Spring 2021
Rethinking the E61 Lever
The E61 group traditionally uses a simple binary control: up engages the pump, down stops the shot. I explored how this familiar mechanical interface could become a richer, more expressive input device. This unlocked new forms of user control without altering the iconic design.
Analog Lever Mapping: Continuous Pressure Control
Using a linear potentiometer positioned against the lever’s cam profile, I captured the lever’s angle in real time. This analog signal was mapped directly to pump pressure, effectively turning the lever into a continuous control surface.
The lever angle becomes a live pressure input
The cam geometry provides a natural, ergonomic modulation curve
The user gains fine‑grained, intuitive control over extraction pressure
This prototype demonstrated that the E61 lever can serve as a surprisingly expressive analog interface, blending mechanical familiarity with digital precision.
Synesso-Style Ramping Pressure Profile
I prototyped a “toggle‑based” interaction model that transforms the lever from a binary switch into a step‑based controller.
Lifting the lever initiates the extraction at a baseline pressure
Briefly toggling the lever up/down advances the system to the next programmed pressure level
The user can “step” through several stages during the shot, creating a semi‑manual pressure profile
Lowering the lever fully ends the extraction
This approach preserves the tactile feel of the E61 lever while introducing a new layer of intentionality: letting the barista shape the shot dynamically without requiring a full manual paddle system.