21st Century Coffee Breaks: Animo's IoT Journey with Altium

• Networks & Connectivity - Bluetooth
• Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards

• Equipment & Machinery
• Food & Beverage

• Product Research & Development

• Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
• Hardware Design & Engineering Services

Animo, a commercial coffee equipment company based in The Netherlands, has been a leader in the European commercial coffee dispensing market for over 70 years. Their products, ranging from traditional filter coffee pots to award-winning touchscreen systems, are sold in over 70 countries. However, with the increasing complexity of their designs, particularly in their OptiLine series, Animo faced challenges in developing their products. The OptiLine series, which includes the OptiVend, OptiFresh, OptiBean, and OptiMe, are designed for convenience and elegance, with features such as touchpads and the ability to yield up to 1250 cups of coffee daily. The first-generation OptiLine devices were created using freeware PCB software, but as designs became more complex, Animo began working with external firmware development houses that relied on Altium Designer. This shift to external development houses presented a challenge for Animo in terms of control and efficiency in their product development process.

Animo is a commercial coffee equipment company based in The Netherlands with over 70 years of experience in creating state-of-the-art equipment. Their product range includes traditional filter coffee pots and award-winning, state-of-the-art touchscreen systems. Animo's designs have been at the forefront of the European commercial coffee dispensing market, winning prestigious design awards such as the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award. Their products are sold in over 70 countries, bringing fine design and superior performance to breakrooms, buffets, and more. Animo's most recent series, the OptiMe, gives people the ability to craft bean-to-brew coffee and barista-quality cappuccinos, espressos, and macchiatos right from the company breakroom or coffee cart.

To overcome the challenge of developing complex designs, Animo decided to move the development of their products in-house. They chose to use Altium Designer and Altium 365, the world’s first cloud platform for PCB design and realization, to expedite the development of second-generation OptiLine machines. Altium 365 allowed Animo to work side-by-side with electrical, mechanical, and software engineers throughout the entire development cycle. This in-house development approach enabled Animo to design a new master controller, adding more functionality for customers using multiple units. Furthermore, Altium 365 inspired Animo to explore internet connectivity in their coffee machines. The next-generation of OptiLine machines will feature internet connectivity, allowing users to create coffee drinks touch-free and keep units well stocked and operating smoothly. This is achieved through Bluetooth connectivity and a custom Animo user app, enabling coffee drinkers to use their smartphones for fresh, whole bean or filter coffee hands-free.

• The use of Altium Designer and Altium 365 has allowed Animo to expedite the development of their second-generation OptiLine machines. By moving the development process in-house, Animo has gained more control over the design and development process, enabling them to add more functionality to their products. The use of Altium 365 has also inspired Animo to explore internet connectivity in their coffee machines, a previously untapped trend in the coffee industry. This has led to the development of next-generation OptiLine machines that feature internet connectivity, allowing users to create coffee drinks touch-free and keep units well stocked and operating smoothly. This innovation is expected to enhance the user experience and increase customer satisfaction.