This manual covers the connection of a Coffeetool machine manufactured from September 2015 onwards to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.
- Specifications
- Setting up a connection
- Network settings
- Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup
- Coffeetool's Control Mode Guide
- Troubleshooting
Specifications
Requirements
- Allan Bradley PLC
- Ethernet cable
Supported measurements
- Bean temperature
- Exhaust temperature
- Burner temperature
- Airflow (%)
- Airflow control (beta)
- Gas (%)
- Gas control (beta)
- Drum speed (MHz)
- Drum speed control (beta)
The Gas, Drum speed control, and Airflow control features are currently available in beta for Coffeetool roast machines manufactured between...
- September 2015 – June 2019
- June 2021 onwards
If you haven't been invited to participate in the beta program for this integration, but you are interested in participating and testing the feature, please sign up here.
Coffeetool roast machines, manufactured between June 2019 – June 2021, are not compatible for Cropster's Control features.
Setting up a connection
There are two ways to connect your roast machine to the network:
Via the computer
- Connect the network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port
- Connect the other end to the computer's Ethernet port.
Proceed with the Network settings.
Via the network router
- Connect your network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port.
- Connect the other end to the router's Ethernet port.
- Make sure that your computer and the router are connected (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable).
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.
Network settings
When the roaster is connected to the computer directly, you need to set up a static IP address.
Static IP address configuration - Windows 7, 8, 10
- Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
or enter ncpa.cpl in the Windows search field. - On the left panel, click the Change adapter settings link.
- Identify the network adapter-icon that refers to the roast machine connection.
If you are not sure which icon refers to the roast machine, simply disconnect and reconnect the ethernet cable and check which icon changes its status. - Right-click the network adapter and select Properties.
- Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option and click the Properties button.
- Select Use the following IP Address option.
- Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
In this example the IP address of the machine is 192.168.1.200.
- IP Address: 192.168.1.42
Important: The first three blocks of the IP address need to match the IP address of your roaster, as identified via the roaster's panel - Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Leave the rest blank
- IP Address: 192.168.1.42
- Click the OK button to submit your changes.
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.
Static IP address configuration - MacOS
- Go to
> System Preferences > Network
- Identify the Network connection item that refers to the connection to your machine and select that item.
If you are not sure which icon refers to the roast machine, simply disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable and check which icon changes its status. - Open the Configure IPv4 dropdown and choose Manually.
- Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
In this example the IP address of the machine is 192.168.1.200.
- IP Address: 192.168.1.42
Important: The first three blocks of the IP address need to match the IP address of your roaster, as identified via the roaster's panel - Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Leave the rest blank
- IP Address: 192.168.1.42
- Click the Apply button to confirm the changes.
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.
Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup
Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software
- Download the Roasting Intelligence from https://download.cropster.com/
- The Cropster installer leads you through all the installation steps.
- Open the RI by double-clicking the Cropster icon on the desktop
- Enter your username and password.
They are the email address and password you were given to access your Cropster account on c-sar.cropster.com - Check the Remember credentials box if you want to be able to run the RI offline.
- Click the Login button.

Establishing a connection to the machine
- Go to Account > Preferences > Machine tab.
- Select the Roast machine you would like to connect from the drop-down menu (e.g. Coffeetool R15).
- Select Coffeetool PLC from the drop-down for all measurements.
- Click on the gear (
) icon to open more settings.
- Define the Hostname/IP address of the roast machine. The default IP address for Coffeetool roast machines is 192.168.1.200.
- Define the Hostname/IP address of the roast machine. The default IP address for Coffeetool roast machines is 192.168.1.200.
- Click Save to confirm the changes. The RI requires a restart to apply the settings.
If the setup was successful, you will be able to see temperature values on the right-hand side of the RI screen, after the restart.
Learn more about how to:
- Customize your RI user preferences
- Use Gas control and Replay assist
- Use Airflow control and Replays assist
- Use Drum speed control and Replay assist
Proceed with the Coffeetool's Control Mode.
Coffeetool's Control Mode Guide
Coffeetool's Control Modes, are only available on Coffeetool machines manufactured after June 2021.
After Coffeetool machine's software update (for machines manufactured after June 2021), from the Coffeetool's HMI touchscreen you have the ability to run the machine on two control modes. This allows you to shift the control between the Coffeetool's HMI touchscreen, and a roast-profiling software:
The control modes are...
- HMI Control Mode: The roaster receives user input commands for Gas, Airflow, and Drum speed, only from the HMI touchscreen.
- PC Control Mode: The roaster receives user input commands for Gas, Airflow, and Drum speed, only from the PC.
For the Cropster Controls integration, please set the Coffeetool's control mode to PC Control Mode, as shown below:
- Push the Settings tab on the top of the HMI touchscreen. By default, the Coffeetool roast machine is set to HMI Control Mode.
If the HMI Control Mode button is highlighted as GREEN, then it is enabled. - Tap the PC Control Mode button, to enable it for Cropster's Control features.
If the PC Control Mode button is highlighted as RED, then it is enabled.
Note: When you switch from PC Mode to HMI Mode, the variables are initialized to 50%.
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 network (router or computer)?
- If the roaster is connected to the computer directly, is the static IP address configured correctly?
- Does the IP address assigned to the roast machine match the default?
- Have you set the HMI touchscreen to "PC Control Mode"?
For further assistance, please create a support ticket by clicking the Support button in the left lower corner of the app. A Cropster support rep will get in touch with you.
Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Cropster Roasting Intelligence!
Check out our Getting started video and enjoy tracking your first roasts!
More manuals and videos can be found on help.cropster.com