Coffee and Measurement Technology

What does a great cup of coffee have to do with measurement technology? Continuously monitoring key measurement values can help achieve the perfect aroma and the right temperature for the coffee. At Sensor+Test 2026, Ahlborn’s booth featured a coffee machine to demonstrate some of the applications of ALMEMO® measurement technology. This way, visitors to the trade fair were served not only their coffee but also the corresponding measurement values, steaming hot.

Here’s how it works: A standard coffee machine was equipped with sensors. They measured power, temperature, flow, and pressure at the corresponding components of the machine. The sensors were connected to the ALMEMO® 710 data logger via intelligent ALMEMO® connectors. All measured values could be read out in real time on the data logger’s display while the coffee was being brewed.

Connected Measurement Technology in Detail:

1. Fast Digital Power Measurement Module ZED737AB53 Connected to the machine’s main power supply. For measuring current, voltage, active power, frequency, and power factor cosφ at 1,000 measurements per second.
2. Pt100 temperature sensor FP0802 and measurement connector ZPD700FS For measuring the temperature at the brewing unit.
3. Pressure sensor with 4–20 mA output (example sensor) Easily integrated and scaled using an ALMEMO® input connector. For measuring brewing pressure.
4. Frequency adapter cable ZA9909AK1U Connected to the flow sensor in the machine, which generates a pulse every 0.5194 g. For measuring flow rate in ml/s (configured with conversion).
5. ALMEMO® 710 data logger Stores all measured values and displays them clearly on a touchscreen.

The ALMEMO® 710 universal data logger records all measured values, peak values, average values, and limit values, and displays them in a structured format as a list, bar chart, or line graph. Operation is convenient via the touchscreen. Sensors for any measurement parameters can be connected to the 10 measurement inputs, e.g., temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure, force, displacement, vibration, speed, flow, electrical parameters, sensors for building physics, meteorology, optical radiation, water analysis, or gas concentration.

For analysis on a PC, the measurement data is stored in an 8 MB flash memory, which can also be configured as a ring buffer. If needed, external storage can be easily added via a microSD card.

WinControl Measurement Software

Via a wireless connection, the coffee machine's measurement values can be sent to the WinControl software for analysis and logging. Among other features, this software allows all data to be visualized in real time as a project image.

The WinControl program was developed specifically for data acquisition and processing with ALMEMO® measuring instruments. It enables convenient programming and operation of the devices. The acquired measurement values can be displayed, mathematically processed, saved, printed, and exported to other programs for further processing. It is possible to derive alarm conditions from the acquired or calculated values and to implement control functions. The Windows interface and context-sensitive online help ensure quick familiarization with and confident operation of the program. Numerous wizards are available as options for specific measurement tasks.

Using the coffee machine as an example, ALMEMO® measurement technology is explained visually in a new way. But that’s not all - the ALMEMO® system can do much more. Our wide range of sensors covers every common measurement parameter, and we can also implement custom solutions using third-party sensors.