Hottop KN-8828B-2K+

Beginning with Artisan version 0.9.3, support for the Hottop KN-8828B-2K+ home roaster is available. Besides other improvements over previous models, that machine features a USB port that can be used to connect this roaster to a computer running Artisan without requiring any additional hardware or software (see Controlling a Hottop). Artisan allows logging the temperatures from both factory-installed thermocouples of the KN-8828B-2K+ allowing Artisan to read the Environmental Temperature (ET) and Bean Temperature (BT). Artisan also can read the fan speed data (0-10 in increments of 10) and the heater level data (0-100 in increments of 1) from the machine. Finally, by defining some extra buttons and sliders on the Artisan side, it is also possible to fully take control over the machine, setting the heater, fan and even controlling the main motor, cooling tray and drop door. Using Artisan's alarm features it is then possible to run complex roast programs using time and temperature settings in a fully automatic mode if desired.

Proaster and Artisan

COFFEE OLLE, a coffee roaster in Hong Kong, posted instructions on how they connect Artisan directly via USB to their 5Kg THCR-03 Proaster shop roaster.

Connecting Artisan to a Coffee-Tech FZ-94 Lab Roaster

The extensive controllability of the FZ-94, a 100g to 2.4kg capacity range lab roaster from Coffee-Tech Engineering, makes it an excellent machine for the development of roast profiles. It features three electric heating elements that can be controlled separately, controls for both, drum speed and air speed, and comes with three build-in temperature probes. The roaster is prepared for data logging using Artisan via its USB connector.

Secondo Semifinale Campionato Italiano TOSTATURA CAFFÉ

The 2nd semi-finals of the SCAE Italy Roasting Competition took place on 3-5.12.2014 @ Kuntrawant, Al Passo dello Stelvio. This round was running on Artisan, Tonino and a 5Kg Probat Probatone roaster. All data was electronically documented and is shared here.

Batch Volume and Bean Density

The density of beans is an important parameter to decide on an appropriate roast profile. From the given volume and weight of a batch of coffee (green or roasted) entered in the Roast Properties dialog (menu Roast >> Properties) Artisan computes the beans density.

Event Quantifiers

Suppose you have connected a device to Artisan that measures the gas pressure of your burner or the setting of your damper. Wouldn't it be better to log this data as events reflecting changes on a 0-100% scale, instead of squeezing this data as a curve with a strange temperature scale in the graph?

Virtual Devices and Symbolic Assignments

Artisan supports a wide list of different devices to read data from and to write data to. Several of those devices can be operated in parallel ending up in more temperature channels than one can fit on the display. Could anybody need more?