What is Data Logging?

What is Data Logging?

Roastmaster 4.0 now offers a Data Logging option, available as an in app purchase from the probes list in the utilities section. This option will allow Roastmaster to communicate with one or more Phidget Temperature Sensors via a WiFi Ethernet network.

What is Data Logging?

Roastmaster, by default, allows you to create any number of Curves in a roast. Curves can store any type of numeric variable that changes throughout the roast, and are displayed as line graphs the Roastmaster’s roasting graphs. These curves can be either Control curves for storing machine settings, like heat, gas or airflow, or Reading curves–to store the temperature readings you observe throughout the roast.
Without the Data Logging option and appropriate hardware, you will need to manually enter values throughout the roast by selecting the appropriate curve in the graph of the main roasting console (or analyzer), then tapping the digital readout near the roasting gauge, and entering the value. It will then be recorded in the curve, at the appropriate time in the roast.
The Data Logging option removes most of the manual data entry from your roasting workflow for Reading curves (Control curves are not applicable, and cannot be used with the Data Logging option). With the appropriate Phidgets hardware, the Data Logging option allows you to create logical Probes in Roastmaster that link to physical K Type thermocouples inserted in your roaster. Once these probes are defined, you can link them to your Reading curves in a new roast. Once linked to a Probe, a Reading Curve becomes bound to the physical thermocouple that the Probe controls.
Once a Reading curve is bound to a Probe, the roasting console will report the probe’s exact temperature in real time, and automatically record temperatures at user-definable intervals in the Reading Curve throughout the duration of the roast.

In order to use data logging, you will need the following:

• A Phidget Temperature Sensor with attached K Type thermocouple(s)
• A network host attached to the Phidget Temperature Sensor
• A WiFi (wireless) Ethernet router
• The Roastmaster Data Logging option

The Two Possible Network Host Configurations:

Roastmaster Data Logging With Phidget Temperature Sensor and Laptop Host

You can use a Mac or Windows laptop (or desktop) to host a Phidget Temperature Sensor for Roastmaster’s Data Logging option. This potentially offers a lower-cost solution, but does not provide the portability and level of ease that an SBC2 host offers.

You can use the Phidget SBC2 as the host for Roastmaster’s Data Logging option. This setup provides the utmost in portability and ease of use. Once registered on your WiFi network, the SBC2 will automatically join whenever you plug it into an outlet. This setup requires a bit of assembly, but offers a cost-effective and extremely scalable solution.

1. A Phidget Temperature Sensor with attached K Type thermocouple(s)

Phidget Temperature Sensors are the heart of Data Logging in Roastmaster. They are available in 2 configurations: a 1 Port model, supporting 1 thermocouple, and a 4 Port Model, capable of supporting 4 separate thermocouples.
K Type thermocouples are connected directly to the Temperature Sensor, forming the probe assembly.

2. A network host attached to the Phidget Temperature Sensor

Since iOS devices do not support USB connections, the Temperature Sensor/Probe assembly by itself cannot do anything with the temperature data it measures. It must first be connected to a host via a USB cable, which then broadcasts this information over your network, so your iOS device can access it wirelessly.
A host can be either a Mac or Windows laptop or desktop machine (page 3) running the Phidgets software, or the Phidgets SBC2 with a WiFi adapter (page 4).
Note: if you are going to use the Phidget SBC2 as your network host, you will need a Mac or Windows desktop machine or laptop to configure the SBC2 before you use it for the first time. The configuration process is short and takes only a few minutes to complete. All settings are made in the Phidgets Control Panel (Windows) or Preference Pane (Mac). The setup process is simple, user-friendly and will only need to be completed once. After this, the SBC2 will be entirely self-sufficient.

3. A WiFi (wireless) Ethernet router

All iOS devices are wireless. The router facilitates the communication between your iOS device(s) and the Phidget Temperature Sensor/Host assembly.

4. The Roastmaster Data Logging option

The Data Logging option unlocks all Data Logging features in Roastmaster, and allows you to define probes to use with curves during your roasts.
Once you’ve defined your probes, you need only to create one or more reading curves in a new roast (1 for each probe you want to use). In the curve details screen, choose the probe you want to use for that curve. Once you’ve chosen a probe, Roastmaster will link to that probe and begin reporting temperatures in the Roast Console and Full Screen Graph. When you start the roast, Roastmaster will begin sampling temperatures at definable intervals throughout the roast, creating nodes in the curve automatically as the roast progresses.
If you use probes often, consider using the “Curve Templates” feature available in Profiles and Programs. Curve Templates allow you to create blank, placeholder curves in a Profile or Program. Then, whenever you tag that Profile or Program in a roast, Roastmaster will automatically create new, identical curves in the roast for the purpose of recording new data. If you’ve set the probe binding of the Curve Templates, the newly-spawned curves will automatically link to its bound probe, and begin reporting data. Curve Templates eliminate the need for time-consuming roast configuration, making the setup process a one-tap affair.