This time last year La Marzoco AND to Mahlkön debuted Synchronization system in HOST Milan. A fresh collaboration between a coffee machine manufacturer and a grinder manufacturer has allowed their products to communicate with each other in real time and make automatic adjustments when necessary. There was a lot of buzz about this partnership, with industry leaders in two major pieces of coffee shop equipment working together to streamline workflow. And now, after a first look, Sync is ready for the world.
Announced today, November 7, in a press release, Sync will be implemented in the La Marzocco Pro app and will enable eligible equipment to connect via an “IoT data cloud.” As previously reported, La Marzocco’s IoT-enabled machines are now part of the Auto Brew Ratio (ABR) line, with options including the Linea, GB5 and KB90. For its part, the Mahlkönig E80W Grind-By-Sync can connect to the Sync system.
By pairing two machines, the coffee maker and grinder can communicate based on power output and make automatic adjustments based on the desired parameters provided. For example, you can program a shot of 20 g of espresso, which gives 40 g of the drink drunk in 30 seconds. Once the shot is drawn, the machine will monitor the total capacity and time it took, and then pass this information on to the grinder to adjust the grind to the set parameters. the grinder will also take into account the last five shots fired to create an average of the data for future adjustments.
Recipes can be changed by the barista at any time, and the equipment can also be switched to manual mode.
The duo teamed up to create something a la carte, a highly functional super-automatic machine, but one that still puts the barista in control. It does this by mimicking the manual adjustments a barista would make, while also allowing for sensory-based adjustments. If Sync sets the parameters but the shot still tastes like it could be improved, the barista can adjust the parameters accordingly and let Sync do the rest. Automation works with the barista, not replaces him.
Sync will launch today in the US and Australia and will be available via the La Marzocco Pro app. More information can be found on the official La Marzocco website.
