#programming #internals #CAD #R&D #overview
This overview post covers the engineering philosophy behind our internal components, emphasizing field-serviceability and long-term support. We focus on standardized parts and robust programming to ensure machines remain upgradable. By documenting our R&D, we aim to provide transparency into how we balance high-performance espresso with sustainable, repairable hardware.
Source: New vs old: what goes on inside
We're simplifying the DE1's internal manifold, moving from three CNC-machined parts to a single unified design. This reduces assembly time, eliminates nine tubes, and improves serviceability. The new manifold remains 100% backward compatible, ensuring older machines can benefit from our ongoing efforts to decrease manufacturing complexity and cost.
Source: Steaming in two stages
New firmware enhances steam power by preheating water using the espresso heater before it reaches the steam heater. This "two-stage" process doubles the effective heating length, increasing pressure from 2 bar to over 3 bar. The update is free for all DE1 owners, including original v1.0 machines.
Source: R&D fluid dynamic simulation of next-gen mixing chamber
We're using fluid dynamic simulations to engineer a new hot water mixing system. By condensing three parts into one and removing eight tubes, this unified design reduces complexity and cost. These computer models identify turbulence issues early, ensuring superior temperature stability and extraction consistency before physical prototyping begins.
Source: New steam wand connection
We've upgraded to a custom steam wand with an integrated clip connector, eliminating the need for threaded adapters. This design reduces heat loss and potential leaks while making installation easier. It's fully backward-compatible with all DE1 models, utilizing heat-resistant, scale-resistant Teflon tubing for long-term reliability.
Source: New: prettier back panels
We've upgraded our DE1 back panels to a thicker, opaque matte plastic for a superior color match with the metal chassis. This change eliminates internal components showing through the white panels. These are available as a low-cost or free upgrade for existing customers when ordering other accessories.
Source: New steam wand tools
We've redesigned our steam wand wrenches to be lighter and multifunctional. These custom tools now allow you to change wands, tighten ball joints, and remove tips for cleaning. They are included with XL upgrade kits or available to existing owners upon request to ensure easy maintenance without heavy shipping costs.
Source: Decent Espresso CAD files
We provide free CAD files for all Decent Espresso models, including OnShape versions for easy, web-based access. These files allow the community to design custom accessories, plan counter space, and explore the machine's internals, reflecting our commitment to open-source hardware and collaborative innovation.
Source: Decent Cup Holder: concept drawings
We are developing a minimalist cup holder for Decent machines. The current design anchors to the tablet stand with removable wire supports, ensuring the machine remains portable and fits in its suitcase. This R&D project balances aesthetics with mechanical stability for both the DE1 and upcoming Bengle models.
Source: Locking the tablet?
We're redesigning the tablet stand to use a spring-loaded slide-in mechanism instead of screws, making disassembly faster for travel. We are currently evaluating whether to include a theft-deterrent lock for café environments that would require removing the machine's main cover to release the tablet.
Source: Idea: rear panel to hide DE1XL cables?
We've developed a magnetic lower back panel to hide cables and tubes on tabletop DE1XL setups. Using eight magnets for a secure, glue-reinforced fit, this $40 accessory provides a cleaner aesthetic for machines not countersunk into a bench, effectively concealing the plumbing and power lines.
Source: Bike Helmet Foam for your Decent
We are developing new machine suitcase inserts using high-end Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), the same impact-resistant foam found in bike helmets. This $24,000 molding project aims to further reduce shipping damage from 2.3% to near zero. The ultra-strong, non-compressing foam is designed to be backward-compatible with existing Decent suitcases.
Source: Why no 3 way valve
We replace the traditional 3-way valve with a "forward flush" system to solve a major flavor and hygiene problem. In a standard machine, one tube handles both clean water in and dirty water out, which eventually coats the internals with rancid coffee oils.
By using separate paths, we ensure that dirty backflow never touches the clean water supply. This design results in a cleaner-tasting espresso and significantly reduces the need for chemical backflushing.
Source: From Render, to real
We are testing laser-etching art onto machine chassis using a new in-house machine. By varying laser power, speed, and angles, we've achieved high-contrast, latte-colored effects on aluminum. We're moving from digital renders to full-scale physical tests to offer custom aesthetic designs to our customers.
Source: Better water dispersion onto the coffee puck
We've redesigned our water dispersion system to eliminate "jetting" that causes channeling. By using fluid dynamic simulations, we developed a diverter that spreads water evenly across the puck. This ensures uniform extraction and higher TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), even with challenging light-roast coffees and high-pressure profiles.
Source: Perfectly calibrating Decent flow measurements
We've improved DE1 flow accuracy by pre-calibrating machines for the specific voltage and frequency of their destination country. While Bluetooth scales allow manual tuning, our new factory table automates this for complex regions like Japan or South Korea, ensuring precise flow-rate estimation and better "out-of-the-box" consistency for every user.
Source: Solid Resin Handles
We've switched our black machine handles from painted wood to solid resin. Unlike wood, which can chip or crack under heat and moisture, this resin provides the durable feel of piano keys. It's an "all-weather" upgrade that maintains its premium matte-black finish and structural integrity over years of heavy use.
Source: Improving the humble espresso gasket
We've overhauled the standard group head gasket to improve maintenance and longevity. Our new design uses durable, light-grey silicone to make coffee residue visible and includes a notch for easier removal with our custom tool. Each gasket also features "UP" branding to ensure a perfect, leak-free installation every time.
Source: Improving Heater Insulation and the new-DE1-smell
We've eliminated the "new machine smell" by switching to a starch-free fiberglass binder. Additionally, we are introducing insulating "socks" for heater connectors to further boost energy efficiency. These upgrades reduce thermal leakage and will be standard in v1.44, with retrofits available for existing owners.
Source: Home-friendly colors for Decent?
In-house artist Harris is leading our exploration into home-friendly DE1 colors. By analyzing contemporary kitchen trends, we've developed four new powder-coat options. We are producing a limited run of ten machines per color to test market interest and find the best aesthetic fit for modern home environments.
Source: Designing the V2 Grouphead parts
We've completely redesigned our group head to achieve more uniform extraction. By moving from brass to PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide), we've improved thermal stability and cleanliness. Our new design features outside-preferential water flow and adjustable headspace compatibility, ensuring higher flavor clarity and consistency for every shot.
Source: Our chassis supplier just sent us this photo of the 4 colors we're trialing
Our chassis supplier has delivered prototypes for four trial colors. We've ordered a limited run of ten units per color, split between DE1Pro and DE1XL/XXL models. We will build these to order to ensure correct voltage and model specifications while testing market demand for these new aesthetic options.
Source: Real colors
Final production versions of our four new chassis colors—Sky Blue, Seafoam Green, Salmon Pink, and Slate Grey—are now official. We've moved beyond prototypes to real, powder-coated machines. These are available for new orders or as retrofit kits for existing owners, bringing a fresh, home-friendly aesthetic to the DE1.
Source: Now available: custom laser etched DE1XL back panels
Custom laser-etched back panels are now available for DE1XL/XXL models. For $99, we'll optimize your logo for a unique "coffee-brown" or "brass" finish on black plastic. Currently exclusive to black panels, this service offers a professional, branded aesthetic for cafes and dedicated home setups.
Source: My Decent-gripes-and-wishlist reply on Home Barista
Responding to community feedback on Home-Barista, we've addressed key DE1 "gripes." We've firmly rejected plastic water tanks for ceramic to avoid leaching and aging, while planning a move toward ceramic-coated aluminum for durability. Other improvements include a "wattage divider" for gentler steaming and enhanced software consistency stats.
Source: Laser etched Latte Art
We've introduced permanent laser-etched patterns for our machine covers. Options include a "latte art" array and a subtle "X-ray" internal view. By fine-tuning laser speed and power, we achieve a durable, high-contrast finish directly on the powder-coated chassis, offering unique, professional-grade customization for home and cafe setups.
Source: Comparing metal and plastic espresso mirrors
We're weighing the pros and cons of plastic versus stainless steel espresso mirrors. While plastic offers superior optical clarity for monitoring shots, stainless steel is significantly more durable and magnetic. This allows for easy, tape-free removal and cleaning, making it a more practical, albeit slightly darker, long-term solution.
Source: Dead tablets, brought back to life
We've launched a reconditioning program for tablets with swollen batteries. By removing the battery and installing our custom "battery-free" circuit, we've brought 30% of previously dead units back to life. These sustainable, reliable tablets are now available as a no-cost option for new machines or as standalone accessories.
Source: Video: Make better coffee with Decent's new and improved group head parts
Our new PPS group head parts replace traditional brass to improve temperature accuracy and water distribution. We've designed these to resist coffee oils, reduce channeling, and eliminate zinc leaching. This easy self-install upgrade is compatible with all DE1 models, bringing every machine up to our latest E61-standard headspace.
Source: Programmer's overview of Decent
We've built our machine around Tcl/Tk, prioritizing high-speed UI responsiveness and cross-platform flexibility over modern bloat. Open-sourced on GitHub, the app allows for custom skins and deep shot programming. While Bluetooth remains our biggest technical hurdle, this "software-first" architecture transforms espresso from a hard-wired process into a scientific experiment.
Source: Coding for coffee: a programmer shares his insights of writing espresso applications
Moving from enterprise software to espresso, we've found that high-frequency data is the ultimate teacher. Our Tcl/Tk codebase prioritizes real-time responsiveness over modern bloat, enabling the live flow and pressure graphing that defines the DE1.
Source: Video : Decent Inside: how our espresso machine works
Ever wondered how an espresso machine can hit 0.3°C temperature accuracy without a traditional boiler?
Most machines rely on a massive hunk of hot metal to stay stable, but we took the opposite approach. In our latest deep-dive video, we strip off the chassis to show you the "Decent Inside"—a high-tech plumbing miracle that replaces 100-year-old boiler tech with real-time water mixing.
Source: Four new colors, for new and existing DE1 owners
We've officially launched four new colors—Sky Blue, Seafoam Green, Salmon Pink, and Slate Grey. These aren't just for new buyers; we're offering them as affordable retrofit kits so existing owners can refresh their setups. Each machine is powder-coated for durability, bringing a softer, home-friendly aesthetic to our lineup.
Source: New: headspace reduction kit, with surprising refractometer results
Testing our new headspace reduction kit revealed a surprising increase in extraction yield for shorter, traditional shots. By reducing the gap above the puck by 2mm, we've improved puck integrity and minimized channeling. This creates a denser, more viscous espresso, perfectly emulating the thick, classic mouthfeel of vintage lever machines.
Source: New Decent colors
Selecting a Decent Espresso machine now includes a vibrant palette of color options. We've produced 360-degree videos for every model-color combination, allowing you to visualize the real-world finish. Through our customization tool, we offer 24 adjustable features—from wood types to specific suitcase accessories—to tailor your machine perfectly.
Source: Stainless steel group in 2024
Transitioning to a stainless steel group head for v1.46 (2024) allows us to optimize manufacturing costs and ensure lead-free safety. By adopting "thick film" heaters and reducing thermal mass, we maintain our signature 4.5-minute warm-up time despite stainless steel's lower thermal conductivity compared to traditional brass.
Source: Freckles Shower Screen for your espresso machine, slow motion video
We've introduced the "Freckles" shower screen, a custom design featuring 1,000 densely placed holes for exceptionally even water distribution. This high hole count provides redundancy against clogging in busy environments. Compatible with any IMS CI200-standard machine, it ensures consistent puck saturation and improved extraction for professional-grade espresso.
Source: How we measured espresso shower screen water distribution, and improved it
Using a custom 3D-printed "Flowtafilter" rig, we quantified exactly how water spreads across a puck. Our research revealed that standard screens tend to "jet" water unevenly. To fix this, we developed the Dimples and Freckles screens, which use strategically placed low points to ensure uniform saturation even at low flow rates.
Source: Hide DE1XL cables and tubes with this back panel
Elevate your countertop aesthetics with our new DE1XL back panel, designed to conceal unsightly power cables and plumbing tubes. This color-matched, slide-in solution ensures a sleek, professional look from 360 degrees—perfect for open-concept kitchens or cafes where the rear of the machine faces your guests.
Source: New Decent design of drip tray covers and draining-on-the-side drip trays
Our updated drip tray design introduces welded centering bars for increased stiffness and perfect cup alignment. A new side-draining option allows for scales to be tucked underneath, while improved metal fittings ensure a leak-proof, secure connection. These precision-molded upgrades are compatible with all DE1 models.
Source: Now in beta: USBC adaptor for DE1
We've introduced a beta USB-C adaptor for the DE1, providing a wired alternative to Bluetooth. This plug-and-play modification allows upcoming apps like Streamline to connect directly to the machine and the Half Decent Scale, ensuring a more stable, interference-free data connection for precision shot tracking and control.
Source: Streamline App from Decent Espresso, "developer preview" version
Streamline is our next-generation, open-source JavaScript app for DE1 machines, supporting Android, iOS, and desktop. This "developer preview" introduces a stable bridge for Bluetooth or USB-C connectivity. It features a simplified "Baseline" UI for families and a highly extensible architecture, eventually replacing the current Tcl-based app.
Source: Newly revised DE1 Drip Trays
Redesigned for better workflow, our new drip trays feature vertical centering bars for cup stability and a side-drain option to accommodate Bluetooth scales underneath. Precision-molded ceramic and multi-gasket stainless steel fittings ensure a leak-proof connection. These improvements are backwards-compatible and available for all DE1 models.