The aim is to take up the spontaneity inherent in the maker scene in the optimization of existing solutions and transfer them to the field of industrial applications. For the premiere, the use of a small controller contributes to a significant improvement in quality. The projects are intended to invite imitation and will be made public via the award-winning RS developer community DesignSpark.

Anyone who remembers the "PeopleCounter" project will come across a very familiar format: A series of DIY projects are to be created, the core of which is a description and a parts list on DesignSpark as well as a descriptive video. There are basically two different types of projects. The first category involves professional solutions that are clearly tailored to the needs of industrial users. The second type of project, on the other hand, has a fun factor.

And sometimes both factors come together in a single concept. This is the case right at the premiere. With a few technical interventions and the use of a small control unit, the secret of good coffee is implanted in a standard pad machine; it lies in the correct contact time between ground coffee and water! If the contact time is too long, the coffee becomes bitter; if it is too short, not all the flavors are extracted and the result is bland. The Barth team took the hardware of a generic machine and automated it with a lococube mini PLC (type STG-800). The result: repeatably optimal espressos. The procedure and results can be found in the detailed description of the project on DesignSpark. The complete parts list and an explanatory video can also be found here.

Barth Elektronik has specialized in the development and manufacture of its innovative lococube mini PLC since it was founded in 1993. RS Components has been distributing these for several years and has contributed significantly to the expansion of their market share. The mini PLCs are characterized by their small size and robust design. As they can be battery-powered, they can be used to control applications such as stand-alone machines or mobile systems. They can also be integrated directly into machines. This also means advantages due to reduced cabling requirements.

Daniel Barth, CEO of Barth Elektronik, is delighted about this opportunity to create new fields of application for the small controllers: "Creative potential usually develops when we break away from our familiar environment. This effect then spills over into completely different tasks. In this respect, it is doubly worthwhile for everyone to get involved in a maker project. I'm excited to see how the whole thing develops."