Espresso Knock-Box (Quart Container Compatible)

This 3D-printable knock-box is designed to fit standard quart-sized plastic containers from the supermarket. Using these containers as the bin makes it incredibly easy to swap out, clean, or replace the receptacle once it is full of coffee grounds.

Design Overview

The model consists of three parts: a main body and two protective covers. The covers are designed to be printed in TPU to absorb the impact when knocking the portafilter, protecting your equipment and dampening noise.

Printing Recommendations

Main Body: Printed successfully in PLA. Since the portafilter is usually cool enough by the time you dump the grounds, there are no major heat issues for the frame.

Covers: These must be printed in TPU. Note that the TPU covers are the parts most likely to experience heat from the basket during the knock.

Assembly Instructions (Crucial)

The TPU covers are designed with a very tight fit and the main body features angled walls, meaning they will not simply snap or slide into place.

To attach the covers, align the bar in the cover with the slots in the body. Then you must roll the lip as you seat them. Be careful as the cover might try to rotate and misalign. A helpful technique is to use a dull knife or a similar tool to carefully roll the TPU lip around the base of the frame. This opens the lip enough to allow the base to seat properly into the cover. Without rolling the lip during attachment, the angled walls will prevent the parts from joining.

Serviceability

The top cover is replaceable—if it wears out or gets damaged over time, you can reprint just that part instead of rebuilding the whole knock-box.