Overview

Flow integrates with a range of commercial 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 espresso machine which collects the signal from the espresso machines built in flow meters then transmits this data to the cloud for processing and analysis.

Quick Start Installation Procedure

Before going to site:

1. Prerequisite site requirements are met

2. All required equipment is available

On-site:

1. Connect the flow meter cable(s) to the espresso machine flow meters

2. Mount the Flow Gateway

3. Route the flow meter cable(s) to the Flow Gateway and secure the cable

4. Setup and install the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter (If required)

5. Plug in the Flow Gateway

6. Confirm the Flow Gateway operation

Technical support

Email support@flowcoffee.co.nz

Safety instructions

• The Flow Gateway must be installed by a technician with the appropriate levels of certification to perform work inside of a commercial espresso machine.

• The maximum ambient temperature that the Flow Gateway is designed to operate in is 40°C (104°F). Ensure it is installed in a location where the ambient temperature does not exceed this.

• Do not open the Flow Gateway, there are no serviceable parts inside. For all hardware faults return the Flow Gateway to a Flow Coffee authorised distributor.

Mounting requirements

• Locate the Flow Gateway in a location that will not be affected by excessive heat, and where it will not come into direct contact with water or steam.

• If the Flow Gateway is located where it may be disturbed, or if it is installed on the a wall or underside of a counter, secure the Flow Gateway using high strength double sided foam tape (eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive). Remove the rubber feet from the bottom of the Flow Gateway before securing with high strength double sided foam tape.

• If the Flow Gateway is wall mounted, it is only suitable for mounting at heights of less than 2 metres above floor level.

• The Flow Gateway is not suitable for mounting on the underside of overhead kitchen cabinets (where it may be exposed to steam or excessive heat from equipment on the counter top below it).

Table of contents

Prerequisite site requirements

• An Ethernet or Wi-Fi network which is accessible from the location of the 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)
    For advanced users: If required outbound network access to this address can be tested by following this guide Testing outbound network access

  • 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 espresso machine (usually under the counter)
  Nb. The supplied flow meter cables are 3 meters long, so depending on the routing of the cable within the espresso machine, this allows for installing the Flow Gateway approximately 1.5-2 meters away from the espresso machine

• One, or two if a Wi-Fi network is used, AC power outlets near the location of the espresso machine (usually under the counter):

  • The first is for the Flow Gateway power supply
    Nb. The Flow Gateway power supply cable is 1 meter long

  • The second is 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

• If a machine has non-standard flow meters we can't guarantee connectivity and the installer will have to assess on a case by case basis based on the connector type and pinout

Equipment required (per espresso machine)

1x Flow Gateway

Open

1x Flow Gateway power supply

The flow gateway power supply has interchangeable pins for EU, UK, US and AU power outlet types. Ensure that the power supply has the correct pins for the plug type used in your region.

Open

1x or 2x Two grouphead flow meter cable

Cable which connects the Flow Gateway to the 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:Flow meter cable variations

Make sure you have the correct type of cable for the espresso machine that the Flow Gateway will be installed into.

Optional: 1x or 2x Two grouphead flow meter cable - Alternate pinout adapter

Cable which connects inline with the Two grouphead flow meter cable and changes the pinout.

One cable is required for a 1-2 grouphead machine, two cables for a 3-4 grouphead machine.

This is required for some espresso machine models - see Flow meter cable variations

1x Ethernet (network) cable

The Ethernet cable needs to be a suitable length to connect the Flow Gateway to the Ethernet (wired) outlet, or to the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter.

Nb. The Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter must be plugged into an AC power outlet. If there is a suitable mounting location for the Flow Gateway near the AC power outlets then the Ethernet cable length would typically be 0.5-1.0 meters.

Optional: 1x Wi-Fi to Ethernet (wired) adapter

When the Flow Gateway needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network for access to the Internet a separate Wi-Fi to Ethernet (wired) network adapter is required.

When a Wi-Fi to Ethernet (wired) adapter will be installed: A computer, tablet or smartphone with a Wi-Fi network connection

This is required to configure the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter

Tools and consumables

• Cable ties

• High strength double sided foam tape - eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive

• Tools for removing the appropriate covers from the espresso machine to access the flow meters

Installation procedure

1. Connect the flow meter cable(s) to the espresso machine flow meters

The espresso machine has a flow meter per grouphead (SeeExamples of flow meters in an espresso machinefor some example images).

The flow meter cable has a female and male plug per grouphead to allow it to connect in parallel with the 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.  SeeFlow meter cable variationsfor the different types of espresso machine flow meter connectors and which adapters are required to connect them to the Flow Gateway.

For each flow meter

1. Disconnect the espresso machine’s plug connector from the flow meter terminals.

2. Connect the flow gateway cable to the flow meter terminals.

3. Reconnect the espresso machine’s plug connector on top of the new gateway cable as per the image below.

Unused connection

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 espresso machine), connect the spare male and female plugs together then secure the cable out of the way.

2. Mount the Flow Gateway

1. Locate the Flow Gateway near the espresso machine in a location that will not be affected by excessive heat, and where it will not come into direct contact with water or steam (usually under the counter is the most appropriate location).  Ensure the chosen location is in reach of the flow meter cable, AC power outlets, and if applicable Ethernet outlet.

2. If the Flow Gateway is located where it may be disturbed, or if it is installed on the a wall or underside of a counter, secure the Flow Gateway using high strength double sided foam tape (eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive). Remove the rubber feet from the bottom of the Flow Gateway before securing with high strength double sided foam tape.

3. Route the flow meter cable(s) to the Flow Gateway and secure the cable

1. Route the cable(s) through the service hole in the bottom of the espresso machine then to where the Flow Gateway will be located.

2. Secure the cable(s) inside the espresso machine so that they cannot touch any hot components like water piping or the boiler, and so that they cannot be dislodged if they are pulled from outside of the espresso machine.

3. Plug the flow meter cable(s) into the Flow Gateway.

4. If required: Setup and install the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter

(If LAN, plug the LAN cable into the flow unit and run to LAN connection or directly to the router. router or

If a Wi-Fi network connection is being used setup the external Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter:Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter installation - TP-Link TL-WA850RE

5. Connect the Flow Gateway

1. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Flow Gateway, then route and connect to the Ethernet (wired) outlet or the Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter, and secure the cable.

2. Install the Flow Gateway power supply, secure the cable, and connect to the device.

3. Ensure that the power and (after approximately 20 seconds) status indicator on the front panel of the Flow Gateway are illuminated continuously green.

Nb. If the status indicator on the front panel is not illuminated continuously green (eg. flashing orange or flashing green), check on the back of the Flow Gateway that the network outlet indicators are illuminated as follows:

• Green indicator illuminated continuously

• Amber indicator illuminated continuously or blinking

6. Confirm the Flow Gateway operation

1. Run each grouphead on the espresso machine, ensuring that the correct grouphead light number on the front panel of the Flow Gateway flashes green while the grouphead is running.

2. Contact your Flow Coffee representative to confirm the unit has connected to the cloud servers and data is being received for the espresso machine.