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Flow integrates with a range of commercial coffee espresso machines, providing cloud based and real-time visibility of coffee production parameters.
It achieves this via an Internet of Things (IoT) device installed near the coffee espresso machine which collects the signal from the coffee espresso machines built in flow meters then transmits this data to the cloud for processing and analysis.
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Prerequisite requirements are met
Connect the Flow meter cable(s) to the coffee espresso machine flow meters
Mount the Flow Gateway
Route the Flow meter cable(s) to the Flow Gateway and secure the cable
Setup and install the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter (If required)
Plug in the Flow Gateway
Confirm the Flow Gateway operation
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Electronic device that connects the coffee espresso machine to Flow Coffee's cloud dashboard (usually mounted under the counter).
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Cable which connects the Flow Gateway to the coffee espresso machine’s flow meters. One cable is required for a 1-2 grouphead machine, two cables for a 3-4 grouphead machine. There are different types of two grouphead flow meter cables available to suit the different flow meter connections commonly found: https://flowcoffee-co-nz.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCI/pages/461242401/Espresso+machine+knowledge+base#Flow-meter-connection-variations
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The Flow Gateway, Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter, and power supplies are assembled
in the same location (usually under the bench where the coffee espresso machine is) and the
Flow meter cable(s) are routed from there into the coffee espresso machine.
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Espresso machine flow meter connection
The coffee espresso machine end of the Flow meter cable has a male and female plug which
piggybacks off the signal from the coffee espresso machines flow meters.
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Prerequisite site requirements
An Ethernet or Wi-Fi network which is accessible from the location of the coffee espresso machine
Outbound access from the Ethernet or Wi-Fi network to
a14v6cnrny0bel-ats.iot.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com on port 443 TCP (HTTP and MQTT over TLS)
At least one of the following addresses, on port 123 UDP (NTP):
0.asia.pool.ntp.org
0.europe.pool.ntp.org
0.id.pool.ntp.org
0.south-america.pool.ntp.org
0.oceania.pool.ntp.org
0.north-america.pool.ntp.org
A suitable mounting location for the Flow Gateway near the coffee espresso machine (usually under the counter)
Nb. The supplied Flow meter cable is 3 meters long, so depending on the routing of the cable within the coffee espresso machine, this allows for installing the Flow Gateway approximately 1.5-2 meters away from the coffee espresso machineAC power outlet near the location of the coffee espresso machine for the Flow Gateway power supply (usually under the counter)
Nb. The Flow Gateway power supply cable is 1 meter longIf the Flow Gateway will be connected via a Wi-Fi network:
A second AC power outlet near the location of the coffee espresso machine for the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter
Nb. The TP-Link TL-WA850RE may not fit in a power outlet adjacent to another plug. It is 66mm wide, and extends 85mm above the centre of plug and 25mm below the centre of the plug.
Required Components for installation
For each coffee espresso machine the following components are required to install the Flow solution:
Flow Gateway
Flow Gateway power supply
For a 1-2 grouphead coffee espresso machine:
1x Flow meter cable
For a 3-4 grouphead coffee espresso machine
2x Flow meter cables
Appropriate Flow meter cable adapters for the type of coffee espresso machine that the Flow Gateway will be connected to - seeCoffee machine flow meter connector variations
If the Flow Gateway will be using a wired internet connection:
Ethernet network cable of a suitable length for the site
If the Flow Gateway will be using Wi-Fi to connect to the internet:
Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter (comes with power supply and 0.5m Ethernet cable)
Computer, tablet or smartphone with a Wi-Fi network connection
Cable ties
High strength double sided foam tape - eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive
Tools for removing the appropriate covers from the coffee espresso machine to access the flow meters
Installation procedure
1. Connect the Flow meter cable(s) to the
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espresso machine flow meters
The coffee espresso machine has a flow meter per grouphead. The Flow meter cable has a female and male plug per grouphead to allow it to connect in parallel with the coffee espresso machine’s connection.
Each flow meter has a positive (+), negative (-) and signal (0) terminal. The type of connector and pinout used by the espresso machine / flow meters varies by manufacturer and model. See https://flowcoffee-co-nz.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCI/pages/461242401/Espresso+machine+knowledge+base#Flow-meter-connection-variations for the different types espresso machine flow meter connectors and which adapters are required to connect them to the Flow Gateway.
For each flow meter
Disconnect the coffee espresso machine’s plug or quick connect (blade) connectors from the flow meter terminals.
Connect the female connector on the Flow meter cable to the flow meter terminals.
Connect the corresponding male connector on the Flow meter cable to the coffee espresso machine’s plug or quick connect (blade) connectors.
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If there is a spare connector on the Flow meter cable after all groupheads have been connected (ie. when two cables are used for a 3 grouphead coffee espresso machine), connect the spare male and female plugs together then secure the cable out of the way.
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Coffee machine flow meter connector variations
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2. Mount the Flow Gateway
Mount the Flow device near the coffee espresso machine in a location that is not likely to be disturbed or affected by heat / water / steam (usually under the counter is the most appropriate location). Ensure the chosen location is in reach of the Flow meter cable and power outlet.
Mount the device using high strength double sided foam tape (eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive).
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Route the cable(s) through the service hole in the bottom of the coffee espresso machine then to where the Flow Gateway will be located.
Secure the cable(s) inside the coffee espresso machine so that cannot touch any hot components like water piping or the boiler, and so that it cannot be dislodged if it is pulled from outside of the coffee espresso machine.
Plug the Flow meter cable(s) into the Flow Gateway.
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Run each grouphead on the coffee espresso machine, ensuring that the correct grouphead light number on the front panel of the Flow Gateway flashes while the grouphead is running.
Contact your Flow Coffee representative to confirm the unit has connected to our servers and we can see data coming from the coffee espresso machine (See the Support section on the first page for contact details).
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