Coffeetool R-models (from September 2015 onwards) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

This manual covers the connection of the Coffeetool machine manufactured from September 2015 onwards to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

Table of Contents

Specifications Requirements Supported measurements Setting up a connection Network settings Static IP address configuration - Windows 7, 8, 10 Static IP address configuration - macOS Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software Establishing a connection to the machine CoffeeTool's Control Mode Guide Troubleshooting

Specifications

Requirements

Allen Bradley PLC
Ethernet cable

Supported measurements

Coffeetool roast machines manufactured between June 2019 and June 2021 do not support Cropster's Control features.

Bean temperature
Exhaust temperature
Burner temperature
Airflow (%)
Airflow Control
Gas (%)
Gas Control
Drum speed (MHz)
Drum Speed Control

The Gas, Drum Speed Control, and Airflow Control features are currently available in Beta for Coffeetool roast machines manufactured within the specified timeframes:

Manufactured between 2015-2019	Allen Bradley Micro 820 PLC. Read & Control of Gas, Airflow, and Drum Speed. Can be controlled from the HMI and PC at the same time.
Manufactured between June 2019 - June 2021	Schneider M241 Series PLC. Read only.
Manufactured from June 2021 onwards	Schneider M241 Series PLC. Read & Control of Gas, Airflow, and Drum Speed. Requires switching between HMI control mode/PC control mode.

Setting up a connection

There are two ways to connect your roast machine to the network:

Via the computer directly
Via the network router

Via the computer

Connect the network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port
Connect the other end to the computer's Ethernet port.
Proceed with the Network settings.

Via the network router

Connect your network cable to your roaster's Ethernet port.
Connect the other end to the router's Ethernet port.
Make sure that your computer and the router are connected (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable).
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

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

Navigate to the Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center or Network and Internet > Network Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings.
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.
Right-click on WiFi or Local Area Connection.
Click Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Click Properties.
Select the Use the following IP Address option.
Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
- 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.
Click the OK button to submit your changes.
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

Static IP address configuration - macOS

Navigate to> System Settings > Network.
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.
Click on Details...
Open the TCP/IP section and choose Manually next to Configure IPv4.
Enter the specific IP Address for your roaster and replace the fourth number block with 42:
- 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
Click the OK button to confirm the changes.
Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

Download RI.
Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.
Click the green Login with the browser button.
You will be directed to the C-sar browser.
Enter your Username* and Password* and click the green Sign in with password button.
Use the same credentials that you use to access the online platform C-sar.

Establishing a connection to the machine

The images below are for reference and may vary slightly from your screen.

Before you begin configuring your roast machine, ensure that you have added it via the online platform C-sar.

SelectPreferences > Machine > Configuration
To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section.
Click the + Add connector option to choose your connector from the dropdown list.
Select Coffeetool PLC from the dropdown.
Click Select to add the connector.
Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.
Enable the desired measurements and choose Coffeetool PLC as the connector type.
(Optional) Change the order of the measurements by using theDrag and Drop icon and move it into position
Navigate to the Machine > Controls tab.
To activate the controls, simply click the green toggle button. Enable the controls you wish to activate.
Choose Coffeetool PLC as the connector type.
(Optional) Change the order of the Slider controls by using the Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
Navigate to the Machine > Configuration tab and click on the Gear icon in the Connector setup section to open and configure more PLC IP settings..
Enter the IP address for the roast machine.
The default IP address for Coffeetool roast machines is 192.168.1.200.
Click OK.
Click Save to finalize the changes.
Proceed with the Coffeetool's Control Mode.

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.

Learn more about the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Preferences and roasting with the Control and Replay Assist features.

CoffeeTool's Control Mode Guide

Coffeetool's Control Modes are only available on Coffeetool machines manufactured after June 2021.

After the Coffeetool machine's software update (for machines manufactured after June 2021), from the Coffeetool's HMI touch screen, you can run the machine in two control modes.

This allows you to shift the control between the Coffeetool's HMI touchscreen and roast-profiling software:

The available control modes include:

HMI Control Mode: The roaster receives user input commands for Gas, Airflow, and Drum speed only from the HMI touchscreen.
PC Control Mode: The roaster receives user input commands for Gas, Airflow, and Drum speed only from the PC.

For the Cropster Controls integration, please set the Coffeetool's control mode to PC Control Mode, as shown below:

When you switch from PC Mode to HMI Mode, the variables are initialized to 50%.

Push the Settings tab on the top of the HMI touchscreen. By default, the Coffeetool roast machine is set to HMI Control Mode.
If the HMI Control Mode button is highlighted as GREEN, then it is enabled.
Tap the PC Control Mode button to enable it for Cropster's Control features.
If the PC Control Mode button is highlighted in RED, then it is enabled.

Troubleshooting

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

Is the roast machine connected to the network (router or computer)?
If the roaster is connected to the computer directly, is the static IP address configured correctly?
Does the IP address assigned to the roast machine match the default?
Have you set the HMI touch screen to "PC Control Mode"?

Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Cropster Roasting Intelligence.

Your opinion matters. If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please submit a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.

coffeetool roasting intelligence