Dolce Gusto/Krups capsule cutter

Disclaimer:

You are creating and using this device on YOUR own responsibility.

If you would like to create my crude capusule cutter, you will be working with sharp objects and hot water afterwards!

I take no responsibility for any injury you may cause to yourself or someone else working with this device!

Thank you.

Description:

Printer: Prusa Mk3S+

2-3 walls, infil cca 20%

Your printer mus be able to print tight tolerances to achieve smooth fit of the blade.

I hate when I make myself a good coffee and have to dispose of the capusules while they are still full of hot water (mainly the white ones). 

So I created a cutter, that open the plastic lid to drain the water out.

(Version 1 on the left, verison 2 on the right)

Concept:

The cutter is divided into two parts - holder and the lid. V2 lid has a handle, so that it is harder for your to burn yourself and notch for the capsule removal. Holder itself has teeth to hold the capsule from rotating and small hole on the bottom to drain any residual water.

Here you can see the inner workings of the cutter. 

What you need:

One blade from exacto knife and 2 pliers. (2 pliers are mandatory for your safety)

Use the two pliers to snap the blade in half, something like this, it could be even shorder (50% of the length is sufficent enough).

Position the blade like in picture above (you can choose what side the blade faces, this will determine cutting rotation).

Hold the blade cca 1mm above the plastic lid and push down, what worked for me was laying the lid on the table and push, 1mm at the time, untill the blade is all the way inside the slot.

Alternatively you can try to use grease or heat to soften the plastic. This will on the other hand surely stuck the blade in the lid forever.

Be extra carefull not to slip, take your time, this is the part where you could hurt yourself!

Once the lower corner of the blade is inside the slot, you are done. Shorter blade works better.

Working example:

I start by dumping the capsules directly into the sink like so. Right after that I take the holder and press downward onto the capsule, when you lift it, it should be firmly held in place by the holder.

Then I press the holder with capsule onto the lid with blade, might take a little time to find your grip. Hold the lid by the handle to avoud burning yourself with hot water. The blade pierce plastic lid and when you see, the two 3D printed parts snap into place, you can start by rotating the holder in position you see above. The water is drained from the capsule.

I usualy go full 360 to separate plastic membrane from the capsule. (if you need, just to 180-270 degree turn). I tried 90 degree turn, but the plastic membrane was closed and all water did not drain properly. But you do you.
 

Then I place holder into the sink and use handle prying tool in the slit of the holder to pry capsule out. White ones with the “milk” part should be pretty empty. So the are safe to work with immediately.
Brown ones with the ground coffee have a secondary plastic film in the middle, please do not touch it when it is hot.

Now you should have empty capusules that you can disassemble further or throw into trash without worry that they will make your trashbin full of stinky water.
 

Happy printing and enjoy your coffee!

Known issues:

Blade after 1 month is corroded too much for removal, top lid had to be sacrificed to remove it. Water from capsules or from cleaning causes the blade to corrode. From expirience no drying can help. The water will enter blade cavity and start rusting process immediately from day one.

Some grease could help with the rust, but I haven't tried it.

 - fix: working on v3 - see changelog

Changelog:

v3: in development. Blade holder change: The lid will be separed into 2 parts with friction hold of the blade. Easy removal + cleaning

• secondary goal: create friction holder for the blade, without using any additional metal hardware.

v2: Introduces handle with prying bar and slit in the “holder” to remove capsules easily.

v1: Basic capusle cutter, no handle means easy way to get burned by hot water ouring out of the capsule. (v1 not included due to possibility of burns, if you want v1, please contact me directly through printables, I will try to respond ASAP).