Ernesto Valente

The Ghost of Faema: Unearthing the Emi Heritage In the mid-20th century, the espresso industry saw a brief, enigmatic blip: Emi (Espresso Machines Incorporated). Operating as a sister company to the legendary Faema, Emi utilized patents from Ernesto Valente to produce more accessible versions of high-end hardware. Because few archives remain, these machines are relics of a forgotten era. The Emi Ariete stands as a crown jewel of this period, particularly since it utilizes the iconic E61 group head—the very technology that redefined espresso extraction in 1961. Reclaiming 1960s Engineering Restoring a 1964 Ariete is not a simple task of polishing chrome. It requires invasive engineering. During the collaboration with Dr. Beer, the team faced immediate hardware failure, including seizing screws that necessitated drilling and re-tapping the boiler mounts. The goal was a "mirror finish" rather than just functional cleanliness. This involved sandblasting the frame and sanding the metal panels until they achieved a reflective quality that likely surpassed the original factory standards. To preserve the raw aesthetics of the brass components, they used Everbrite, a specialized coating that prevents oxidation without the need for traditional chrome plating. The Gear Pump Revolution While the exterior pays homage to 1964, the interior is pure modern innovation. A standard E61 machine usually relies on a vibratory or rotary pump at a fixed pressure. This restoration integrates a Fluid-o-Tech gear pump, enabling real-time pressure profiling. Guided by Jake G, the team programmed the pump to be controlled via a custom potentiometer—humorously labeled "Pompa." This allows the user to manipulate the pressure curve manually, facilitating advanced techniques like blooming shots and lever-style pressure decay that were impossible on the original hardware. Functional Art and Future Proofing Customization defines this build. Dr. Beer crafted bespoke wood accents for the steam knobs and a custom-contoured portafilter handle to replace the ruined original. Even the missing cup warmer was re-engineered from scratch to ensure every knob on the top plate served a purpose. By outfitting the group with an IMS shower screen and VST baskets, the machine bridges the gap between vintage soul and modern extraction precision. It remains a functional piece of history, proving that with enough engineering expertise, even a "dead" machine can outperform contemporary flagships.