ProfilePlus RT system is designed to control the coffee roaster and log the roast data for each roast.
The system uses profile inputs to generate a profile curve, which the system uses in controlling the output of the burner. The profile inputs are supplied by the roasting person, which determines the time and temperature points the system uses in determining the profile curve.
ProfilePlus RT is a PC based control system. The program runs on a Windows XP or Vista based PC which communicates to remote I/O hardware that controls reading the temperature probes and controlling the outputs which control the roaster burner and/or optional stir, door and after burners.
The software has settings which allow for printed records of each roast at the completion of the roast. By turning on this feature and connecting a printer to the computer, a hard copy printout of the roast will automatically occur when the roast is completed. You have two options for the type of reports you can select, a standard report which will print a two page report consisting of a screen shot of the operator interface and a second page which is a blank cupping form(If option is turned On). The second report option utilizes Microsoft Word to print out the report. Using the second method allows you to scale the graphics printed to fit on one page if desired. (A copy of Microsoft Word must be purchased and installed on the same computer).
The system automatically log the roast data to a CSV type file which can be opened
in a spreadsheet or with the bonus software, Log Reviewer 2. The file contains four
columns, Time (secs), set point, Environment temperature, and Bean temperature.
These files are saved in a sub-directory named after the roast profile name, ex.
Colombian, would be saved in
c:\Program Files\ProfilePlus RT\Colombian\ColombianRoastData080320040835PM
The system automatically takes the profile name and adds to it "RoastData", the date
and time of the roast, then puts it in the sub-directory of the profile. If the subdirectory
does not already exist, it will create it prior to saving the file.
When the roast reaches 10*F before final temperature the Turn Stir light will come on and the beeper will sound, reminding you to turn the stir and cooling tray blower motor on (for Plus system with the stir and door options, these will be turned on automatically for you at 8*F before final temp). Then at final temperature the burner will be turned off, the Drop door light will come on and read "Drop door Open", which indicates that you have reached the final temperature and need to open the drum door releasing the coffee into the cooling tray (again, if you have the door option, this will be done automatically). After all the coffee has exited from the drum, close the door (if you have the door option, press/click on the button on screen to close the door).
Example of Running a Roast
Let's run through an example of how you will run a roast. Start by turning everything on, and starting up the Profile Plus program. Either select your profile, if already created, or enter the new Profile information and save the Profile.
Click the Start button. The system will light the burners and bring the roaster up to preheat temperature. Preheat temperature is based on the Enviro temp probe. This is the only time the system uses the Environment probe in the control logic. Once the roaster is at preheat temp, the green indicator light will come on, signaling that the roaster and system are ready for the green coffee to be dropped into the drum. There is an option to have the beeper sound at this point to provide an audible indicator that the roaster has reached preheat. When the system sees a drop in the Bean temperature and is below the final temp the system will start to log and display the roast information, the green light will turn off and the data logging indicator light will turn on. The system will watch for the equilibrium temperature between the green coffee and the Bean temperature probe. This is the point at which the Bean probe temperature starts to climb again. The system will start to generate the profile. The system will continue to recalculate the profile curve until the Bean temperature reaches the Hold Temp value, at this point the curve will be locked in. The system will calculate the burner output, trying to maintain the Bean temperature the same as the profile curve temperature. You may see some over shoot or under shoot in Bean temperature while the roast is running. Slight over/under shooting is acceptable, trying to stay with in a couple of degrees. If the difference is large, this is most likely due to incorrect PID settings. When the roast reaches the point that it is 10*F below the final temperature, the control cabinet beeper will sound. If the door and stir option is on the system, at 8*F below final temperature, the stir and cooler blower will turn on. When the Bean temperature reaches the final temperature, the system will shut off the burner and indicate to open the drum door ( if the optional door opener is installed, this will happen automatically). All of the roast information will be saved to file on the hard drive and if Printing is ON, a screen shot of the main operator interface will be printed. When the Start button is visible, the roaster is ready for the next batch. If you have a low preheat value set, there will be a yellow WAIT indicator displayed over the Start button. The WAIT indicator will disappear when the environment temperature is 20*F below the preheat temperature.
System and Power requirements
The system requires 110VAC power, standard wall outlet.
The PC requirements are as follows:
- Pentium 3 850 MHz equivalent or better
- 256 Meg RAM
- 20 Gig hard drive
- 15" Monitor with a minimum resolution of 1024 X 768
- CD drive
- COM port #1 open
- The PC should be dedicated to running the software, Not used to play games while the roaster is running.
- You will need to plug in the Roaster, remote I/O hardware and Computer. The suggestion is to plug the roaster into a separate circuit, from the remote I/O hardware and the computer. The Computer can be plugged into the outlet bank in the control cabinet.
