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Arc Roaster (multi barrel lab roaster) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup (Beta)

This manual explains how to set up more than one instance of the Roasting Intelligence, for multi barrel Arc Roasters, with USB port, to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

Written by Nikolett Takacs

Updated at July 30th, 2025

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  • Roasting Intelligence (RI)
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Table of Contents

Specifications Requirements Supported measurements Multi-barrel setup Configuring the startup script MacOS Windows Roasting Intelligence (RI) setup Opening the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Roasting Intelligence (RI) configuration 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 behavior.

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

 


Specifications

Requirements

  • USB cable
  • Driver (serial converter) for machines built before February 2022:
    • https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers
  • Driver (serial converter) for machines built February 2022 onwards:
    • Windows 
    • macOS 
    • Linux 

The driver may already be pre-installed with your operating system.

 
 

Supported measurements

  • Bean temperature
  • Exhaust temperature
  • Inlet temperature


Multi-barrel setup

Downloading the startup script

  1. Download RI.
  2. Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
  3. Download the multibarrel startup script below and save it to the desktop.
    • Windows: RoastingIntelligence5.beta.vbs
    • Mac: RoastingIntelligence5.beta.command.zip
    • Linux: RoastingIntelligence4.sh

Configuring the startup script

The startup script is preconfigured for a four-barrel sample roaster. If your roaster has fewer than four barrels, you will need to adapt the file first. Follow the steps based on your computer's operating system:

  • MacOS
  • Windows

MacOS

  1. Double-click the .zip file to decompress the .command file.
  2. Right-click on the .command file, select Open With and choose the Text edit application.
  3. The file contains four text blocks as shown below. Each block refers to one barrel of your roaster.
  4. Refer to the machine and identify the number of barrels you are setting up.
    The number of barrels on your roaster must match the number of blocks in the file.
  5. Starting from the bottom of the file, delete the text blocks until there are as many text blocks as there are barrels on the roaster. e.g., If you have a two-barrel roast machine, you need to delete the last two text blocks. 
  6. Save your changes to the file.
  7. Continue with Opening the Roasting Intelligence (for Mac).


Windows

  1. Right-click on the vbs. file, select Open With, and choose the Notepad application.
  2. The file contains four text blocks as shown below. Each block refers to one barrel of your roaster.
  3. Refer to the machine and identify the number of barrels you are setting up.
    The number of barrels on your roaster must match the number of blocks in the file.
  4. Starting from the bottom of the file, delete the text blocks until there are as many text blocks as there are barrels on the roaster, e.g., if you have a two-barrel roaster, you need to delete the last two text blocks. 
  5. Save your changes to the file.
  6. Continue with  Opening the Roasting Intelligence (for Windows).


Roasting Intelligence (RI) setup

Opening the Roasting Intelligence (RI)

To open several instances of the Roasting Intelligence (RI), follow the steps below. 

Windows
If you are using Windows, double-click the startup script (RoastingIntelligence5.beta.vbs). Several instances of the Roasting Intelligence (RI) will open.

MacOS
If using macOS, you will need to make the start script executable. 

  1. Download the make executable.zip (2 items) to your desktop.
  2. Unpack the file by double-clicking it. It will create a new file called make_executable.
  3. Unpack the start script file (RoastingIntelligence5.beta.command.zip) It will create a file called RoastingIntelligence5.beta.command.
  4. Drag the RoastingIntelligence5.beta.command file on top of the extracted make_executable automator file.
  5. Click Open in the following dialog. Nothing visually will happen, but the file will now be executable.
  6. Double-click the startup script (RoastingIntelligence5.beta.command). Several instances of the Roasting Intelligence will open.


Linux
Check how to run a sh-file on Linux or issue a support ticket for further assistance. 


Roasting Intelligence (RI) configuration

Enter the machine preferences of each instance of the RI. 

  1. Log in to the Roasting Intelligence (RI).
  2. SelectPreferences > Machine > Configuration
  3. To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section.
  4. Click the + Add connector option to choose your connector from the dropdown list.
  5. Select Arc Roaster from the dropdown.
  6. Click Select to add the connector
  7. Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
  8. To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.
  9. Enable the desired measurements and choose Arc Roaster as the connector type.
  10. (Optional) Change the order of the measurements by using theDrag and Drop icon and move it into position.
  11. Navigate to the Machine > Configuration tab and click on the Gear icon in the Connector setup section to open and configure more settings.
  12. Select the Serial port referring to your roast machine, Temperature unit, and Version:
    • Serial port:
      Windows: COM 
      Mac: USB 
      Select a different serial port in each RI instance.
    • Temperature unit: Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit according to the temperature unit displayed from the machine's temperature readouts.
    • Version: Choose the version corresponding to your machine's manufacturing date.
      Before February 2022 - Version: Before February 2022
      February 2022 onwards - Version: February 2022 onwards 
  13. Click OK.
  14. Save the changes, then repeat the steps for the remaining barrels, from each RI instance.
  15. 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.

Connecting a barrel's USB cable to a different port in the computer may reassign the Serial port, leading to No sources connected.

Select the serial port for the barrel again, from the RI's Machine preferences, to re-establish the connection.

 


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 computer? 
  • Have you downloaded the driver for the USB serial converter, according to the manufacturing year of the machine?
  • Is the correct serial port within the RI selected?

No Sources connected / No temperature readouts

Connecting the USB cable of an Arc Roaster's barrel to a different port in the computer may reassign (or rename) the Serial port.

Because of the serial port reassignment, the Roasting Intelligence (RI) cannot load the serial port saved previously because it has changed, leading No sources connected.

Learn more about troubleshooting Multi Multi-Barrel Arc Roaster.

 

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. 

lab roaster multi-barrel roaster

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