Overview

This article shows how to connect your Froco N-series (FR1N, FR3N, FR5N, FR15N, FR25N, FR50N) to Cropster Roasting Intelligence.

Note: We are currently testing this integration. If you would like to use it, please sign up for our RMM Beta Program before proceeding with the setup.

Requirements

• Ethernet cable

Supported measurements and controls

• Bean temperature [°]
• Drum temperature [°]
• Inlet temperature [°]
• Gas [%]
• Airflow [%]
• Drum speed [%]
• Control sliders: Set temperature (Bean temperature set point) [°]

Setup

Network connection setup

• Via a network router: Connect the roaster to your network router using an Ethernet cable. The router will automatically assign an IP address to the machine. Ensure that your computer is connected to the same local network.
  
• Directly to the computer: Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the roaster's Ethernet port and the other end to your computer's Ethernet port.
  

Note: If the roaster is connected directly to the computer, you must configure a Static IP address.

Identify the IP address

Once the Froco N-series is connected to the network, an IP address will be used. The default IP address for the Froco N-series is 192.168.1.10.

Configure a static IP address

Windows 10, 11

1. Navigate to the Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center (or Network and Internet > Network Sharing Center).
2. Click Change adapter settings.
3. Identify and select the network connection corresponding to your roast machine. (If unsure, disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable to see which icon changes status).
4. Right-click on the WiFi or Local Area Connection and click Properties.
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
6. Select the Use the following IP address option.
7. Enter the specific IP Address for your computer, replacing the fourth number block with 42:
   • For example, if the machine's IP address is 192.168.1.10:
   • IP Address: 192.168.1.42
   • Important: The first three blocks of the IP address must match the IP address of your roaster.
   • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
8. Leave the remaining fields blank.
9. Click OK to submit your changes.

macOS

1. Navigate to System Settings > Network (or System Preferences).
2. Identify and select the network connection corresponding to your roast machine. (If unsure, disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable to see which icon changes status).
3. Click Details...
4. Open the TCP/IP section and select Manually next to Configure IPv4.
5. Enter the specific IP Address for your computer, replacing the fourth number block with 42:
   • For example, if the machine's IP address is 192.168.1.10:
   • IP Address: 192.168.1.42
   • Important: The first three blocks of the IP address must match the IP address of your roaster.
   • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
6. Click OK to confirm the changes.

Install Roasting Intelligence

1. Download the appropriate custom version of Roasting Intelligence for your system:
   1. Windows: x64 version ending in .exe
   2. macOS: version ending in .dmg
   3. Linux: version ending in .rpm or .deb
2. Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
3. Double-click the Cropster Roasting Intelligence icon on your desktop.
4. Click the Login with browser button.
   
    
5. You will be directed to the sign-in page in your browser. Enter your email and password, then click the green Log in button. Use the same credentials that you use to access our online platform.

Establish a connection to the machine

1. In the top-left corner of the screen, click on Preferences > Machine > Configuration.
2. Click on the Machine drop-down menu (a) at the top of the window and select your roasting machine.
3. Click the + Add connector button (b) to choose your connector from the drop-down menu.
   
    
4. Select Froco PLC from the list, then click Select:
   
    
5. Click the Gear icon next to the added connector:
   
    
6. Enter the Hostname/IP address (the default is 192.168.1.10) and click the Temperature unit drop-down menu to select the unit that is configured on the roast machine’s display.
7. Click OK.
   
    
8. Navigate to the Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
9. To activate the measurements, click the toggles next to every measurement in the list. If the toggle is green, the measurement is enabled:
    
10. For every measurement and control slider, click on the accompanying drop-down menu labeled Select source … and select Froco PLC.
    
    
    You can change the order of the measurements by moving the Drag and Drop icons.
     

10. Click Save in the bottom right corner of the Preferences window to save the changes.
    

After saving the changes, restart Roasting Intelligence. If the setup was successful, you will see the data from supported measurements in the bottom-right part of the screen.

Troubleshooting

If you do not see the measurements in Roasting Intelligence, try the following:

• Verify that the roasting machine is connected to the computer via an Ethernet cable.
• Follow the section Establish a connection to the machine back to step 6 and verify that the Hostname / IP address and Temperature unit match your machine's configuration.

If this does not help, submit a ticket to Cropster Technical Support, and our representatives will assist you.