Howdy everybody,
Comfortable New Yr! We wished to share one other manufacturing and engineering replace to maintain you within the loop on the place issues stand for 2026.
Gentle Tube Implementation
One of many extra seen {hardware} enhancements we’ve got been engaged on is the implementation of fiber optic gentle tubes with our LEDs indicators. This resolves the prior concern the place warmth publicity might result in untimely LED failure. As a result of the sunshine tube introduces some loss in brightness, we needed to regulate the LED output to compensate. This took a couple of iterations and required discovering a provider that might supply a fabric with appropriate gentle emittance whereas additionally withstanding temperatures nicely above our working vary.
The excellent news is that this resolution is a close to inventory fitment and backwards appropriate on all prior machines. We started implementing this transformation in November, and the ultimate iteration from our provider which features a brighter bulb, adapter, and fiber optic cable shall be accomplished subsequent week. We’ve executed in home testing utilizing warmth weapons to show the Argos previous warmth ranges seen throughout commonplace operation and have confirmed it is a significant sturdiness enchancment.
Scale Detection Software program Replace
In our final replace, we talked about a software program enchancment associated to scale detection within the boiler. This has now rolled out and has resolved a number of fluid degree sensing points that might happen with mineral scale buildup which is a pure a part of use. Please be sure to replace to the most recent firmware via the app and as at all times, be sure to descale your machine quarterly.
https://assist.odysseyespresso.com/article/22-citric-acid-passivation-and-descale
With this replace, when the fluid degree is low and the system detects scale, the amber LED will quickly flash to offer a transparent and distinct warning.
Hydrostatic Stress Testing
Now we have accomplished our new hydrostatic stress testing jig, which is a serious improve to our high quality management course of. This enables us to stress check boilers for a number of minutes at a time previous to set up, enabling a way more thorough inspection for leaks earlier than a boiler is ever assembled right into a machine. This up to date course of considerably will increase our confidence in each unit leaving the store.
OLD Setup: NEW Setup:
Heating Ingredient Enhancements
Now we have continued refining our heating components with a give attention to long run reliability. We not too long ago transitioned from 316 chrome steel components to Incoloy 800. Incoloy 800 is a premium heating factor materials generally utilized in excessive temperature industrial functions. It presents even better corrosion resistance than 316 stainless and is much less prone to emphasize corrosion cracking that may happen from thermal biking after a strenuous shaping course of throughout manufacturing.
Individually, we recognized a difficulty with gasket deciding on a current batch of PTFE boiler gaskets. In some instances, after torquing and stress checking, the nut might chill out barely because the gasket materials settled. The rapid repair was easy and secure, and we up to date our inner procedures to incorporate a re-torque spec throughout meeting.
To make this extra sturdy long run, we up to date the heating factor design to incorporate an o-ring groove on the base so we are able to use excessive temperature rated silicone o-rings. We ran a pilot batch of 20 models utilizing the brand new Incoloy components with this design and noticed wonderful outcomes, with torque remaining secure after preliminary tightening. We made a couple of small refinements and are receiving the subsequent batch of 40 items this week and 60 extra subsequent week. As soon as these are confirmed, we are going to transfer immediately into full manufacturing, with further batches rolling in round early February.
Drip Tray Nook Seal
Now we have continued testing a drip tray nook seal designed to assist safe the V2 drip tray covers whereas additionally defending the realm the place the tray sits close to the entrance cowl. Now we have been testing 3D printed TPU samples with good outcomes and are actually working with our provider on silicone and polyurethane manufacturing samples. As soon as we’ve validated these samples we’ll embrace this with all new machines.
As a result of that is addressing a producing associated match concern, we plan to offer these nook seals for gratis to present clients as soon as they’re obtainable. If you want to obtain one, please electronic mail our assist staff to be added to the waitlist. We’ll start fulfilling requests as quickly as manufacturing components are prepared.
Fluid Stage Probe
We recognized an intermittent concern with our fluid degree probes the place, in some instances, the probe or its insulation sleeve might shift barely over time. Both of those points would partially impede the sensing tip and result in a low fluid studying when the boiler degree was really acceptable.
Our preliminary mitigation was to introduce a bend on the tip of the probe to cut back the chance of motion. Whereas this improved the state of affairs, it didn’t absolutely get rid of the difficulty. Earlier than putting our subsequent probe order, we labored carefully with our provider to implement a extra sturdy resolution.
The primary change is the addition of a pressed flat part within the metallic probe simply above the insulation. This transformation in cross sectional geometry prevents the probe from migrating relative to the insulation, which proved to be much more dependable than the earlier bend.
The second change is a rise within the insulation sleeve wall thickness by 1 mm. This helps stop the thermal creep that might sometimes happen with the thinner sleeve within the present design.
We anticipate to start implementing these up to date probes as quickly as we obtain them subsequent month, and this revised design may also be used for any probe replacements going ahead.
Piston Geometry Testing
We’re nonetheless actively testing piston geometry modifications geared toward bettering puck saturation evenness. This work is ongoing and we are going to share extra as soon as testing is full.
Software program Improvement Progress
We continued testing the shorter thermocouple compensation mentioned in our earlier replace. To characterize the thermal gradient precisely, we put in each the unique size and the brand new size thermocouples in the identical boiler on the identical time. This information will enable us to offset the brand new thermocouples appropriately throughout the app.
Some machines, notably these with the brand new thermocouple, have proven a 2 to three diploma Celsius overshoot throughout warmth up. Over the previous two months, we’ve got been re-tuning our PID controller from the bottom up utilizing a primary rules method. We began with a proportional solely controller to ascertain a secure undershoot, then layered in integral management to shut the remaining hole. From there, we tuned the bang bang timing, which determines when the heater transitions from full energy to closed loop management.
The issue with our system comes from our variable setpoint based mostly on grouphead temperature. To accommodate this, we’ve developed a singular algorithm to make our PID timing additionally based mostly on this identical variation to account for variations in warmth switch charges between preliminary begin up and regular state.
We’re at the moment on the forty fourth iteration and are lastly approaching the extent of precision we’re aiming for. We plan to run further validation exams after evaluating by-product conduct earlier than releasing this replace. A significant component on this drawn out timeline is that the machine should absolutely cool between exams to make sure constant first shot circumstances.
As soon as you put in the most recent firmware (1.7.0 or greater) , anybody with serial 1220 and better has the brand new (shorter) model thermocouple probe and sure experiences their machine overshooting the goal temperature and taking a number of minutes to chill again down.
On this case, after you replace the firmware, it would be best to click on “Handle Argos” then on the backside you will note “Boiler Temp Offset”.
Click on into this and alter the quantity from 0.0 to 4.0.
After altering this, you’ll faucet the again button on the highest left and regulate your “Setpoint Offset” by including 2 to the present quantity listed (doubtless a destructive quantity for many). To alter this, you’ll have to faucet 3 occasions in a row on the present quantity to unlock.
After finishing these steps, your Argos ought to now not expertise vital overshooting. Small fluctuations are anticipated, however our testing has discovered this to indicate main enhancements within the thermal stability of all Argos machines.
IMPORTANT:
In case your serial quantity is earlier and you already know that your machine has had a thermocouple changed throughout the previous 6 months, you possibly can look into your boiler to substantiate.
Brief Thermocouple: Lengthy Thermocouple:
Anybody who doesn’t have a shorter thermocouple SHOULD NOT change both of those values listed above. Your machine will carry out higher “as is” from the brand new firmware alone. Any new machines transport out beginning subsequent week can have these modifications already carried out throughout our High quality Management Course of.
You probably have a shorter thermocouple and also you machine doesn’t overshoot the goal temperature on the primary shot, you SHOULD NOT change both of those values listed above.
For those who make the above modifications and your machine nonetheless overshoots by greater than 2 Celsius you need to add 0.5 Boiler Temp Offset then check once more. Please carry out 2 exams from a cool machine to confirm continued overshoot earlier than altering once more.
Monetary and Manufacturing Outlook
Total, 2025 was a robust yr for us, with clear progress in models shipped in comparison with prior years and measurable enhancements in high quality, mirrored in fewer guarantee repairs in newer batches.
As with most {hardware} startups, the trail to profitability is capital intensive up entrance. To speed up that path and get rid of components associated delays, we pursued a enterprise mortgage in September 2025. Sadly, the shutdown of the US authorities considerably impacted this course of, because the Small Enterprise Administration was closed for over a month. We had been in the end capable of obtain funding simply after Christmas, which has allowed us to put stock orders for the remaining machines in our backlog with out burdening money move.
The constructive consequence is that we’ve got spent This fall addressing a number of of our most difficult parts and programs. The draw back is that the funding delay did introduce some schedule influence.
As components proceed to reach over the subsequent month, we are going to hold ramping manufacturing again up and don’t anticipate any further stock associated delays for the rest of the backlog.
Thanks, as at all times, on your endurance and assist. We stay dedicated to delivering a machine that continues to enhance in reliability, usability, and longevity.
Sincerely,
Ross & William
