Hardware version: Prototype V1/V2

Overview

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

Quick Start Installation Procedure

1. Prerequisite requirements are met

2. Connect the Flow meter cable(s) to the coffee machine flow meters

3. Mount the Flow Gateway

4. Route the Flow meter cable(s) to the IoT device and secure the cable

5. Setup and install the WiFi to Ethernet adapter (If required)

6. Plug in the Flow Gateway

7. Confirm the Flow Gateway operation

Technical support

Phone - Scott @ Flow +64 27 423 3135

Email support@flowcoffee.co.nz

Table of contents

Sub-pages

Flow solution components

Flow Gateway

Electronic device that connects the coffee machine to Flows cloud dashboard (usually mounted under the counter).

Flow Gateway power supply

100-240V AC - 5V DC power adapter for the Flow Gateway (interchangeable AC pins).

Two grouphead Flow meter cable

Cable which connects the IoT device to the coffee machine’s flow meters. One cable is required for a 1-2 grouphead machine, two cables for a 3-4 grouphead machine.

WiFi to Ethernet adapter

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

IoT device assembly

The Flow Gateway, WiFi to Ethernet adapter, and power supplies are assembled
in the same location (usually under the bench where the coffee machine is) and the
Flow meter cable(s) are routed from there into the coffee machine.

Coffee machine flow meter connection

The coffee machine end of the Flow meter cable has a male and female plug which
piggybacks off the signal from the coffee machines flow meters.

Prerequisite site requirements

• An Ethernet or WiFi network which is accessible from the location of the coffee machine

• Outbound access from the Ethernet or WiFi 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 the coffee machine (usually under the counter).. The supplied Flow meter cable is 3 meters long There is approximately 1.5 meters

• One, AC power outlet near the location of the coffee machine (usually under the counter)

• or two if the Flow Gateway will be connected via a WiFi network

Required Components for installation

For each coffee machine the following components are required to install the Flow solution:

• Flow Gateway

• Flow Gateway power supply

• For a 1-2 grouphead coffee machine:

  • 1x Flow meter cable

• For a 3-4 grouphead coffee machine

  • 2x Flow meter cables

• Appropriate Flow meter cable adapters for the type of coffee machine that the Flow Gateway will be connected to - see Coffee 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 WiFi to connect to the internet:

  • WiFi to Ethernet adapter (comes with power supply and 0.5m Ethernet cable)

  • Computer, tablet or smartphone with a WiFi 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 machine to access the flow meters

Installation procedure

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

The coffee 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 machine’s connection.

For each flow meter

1. Disconnect the coffee machine’s plug or quick connect (blade) connectors from the flow meter terminals.

2. Connect the female connector on the Flow meter cable to the flow meter terminals.

3. Connect the corresponding male connector on the Flow meter cable to the coffee machine’s plug or quick connect (blade) connectors.

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

Nb. If space constraints inside the coffee machine prevent the plug on the Flow meter cable from being able to be connected to the coffee machine’s flow meter, the orientation of the cable entry sleeve on the connector can be rotated.  To do this:

1. Unscrew the cable entry grommet, so that the cable can move freely.

2. Pop the pinout insert out of the bottom of the connector by removing the centre screw and pressing down on the flange which surrounds the screw.

3. Rotate the pinout insert to the desired orientation and reinsert it into the plug housing, taking care not to crush any of the wires on the centre screw flange.

4. Tighten the cable entry grommet and reinsert the centre screw.

Coffee machine flow meter connector variations

Each flow meter has a positive (+), negative (-) and signal (0) terminal.  The type of connector and pinout used by the coffee machine / flow meters varies by manufacturer and model.  Flow meter cable plus adapters are available for the following variations.

For further detail regarding which adapters are required for each coffee machine see Coffee machine flow meter connector variations

2. Mount the Flow Gateway

1. Mount the Flow device near the coffee 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.

2. Mount the device using high strength double sided foam tape (eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive).

3. Route the Flow meter cable(s) to the IoT device and secure the cable

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

2. Secure the cable(s) inside the coffee 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 machine.

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

4. Setup and install the WiFi to Ethernet adapter (If required)

If a wired internet connection is not available setup the external WiFi to Ethernet adapter.

Setup

1. Connect the adapter power supply and wait until the green status light is blinking steadily.

2. On your computer, tablet or smartphone go to the WiFi network settings and connect to the network which matches the SSID and password printed on the underside of the adapter - eg. SSID: “TP-Link_A248”, Password: “12345678”.

   

   Nb. On devices with a mobile data connection (ie. smartphones) it may be necessary to disable mobile data in order to access the adapter configuration web page.  The WiFi adapter won't have an Internet connection when it is first powered on, which may cause some devices to switch to a different network.  You may need to force your device to stay on the selected network to configure the adapter. 

3. Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to http://tplinkwifi.net then login with the username “admin” and password “admin”.

   

4. Click “Next” to start the Quick Setup.

5. Select “Change Login Password”, enter a new username / password that is in accordance with the customers network security policy,  then click “Next”.

   

6. Select “Client” Operation Mode then click “Next”.

   

7. Click “Connect” adjacent to the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.

   

8. Select the Wi-Fi network’s security settings and enter the password in the “Password” field then click “Next”.

   

9. Click “Next” (leaving “LAN Type” set to the default of “Smart IP(DHCP)”.

10. Click “Finish”, then wait for the adapter to reboot.

11. Ensure that the green status light on the adapter becomes continuously illuminated (after approximately 30 seconds).

IF THE GREEN STATUS LIGHT IS NOT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ADAPTER CONFIGURATION.  THIS USUALLY MEANS THAT THE WIFI NETWORK DETAILS YOU ENTERED ARE INCORRECT.

If this is the case you can factory reset the adapter then repeat the above procedure to correct the WiFi network details.  To factory reset the adapter press and hold the reset button down (adjacent to the power connection) until the status light turns off (approximately 10 seconds).

Or alternatively if you have a computer with a Ethernet (wired) network connection you can connect the adapter to your computer via the supplied network cable, then login to http://tplinkwifi.net using the credentials you previously entered and check/adjust the adapter configuration.

Installation

1. Mount the WiFi to Ethernet adapter near the Flow Gateway using high strength double sided foam tape (eg. 3M VHB Double Sided Foam Adhesive).

   1. Nb. Ensure that the WiFi to Ethernet adapter is not mounted against or adjacent to large metal objects (such as refrigerators), because this can make the WiFi signal unreliable. The adapter is supplied with a 0.5m Ethernet cable, if needed use a longer Ethernet cable (not included) to relocate the adapter to a more suitable location.

2. Install the WiFi to Ethernet adapter power supply, secure the cable, and connect to the adapter.

3. Ensure that after approximately 30 seconds the green status light on the WiFi to Ethernet adapter remains continuously illuminated.

5. Plug in the Flow Gateway

1. Connect the Ethernet cable (from the sites network outlet or the WiFi to Ethernet adapter) to the Flow Gateway.

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

3. Ensure that the power light on the front panel of the Flow Gateway is illuminated and that the Ethernet light (green light on the Ethernet jack) is illuminated.
   Nb. It is normal for the connection (globe icon) light on the front panel not to be illuminated when using an Ethernet connection.
   

   

6. Confirm the Flow Gateway operation

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

2. Contact your Flow representative to confirm the unit has connected to our servers and we can see data coming from the coffee machine (See the Support section on the first page for contact details).

Appendix: LED indicators

Power

Status

Grouphead 1-4 flow meters