Siemens Digital Industries Software announced today that Olympia Express, a world leader in handcrafted espresso machines, is leveraging the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to revolutionize the design and production of its renowned espresso machines. With a legacy spanning over 95 years, Olympia Express has earned a reputation for Swiss precision, robustness, and longevity, often being hailed as the best in the world. Since Schätti AG acquired the brand in 2011, they have been utilizing Siemens’ Solid Edge® software to enhance their legacy and drive innovation.

A Digital Transformation Journey

“When we took over the company, the previous owners had designed in 2D, so the data was very useful to us,” said Thomas Schätti, CEO of Olympia Express. “The decision to switch to the Siemens Xcelerator software portfolio was driven by our need for precision and efficiency. Solid Edge allows us to create highly accurate 3D models which streamline our production process from design to manufacturing, saving time and resources to be on the top of our game.”

Olympia Express has remodeled all parts of the machine in Solid Edge, creating new models and spare parts. This transition has significantly improved their design iterations and overall machine improvements. The primary benefit of 3D modeling with Solid Edge is the accelerated design process and reduced need for physical prototypes, cutting development efforts by 50% and freeing up resources for new innovation projects.

Innovation in Production

The engineering team at Olympia Express can easily model and quickly 3D print prototypes, gaining a better understanding of components in various materials. The sheet metal design and manufacturing capabilities in Solid Edge are critical to their development process. Additionally, the visualization capabilities within Solid Edge enhance internal communications, especially when servicing vintage Cremina machines that are over 50 years old. The exploded view capabilities in Solid Edge are fundamental for assembly and service documentation, making it easier to identify and replace spare parts.

To manage design and engineering data, Olympia Express relies on Siemens’ Teamcenter® software for product lifecycle management. This enables secure control of engineering data revisions and efficient design reviews. On the shop floor, they use NX™ CAM software to ensure the highest standards of production, producing high-accuracy components. “To be on the top of our game, we use NX CAM on the shop floor to guarantee excellent production quality,” Schätti explained. “We rely on Teamcenter to manage our product data and enhance collaboration across our teams, keeping all design data in one place.”

Blending Tradition with Innovation

Olympia Express, known for its legendary Cremina espresso machines, is not resting on its laurels. The company has used Solid Edge to develop Mina, a new portable espresso machine that only requires boiling water and fresh grounds. This innovation allows for high-quality espresso on the go and will be showcased at the World of Coffee event this month.

A Vision for the Future

Despite its name, Olympia Express champions the “slow foods” revolution. Schätti elaborated, “Our products make coffee to the quality of an Italian coffee bar with a machine that is a fraction of the size and cost of a professional machine. They are built like professional machines, with the same care, quality materials, and careful design. We build our machines for a small eternity – they are designed and built to last multiple lifetimes, and their use should be a celebration of making outstanding coffee.”

By leveraging Siemens Xcelerator, Olympia Express not only maintains its rich product heritage but also explores innovative and sustainable products that meet customers’ expectations for quality coffee, wherever they are.