Connecting your roast machine
      Back to home
      1. Helpdesk : Cropster
      2. Connecting your roast machine

      Connecting your roast machine to Roasting Intelligence (RI) using a Generic Connector

      This article is relevant to users of custom roast machines who want to integrate their machines with Cropster's Roasting Intelligence (RI)

      What is a Generic Connector?


      Establishing a connection between your roast machine and Cropster is the essential first step to accessing our comprehensive suite of tools.

      If you are familiar with the communication protocol and register settings of your roast machine, you can establish a connection using one of the available Generic Connectors listed below:
      1. Generic Modbus over Network (TCP)
      2. Generic Modbus over Network (UDP)
      3. Generic Modbus over Serial port 
      4. Generic Siemens S7 over Network 

      Specifications


      Requirements 

      • USB cable, Ethernet cable, WiFi connection (depends on which Generic Connector is being used).
      • Driver for the USB serial converter in cases where USB connection is being used.

      You may need to install a specific driver based on your machine's requirements. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide detailed guidance on this at this stage of the process. 

      The necessary driver might already be included with your operating system.

      If you are connecting the roast machine with an ethernet cable directly to your computer, you will also need to set up a static IP address.

      Supported measurements

      • Bean temperature
      • Exhaust temperature 
      • Gas* 
        *Not when using the Generic Modbus over Serial port connector.

      The supported measurements are read-only. The Generic Connector doesn't support controls. 

      Roasting Intelligence 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. Enter your username and password.
        Use the same login information that you use to access the online platform C-sar.

      5. Click the Login button.

      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

      1. Add your roast machine via the online platform C-sar.
      2. 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.
      3. To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section. 
      4. After selecting the machine all supported measurements will load.
        Change the order of the measurements by using the  Drag and Drop icon and moving it into position.
      5. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select relevant Generic Connector from the dropdown for the measurements.
        💡 Make your measurement readouts more compact. Choose the size of your measurement readouts by selecting either the Small or Large view for display.
        Screenshot 2025-02-04 at 12.23.22
      6. Click on the  Gear icon to open more settings. 
      7. Fill in all the information according to the specifications of your roast machine.
      8. Click OK.
      9. Click Save to finalize the changes. 
        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 2025-02-04 at 12.19.51

        📚 Learn more about the 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?
        • Have you set up a static IP address if using an ethernet connection directly into your computer?
        • Is the correct serial port within the RI selected?
        • Are the settings copied correctly?

        Driver for the USB serial converter

        If you cannot select the correct serial port within the RI's Serial port field, your computer may not have the appropriate driver needed to recognize the serial converter's physical connection.

        Please reach out to support.cropster.com, and attach the following information in relevance to the USB serial converter used:

        • Brand, and model

        • Serial number

        • Picture of the serial converter

        • RI log files

        A Cropster representative will assess the information, and assist in providing the required driver for the USB serial converter used.

        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.

        Related content

        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.