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      Ambex YM-models (with Watlow controller) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup (Beta)

      This manual covers the connection of an Ambex YM-model roast machine with Watlow controls to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

      This roast machine is currently in the beta stage of development at Cropster.

      Beta testing involves the evaluation of new features by a limited group of users to uncover minor issues that may not be apparent during internal testing. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the functionality of our product. Please let us know in case you come across any unexpected behavior.

      If you haven't been invited to participate in the beta program for this integration but are keen on participating and testing this new feature, please sign up here.

      We will be happy to assist in resolving any issues you may encounter or propose alternative connection options.

      Specifications


      Requirements

      On recent macOS devices, the driver may be already pre-installed with your operating system.

      Supported measurements

      • Bean temperature
      • Exhaust temperature

      Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

      1. Download RI.

      2. Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.

      3. Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.

      4. The login to Roasting Intelligence is performed through the browser via the online platform C-sar. Enter your username and password.
        💡 Use the same login information that you use to access the online platform C-sar.
        Screenshot 2025-02-24 at 13.51.46

      5. Click the Login with browser button.

      If you need to continue using the legacy login method, where credentials are entered directly into the application, please click on the Login using credentials option. You will be able to use this method until March 26, 2025. After this date, the browser login option will become the sole method for accessing the application.

      Check out the Release notes for every version of RI5 to stay updated on the latest features and improvements.

      You can access the Release notes directly in RI by clicking on Help > Release Notes.

      Establishing a connection to the machine

      The screenshots provided below serve as visual examples and may not exactly match what you see, particularly in the Machine > Controls tab.

        1. If you are setting up RI for the first time, click the Select machine button in the banner at the top or click Preferences > Machine > Configuration bottom left to access the Preferences screen. 
          📚 Learn how to use the keyboard shortcuts in RI.

        2. To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section. 
          📚 To view your roast machine in the list, make sure to add it via the online platform C-sar beforehand. 

        3. By clicking on the + Add connector option you can choose your connector from the available options in the dropdown list.

        4. You need to select Generic Modbus over serial port from the dropdown. 

        5. Click Select to add the connector.
          Screenshot 2025-02-25 at 13.19.20

           

        6. Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.

        7. To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.

        8. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select Generic Modbus over serial port from the dropdown. 
          💡 Make your measurement readouts more compact. Choose the size of your measurement readouts by selecting either the Small or Large view for display.

        9. Change the order of the measurements by using the  Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
          💡You can also customize the color of each measurement by clicking on the colorful dots on the right side of the screen.
          Screenshot 2025-02-25 at 13.57.08

        10. Navigate back to the Machine > Configuration tab and click on the gear-png-1Gear icon in the Connector setup section next to the previously added connector to open and configure more settings.

        11. Copy the settings as shown below: 
          💡 Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit according to the temperature unit displayed on the machine's temperature readouts.

          Operation system  Serial port 
          Windows  COMx
          Mac USBx
           Screenshot 2024-08-13 at 20.23.45

        12. Check the checkbox next to "Big-Endian word order (32-bit)".
        13. Click OK.
        14. Click Save to finalize the changes. 
            15. After saving the changes, RI will automatically restart. If the setup was successful, you will see the temperature values displayed on the right-hand side of the RI screen following the restart.


      Screenshot 2025-02-25 at 14.14.12

        📚 Learn how to customize your Roasting Intelligence (RI) Preferences

        Troubleshooting


        If the RI indicates No source connected and/or you cannot see any measurements, please check the following: 

        • Is the roast machine connected to the computer? 
        • Have you downloaded the driver for the USB serial converter?
        • Is the correct serial port within the RI selected?
        • On MacOS: MacOS X10.15 to MacOS 11 (this is a Beta driver release and the installer should be run from the /Applications folder on your machine)

        If you have selected a serial port from the RI, and you receive Sources connected from the bottom-right corner of the roasting application, but you can't see live temperature readouts, you may not have selected the serial port referring to the roast machine's connection.

        Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Cropster Roasting Intelligence!

        Check out the Roasting Intelligence (RI5) - Getting Started manual and enjoy tracking your first roasts! More manuals and videos can be found on help.cropster.com.