Prototyping a Coffee Grinder Silencer

[@austinconnor9375]

Thank you all for all of your comments, suggestions and feedback. This is really encouraging and exciting to see the interest in making the coffee grinding experience quieter. Now that we have shown that it is technically possible to reduce the noise, we now are challenged to create a simple and effective user experience. In general, there should be access for adding beans to a hopper, adjusting grind settings, removing ground coffee, switches and turning knobs, and power. We hope to address these challenges as this project progresses. Stay tuned

[@cbjameson]

1) need to investigate the source of the sound. 2) drill a lot of holes part-way into the interior of the wood to absorb more sound 3) add a noise cancelling system (prototype it from noise canceling head phones?) 4) create a sound reduction goal: as quiet as a ? 5) add a way to start the grinder with the door closed (depends on how the coffee grinder is operated). Tks.

[@ulrichkalber9039]

i like the clear door, i wonder if that could be made a little more soundproof, the most extreme way might be two layers with a vacuum between, but a softer plastic might already give an advantage.

[@bosna737]

Could the styrofoam usually used to transport a product, like the coffee grinder, be repurposed as an sound insulating material?

[@lorettawatson6323]

I believe the wood cases would be even better if lined with a layer of memory foam to absorb sound, which now just bounces around.

[@austinconnor9375]

yea this definitely would help dampen the sound waves

[@Woody65sbrown1]

I like the design with the wooden body and the acrylic door. I'm looking at my grinder and amd wondering how to get the very thick power cord out of the back to plug into the wall plug. If the opening is small to reduce noise, it might be difficult to get my plug out. If it's large, extra noise escapes. I don't think you've addressed that in your prototypes yet

[@yamineepatel6790]

TIM!

[@arw1428]

I liked the round version with the door that slides, I did like seeing the grinder if it is left where everyone can see but would not be a a sales breaker for me if door is solid. How about using wood veneer on sheet metal or the acrylic (or some kind of light sturdy material) and sandwich your sound deadening product material between the 2 layers. possible a spray foam insulation used in the housing industry.

[@theraque1]

Merecats in the Amazon rainforest? Lol. Cervals eat the coffee. Not merecats.

[@austinconnor9375]

Whoops.

[@icowrich]

It seems to me that you'd want insulation that remain on at all steps of grinding (including flipping the on/off toggle switch). Obviously, you'll lose some sound reduction ability by doing what I'm about to suggest, but I think it's worth it if you can put insulation on the sides and back without blocking the front.

[@tirningirl]

I use an old fashioned hand crank grinder. Problem solved.

[@austinconnor9375]

But does it still make noise?

[@BasicPsychology101]

LOL, it's not old fashion if it's still widely used.

[@trexinvert]

3:44 Hey Austin, double wall that acrylic door and you got a winner: a.) Get back on the cad and model a 2nd acrylic wall. b.) Offset the 2nd acrylic wall 1/8" inwards and dimension vertical height to sit on surface of platform(not in groove). c.) Order some 1/8" thk double stick foam(mcm#76545A95) to assemble the double wall window. d.) Done. Now turn on grinder, close the door, and test db level. Winner! e.) Finally, dark stain the wood parts, and I will buy that from you.

[@BasicPsychology101]

Most coffee lover are generally environmentally conscientious, so I'd recommend hallowed, biodegradable styrofoam or cardboard for the walls, base and top. Although wood for the outer frame will have minimal impact on sound vibration, it will at least make the box durable. Swinging hinge door design is best so it can close against acoustic lining... Double walled, air vacuumed, glass is easy to acquire from window manufacturers. They should offer door replacements if they break. A non-flammable coating will need to be sprayed inside the box.

[@BasicPsychology101]

For anyone else who is lazy -just buy a sound dampening blanket and drape it over the top. Drape it in a way that it makes a "tent", you want air to circulate or the motor will fry.

[@trexinvert]

@@BasicPsychology101 You know I got a "silent" grinder a few years ago. You snooze you loose, I guess. Number 1 rule of engr, if you can buy it get it. Like a fastener. However, build on top of available devices to do more.

[@kata7628]

I don’t really need to see the coffee while it’s grinding - the solid wood box is 1) simpler to build 2) cheaper to build and 3) works better.

[@deaththink]

how do you press the on button?

[@foodhope7313]

Where can i buy these?

[@kingmidas430]

Is this still being worked on or was it scrapped?

[@Firstbuild]

Most ideas never make it out of the prototype stage. There might still be something here but currently we aren't working on it.

[@amv7414]

love it

[@jamesvandamme7786]

Grab the nearest oven mitt and slip over the grinder. Problem solved.

[@mkegadgets4380]

Why don’t you make the motor more quieter, sound insulation dampening the vibration. Higher quality armature higher quality Bearings...

[@theJonnymac]

I have a very nice coffee grinder where they did this exactly. very little motor noise, and the noise from the actual grinder section is where a majority noise is coming from. its still pretty loud.

[@austinconnor9375]

@@theJonnymac Yea Ive also noticed a considerable amount of noise coming from the hopper and from crushing of the beans.

[@icowrich]

@@theJonnymac I've noticed the single dose hopper that Baratza sells as an add-on makes it a big quieter. It's almost rubbery in texture, which can be sound absorbing. And the lid sort of seals around the hopper, which also muffles sound.

[@deaththink]

heat and durability, raise costs too.

[@mattnky81]

Why not do it in a vacuum box? Sound cant travel if theres no air! Also better for the coffee.

[@theJonnymac]

vacuum pumps are crazy loud

[@mattnky81]

@@theJonnymac they dont have to be. Heck, you could have a hand pump that removed the air for that matter.

[@austinconnor9375]

I thought about this too but then remembered what happens to water vapor in a vacuum, it boils. Im sad because this sounds cool

[@fatboi10180]

Im so proud a coffee grinder silencer

[@Firstbuild]

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