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      Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast detection (beta)

      In this article you will learn how to enable Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast detection in Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

      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.

      Beta means that the features are being tested with a select group of users to help us identify minor flaws under everyday conditions that we cannot reproduce internally. Therefore, it will be necessary that you share feedback with us and let us know whenever you come across some unexpected behavior.

      As this is a Beta feature, we recommend to first try doing a test roast without beans. Once you find that the start and stop events are detected reliably, proceed with production roasts. In the event that the roast does not start/stop automatically, you can still start/stop it manually by pressing the "Start" or "Stop" button.

      How does the auto-start and end of roast feature work?

      The Roasting Intelligence (RI) can detect certain machine-based events, triggering the start of the roast, without needing to click the Start button. On the other hand, the RI can also detect certain machine-based events associated with the end of a roast, thus triggering the end of the roast, without needing to click the Stop button This allows you to have a more precise start and end of roast. With the new feature, we read out the commands directly from the roast machine, which makes the detection more precise. Please note that the machine-based events vary depending on roast machine, therefore, please refer to the machine types below to see the relevant machine-based events for your roast machine.

      For Loring roast machines:

      The roast start is triggered once the roast machine's hopper is opened, and the roast end is triggered once the roast emissions door is opened, thus releasing the roasted beans into the cooling tray.

      For Atilla Gold Plus & Automation, and Atilla Gold Plus & Automation RE roast machines:

      The roast start is triggered when charging the green coffee beans, and the roast end is triggered once the desired end roast temperature is reached.

      For Neuhaus Neotec RFB Junior/RFB-S and NEOROAST roast machines:

      The roast start is triggered by the start of the filling process of the green coffee beans, and the roast end is triggered by the start of the emptying process of the roasted coffee beans.

      For Stronghold S7Pro roast machines:

      The roast start is triggered when the machine switches from the "Inlet open" phase to the "Roasting" phase, and the roast end is triggered when the machine switches from the "Roasting" phase to the "Release" phase.

       

      Requirements

      To use the Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast, the following requirements need to be met:

      • Roasting Intelligence (RI) version 4.16-beta-5 and higher
      • One of the following machines and corresponding connectors:
        • Loring roaster (Loring PLC connector) with software version 2.x. The software version can be found in the "System" screen of the roaster's panel.
        • Atilla Gold Plus roaster (Atilla Gold Plus & Automation, and Atilla Gold Plus & Automation RE connectors)
        • Neuhaus Neotec roaster (Neuhaus Neotec PLC connector)
        • Stronghold S7Pro roaster (Stronghold PLC connector)

      Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

      1. Download the Roasting Intelligence from download-beta.cropster.com
      2. The Cropster installer leads you through all the installation steps.
      3. Open the RI by double-clicking the Cropster icon on the desktop.
      4. Enter your username and password.
        The username is the email address your Cropster invitation has been sent to, and use the password you've generated when accepting the invitation.
      5. Check the Remember credentials box if you want to be able to run the RI offline.
      6. Click the Login button.

      Enabling the auto-start and end of roast feature 

      Once you have the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Beta version application installed and a connection has been established with your roast machine:

      1. In the Upper left corner of the RI, click on Account and then Preferences.
      2. Under the Machines tab, select your machine and make sure that the relevant connector associated with your machine is selected (refer to requirements to see more about compatible machines/connectors) .
        Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 16.06.31
      3. Certain machines require you to select a machine version:

        • If your machine is an Atilla Gold Plus roaster: Click the gear icon next to the connector dropdown. In the connector settings, select the software version of your Atilla Gold Plus roaster
          *Atilla Gold Plus & Automation Or Atilla Gold Plus & Automation RE.
          Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 15.59.42
        • If your machine is an Neuhaus Neotec roaster: Click the gear icon next to the connector dropdown. In the connector settings, select the software version of your Neuhaus Neotec roaster.
          *RFB Junior/RFB-S Or NEOROAST
          Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 15.59.32
      4. Under the General  tab, navigate down to Smart detection and check the Start and end of roast checkbox.
        • Select Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast.
          *The text relating to the Auto-start/Stop feature differs depending on roaster type. Therefore, simply select the first option under the Smart detection: Start and end of a roast checkbox (as seen in screenshot below).
        Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 16.04.36
      5. Click Save to save the preferences and then restart the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Beta application.
      6. In the Pre-Roasting screen, after you have selected a Profile and Green Inventory for the roast, and once the roaster is connected and the "Auto-start ready..." text is displayed in the lower left corner of the window, the roast should start automatically when opening the hopper and stop automatically when the emission door is opened. The RI will switch back to the start screen immediately, there is no post-roast screen for editing the roast details.

      Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 16.03.53

      In case the roast does not start/stop automatically, you can still start/stop it manually by pressing the Start or Stop button at all times.

       
      Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 16.05.42

      Machine-specific text: The Auto-start ready text may differ depending on your machine.

      Therefore, look for the words Auto-start ready in order to determine if the machine is set up correctly and is ready. If there is additional text, it is usually as a prompt for you to perform an action. If the auto-start feature isn't ready, the additional text will point out what the issue is (e.g. No Green Inventory or Profile selected, weight selected is more than the machine's capacity, etc).

      Troubleshooting

      If you cannot see the feature enabled, please check the following: 

      • Is your machine and connector compatible with the Auto-start and end of roast feature?
      • Is the correct connector selected for your machine?
      • Is the Start and end of roast checkbox checked for Smart Detection under the General tab?
      • Is the Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast checkbox checked under the Start and end of roast checkbox? (first option)
      • Have you checked that a Profile and Green Inventory have been selected, as well as a correct weight?

      Congratulations! You have successfully set up Machine event-based auto-start and end of roast!

      Your opinion matters. If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please feel free to reach out by submitting a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.