Plug&Play connectors
      Back to home
      1. Helpdesk : Cropster
      2. Connecting your roast machine
      3. Plug&Play connectors

      IMF Control Integration - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup (beta)

      This manual covers the connection to IMF roast machines with control capabilities 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

      • Ethernet cable

      Supported measurements

      • Bean temperature (°)

      • Burner temperature (°)
      • Inlet temperature [°]

      • Set temperature control (refers to Inlet set temperature) [°]

      • Custom (refers to Vortex) [%]

      • Custom control (refers to Vortex control) [%]

      • Airflow [%]

      • Airflow control

      • Drum speed [%]

      • Drum speed control 

      Software version:

      In order to be able to use the IMF control integration, your IMF roaster requires a recent software version.

      IMF roasters manufactured from March 2023 onward should already be equipped with the required software version. If your IMF roaster was manufactured before March 2023, its software needs to be updated. The software update can be requested at IMF and includes a fee.

      Setting up a connection

      Via the computer 

      Screenshot 2024-09-26 at 13.42.40

      1. Connect the network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port 
      2. Connect the other end to the computer's Ethernet port.
      3. Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

      Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

      1. Download the custom version of Roasting Intelligence depending on your computer's Operating System here.

      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. 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. 

        💡 After selecting the machine from the dropdown menu, the roast machine settings may automatically be filled in. You have the flexibility to edit these settings at any time to ensure they align with the specifications of your roasting machine. 

        📚 Learn how to add a new roast machine. 
      3. 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.
      4. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select IMF PLC 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.  
        Screenshot 2024-08-23 at 13.16.46
      5. Click on the Gear icon to open the PID settings.
        Default hostname/IP address: 192.168.2.32
        Legacy: Disable
        Temperature unit: select the unit (Celsius or Fahrenheit) shown on the IMF HMI screen.
      6. Click OK.
      7. Click Save to confirm the changes.
      RI will automatically restart after saving the changes. 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.

      Screenshot 2024-10-24 at 15.58.33

      Control and Cropster Replay: In order to be able to use Cropster's control sliders with your IMF roaster, control needs to be enabled in the settings on your roaster's HMI screen:

      • Press the gear icon and the right arrow to get to the 2nd page of the settings screen

      • Enable the setting "Cropster - Enable Roasting"

      • Disable the setting "Cropster - Burner (0 = IMF; 1=CROPSTER)", as controlling the burner set temperature is currently not supported by the IMF integration for Cropster.

      Please note that controlling Set temperature, Vortex, Airflow and Drum speed using Cropster Roasting Intelligence is only possible if the roaster is in roasting phase.

      Between batches the roaster needs to be controlled using the roaster's HMI screen. The control sliders in Cropster Roasting Intelligence are not effective between batches and do not reflect the control values set on the roaster's HMI screen.

       

      There are two ways to control the inlet temperature of the roaster using Cropster:

      • If the “Auto” toggle on the control slider is disabled, the opening of the mixing valve (Vortex) can be controlled directly in the range 0-100%.

      • If the “Auto” toggle on the control slider is enabled, the set temperature of the roaster’s inlet temperature controller can be controlled in the range 0-550° C.

      Screenshot 2024-05-10 at 12.39.28

      The Replay Assist feature can be used for “Vortex control” and “Set temperature” control curves as usual. Please note that “Set temperature” is only replayed if the “Auto” toggle is enabled. Likewise, “Vortex control” is only replayed if the “Auto” toggle is disabled.

      If you prefer to control the roaster using the HMI screen of the IMF roaster's , please make sure to disable the setting "Cropster - Enable Roasting" in your roaster's settings screen.

      ❗ Please note that the control values set on the roaster's HMI screen are not reflected in the Roasting Intelligence. Therefore, if you want them to be the same, you need to set the same setpoints in both the roaster's HMI and Cropster RI.

        📚 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: 

        • Are the IP address and temperature unit set properly in the Machine settings?
        • Did you disable Legacy?

        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.