling.

Kelsey

So basically if you want pressure profiling on anything other than a non-manual lever then it's either a Slayer (there's one on the bay fir $15k) or DIY ala C-Man!

LaSanMarcoMelb

Or possibly an external pump and a flathead screw driver :-)

Ronin

I'm no expert but I think even the slayer is not variable pressure. If so its only the LM strada that is. There is some play in the LM preinfusion. Works on line pressure, open a valve basically & can open it fully or partially for some variation. Then Turn pump on & can go back to line pressure. I think the idea was to replicate a lever type of result. Sorry bout short reply. iPhone to slow

Ronin

Ronin wrote:

I'm no expert but I think even the slayer is not variable pressure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LWcI-7j1z0&playnext=1&list=PL130635DB499EBCB4&feature=results_video Seems the Slayer is not adjustable pressure during extraction. At least the Gen 1. Been thinking (Yes it happens on occasion). I can not see any reason that with a pressure gauge on any machine, an adjustable bleed off (hydraulic OPV )valve could be fitted with an external adjustment lever or dial to adjust it during extraction. Excess water just returns to the tank. Simple in theory, minor adjustment that is easily reversible. I see no reason that there would need to have a adjustable pump (either electrical or otherwise).

Brett_H

I believe that there are people with EM6910s trying exactly what you're saying Ronin. It would be an interesting project for someone with a spare Silvia or Modded Oscar.

askthecoffeeguy

I'm no expert in this area but I believe that the mechanical paddles run on line pressure only which effects pre-infusion, whereas the La Strada has adjustable pressure profiling? Isn't it the case on the Slayer that as soon as you activate the second group it knocks out the pressure profiling? P

Ronin

askthe coffeeguy wrote:

I'm no expert in this area but I believe that the mechanical paddles run on line pressure only which effects pre-infusion, whereas the La Strada has adjustable pressure profiling? Isn't it the case on the Slayer that as soon as you activate the second group it knocks out the pressure profiling? P

I guess it really depends on the machine. The Slayer is a 2 stage profile that profiles with flow rate not pressure. The first stage is adjustabe and the second stage uses the usual pump pressure with .6 restrictors. If the second group is activated the flow rate it still runs as adjusted until the pump is started. (learned this this morning from a slayer owner). Synesso Cyncra suffers the problem you referred to Pat. Synesso Hydra gets around the problem with multi pumps, 1 per group. The LM Strada uses variable pressure