This article introduces the workflow for Cropster's Airflow Control/Replay feature.
The Control measurements are only available for specific machines.
Check our "Cropster roast machine partner" page to see whether your roast machine is supported.
On Giesen roast machines the airflow is controlled by the drum pressure. Drum pressure control and Airflow control are used interchangeably in the following article.
Setting up the Airflow Control measurement
Cropster's Airflow Control enables you to directly adjust and regulate the airflow within the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software.
If the Airflow Control measurement is not shown from the RI's Machine Preferences, the control measurement must be added before it can be set up.
The following applies if the roaster has already been successfully connected to the computer you have set up. If not, you can find more information about your machine's respective setup manual from our Connect Your Roast Machine page or our Helpdesk.
By following the steps below you can set up the Airflow control:
- Log in to Roasting Intelligence (RI).
- Navigate to the
Preferences on the bottom left side of the screen. - Select the Machine tab and Configurations.
- Scroll down to the Airflow Control (or Drum Pressure Control) measurement and select the option representing your machine.
Examples are included below for your reference: - Probat series 2 machines - Probat PLC
- Probat PIII machines - Probat Web Socket
- Giesen machines manufactured from June 2014 onwards - Giesen PLC
- Save your changes.
Once you have set up a profile with a reference using Airflow control, the profile can also be replayed.
This means Cropster automatically reproduces the airflow settings applied during the creation of the profile based on bean temperature.
The Airflow Control bar
The Airflow Control 
bar is in the bottom-right corner next to the machine's measurements, and can be hidden by clicking the Hide 
button.
If you previously used RI4 you might have already noticed the change regarding the +/- signs of the Gas control bar which we would also like to draw attention to:
In RI5 the -/+ buttons have a reversed position. The - is on the top left and the + is on the top right side of the Gas control bar.
Roasting with Airflow control
Start your roast as you usually would in the RI.
Now, instead of manually adjusting the air supply at the roast control board, use the Airflow control bars at the right-hand side of the RI.
- For small adjustments, use the - and + button.
- For big adjustments, use the Control bar by dragging and dropping the slider.
- For instant adjustments, click the percentage values shown on the Airflow control bar to instantly adjust the air value accordingly.
Replaying a roast
As soon as you have recorded one roast with the Airflow control bar, set this roast as the reference to enable Replay assist.
📚Learn more about roasting with Cropster's Control & Replay Assist features and revising the Replay Assist Preferences.
Never leave the roast machine unattended while replaying a roast. Cropster replays the roast and captures the details, but you are always responsible for monitoring the roast machine to ensure it is operating safely.
Related content
Congratulations! You are now ready to use Cropster's Airflow control/Replay feature.
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.