IMF Control Integration - Roasting Intelligence Setup (Beta)

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 10, 11 Static IP address configuration - macOS Roasting Intelligence Setup Installing the Roasting Intelligence 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.

Specifications

Requirements

Ethernet cable

⚠️ Important information:

IMF roasters manufactured from March 2023 onwards should come pre-installed with the necessary software version.
IMF roasters manufactured before March 2023 require a mandatory software update. This service is provided directly by the roast machine manufacturer and is subject to a fee. Please contact the manufacturer here.

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

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 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 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 10, 11

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.
To identify the roast machine, unplug and reconnect the Ethernet cable to see which icon updates.
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.

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.
To identify the roast machine, unplug and reconnect the Ethernet cable to see which icon updates.
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.

Roasting Intelligence Setup

Installing the Roasting Intelligence software

Download the custom version of Roasting Intelligence depending on your computer's operating system.
Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access Roasting Intelligence.
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.

Important details to keep in mind:

Before you start configuring your roast machine, ensure that you have added it via the online platform C-sar.
Only click Save after you've completed all settings in Roasting Intelligence.

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 (with controls) from the dropdown.
⚠️ The standard IMF PLC connector does not support controls.
Click Select to add the connector.
Select the Gear icon in the Connector setup section to open and configure more settings.
Enter the following details:
- Hostname/IP address: 192.168.2.32
- PLC with legacy software version (no floating point support): Disable
- Temperature unit
Click OK.
Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
To activate the measurements, click the green toggle button.
Enable the desired measurements and choose IMF PLC (with controls) 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 > Slider controls tab.
To activate the measurements, click the green toggle button.
Enable the desired controls and choose IMF PLC (with controls) as the connector type.
(Optional) Change the order of the controls by using theDrag and drop icon and move it into position.
Click Save to confirm the changes.
Restart Roasting Intelligence. If the setup was successful, you will see the temperature values displayed on the right-hand side of the screen following 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 Roasting Intelligence 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 PLC with legacy software version (no floating point support) in the Connector setup section?

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

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