Evaluation & Recommendations

Evaluation

To first assess the concept created the requirements list was used using a scale from 1-5 on how well the concept fulfilled the requirement. 

• Machine score: 82 out of 110

• Capsule score: 32 out of 50

This highlighted some main aspects that could be improved. For the machine the lower scores were related to environmental regulations regarding disposal, as it was not an aspect evaluated with detail during the scope of the project. Another point would be conveying the brand image through the shape, which could have been slightly more evident in the design, and the user experience could have been analyzed in more detail as an important design aspect.

For the capsules, the majority of low scores was related to the material properties and selection. Based on this, it is clear that the current material is not ideal and that a new selection would have to be carried for the capsules.

Recommendations

Based on the evaluation, some improving points could be suggested:

• Capsule material: One of the main aspects to be considered in a future version of the model would be a different material for the coffee capsules. Currently they are made from PMMA, since a plastic would be required to reach the desired shape. A better material would have been aluminum, for instance, as it is more recyclable, has better food-preserving qualities and presents an idea of higher quality coffee. The major problem with aluminum was finding a process to create the capsules. For this, the shape would have to be further explored to reach one that could be formed in aluminum.

• Capsule design: The capsule design could also be improved in order to reach an optimized version of it that saved as much material as possible. For this multiple iterations would have to be carried regarding wall thickness and geometry. By changing the material some physical properties would also change, which makes it necessary to adapt the capsule design accordingly.

• Sliding mechanism: On the machine design, an easier mechanism for sliding the capsules forward could be created to make it more accessible to the user. Currently the top lid has to be opened and the capsules manually slided forward, which is not fully practical. A side mechanism on the outside of the machine could be added to do that without opening the machine, which would improve the user experience.