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      RCE Automatyka refurbished roast machines (with B&R PLC) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup (beta)

      In this article, you will learn how to connect a RCE Automatyka refurbished roast machine, with a B&R PLC, to 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.

        Specifications

        Requirements

        • Ethernet cable

        Supported measurements

        Setting up a connection

        Via the computer 

        1. Connect the network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port 
        2. Connect the other end to the computer's Ethernet port.

        Proceed with the Network settings.

        Via the network router

        1. Connect your network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port.
        2. Connect the other end to the routers' Ethernet port.
        3. Make sure that your computer and the router are connected (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable). 

        Proceed with the Network settings.

        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

        1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
          or enter ncpa.cpl in the Windows search field.
        2. On the left panel, click the Change adapter settings link.
        3. 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.
        4. Right-click the network adapter and select Properties.
        5. Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option and click the Properties button.
        6. Select Use the following IP Address option.
        7. Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
          The default IP address of RCE refurbished machines is 192.168.1.100.
          • 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
        8. Click the OK button to submit your changes.

        Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

          Static IP address configuration - MacOS 

          1. Go to Apple icon > System Preferences > Network.
          2. 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.
          3. Open the Configure IPv4 dropdown and choose Manually.
          4. Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
            The default IP address of RCE refurbished machines is 192.168.1.100.
            • 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
          5. 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

            1. Download the custom test version of the Roasting Intelligence depending on your computer's Operating System here.
            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.
              They are the email address and password you were given to access your Cropster account on c-sar.cropster.com
            5. Check the Remember credentials box if you want to be able to run the RI offline.
            6. Click the Login button.
               

            Establishing a connection to the machine

            1. Go to Account > Preferences > Machine tab.

            2. Select the Roast machine you would like to connect from the drop-down menu (e.g.

              Gothot 50kg)

            3. Select RCE Coffee PLC from the drop-down for all measurements.

            4. Click on the gear () icon to open more settings.
              1. Hostname/IP address: Enter the IP address of the roast machine. The default for RCE refurbished roast machines is 192.168.1.100.
            5. 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 how to:

            When using Replay assist, do not use any other temperature controlling software in parallel. Any gas/airflow changes from a concurrent client disables Replay assist for the remainder of the roast. 

            Troubleshooting

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

            • Is the IP address correct?
            • Is the static IP address set up?

            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.