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.

Table of Contents

Specifications Requirements Supported measurements Setting up a connection Via the computer Via the network router 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 Troubleshooting

This roast machine is currently in the Beta stage of development at Cropster.

To access this integration, please register for Beta testing by completing the provided form here.

Beta testing involves the evaluation of new features by a limited group of users to uncover potential 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 behaviour.

We will be happy to assist in resolving any issues you may encounter or propose alternative connection options.

Specifications

Requirements

Ethernet cable

IMF roasters manufactured from March 2023 onwards should come pre-installed with the necessary software version.

IMF roasters manufactured before March 2023 will need to undergo a software update. This update can be requested from the manufacturer and is subject to a fee.

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

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 Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.

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 wifi 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: 192.168.2.42
  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.
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: 192.168.2.42
  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 the custom version of Roasting Intelligence depending on your computer's Operating System here.
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 IMF 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 IMF 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 > Configuration tab and click on the Gear icon in the Connector setup section to open and configure more settings.
Enter the following details:
- Default hostname/IP address: 192.168.2.32
- Legacy: Disable
- Temperature unit: Select the unit (Celsius or Fahrenheit) shown on the IMF HMI screen.
Click OK.
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.

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.

Control and Cropster Replay:

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 the Set temperature, Vortex, Airflow, and Drum speed using Cropster Roasting Intelligence is only possible if the roaster is in the 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.

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, please make sure to disable the setting "Cropster - Enable Roasting" on 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 set points in both the roaster's HMI and Cropster RI.

Troubleshooting

If 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.

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

control integration imf