Weighing is a fundamental component in the coffe industry.
Weighing systems are present at every stage of the supply chain: from cultivation and green coffee bean harvesting, through roasting, to grinding and packaging.

IMF is an Italian company specializing in the design and manufacture of artisan and industrial roasting machines and complete systems for the coffee industry. 

In collaboration with IMF, we developed two weighing systems for two different stages of coffee processing: roasting and ground coffee storage.

Table of contents

1- Weight monitoring on the loading hopper and destoner of an artisan roasting machine.
The sensors monitor the weight of incoming green coffee and outgoing roasted coffee, improving process quality and overall plant efficiency.

2- Silo weighing for ground coffee storage.
Monitoring the weight of ground coffee inside storage silos and transmitting the data to management software, to improve and keep track of product traceability.

1- Weight monitoring on the loading hopper and destoner of an artisan roasting machine.

Requirement

The weighing system must be fast and accurate, while also occupying minimal space and integrating seamlessly with IMF's production control software.

Our solution

For the weighing systems on the loading hopper and destoner we used:

• 7 FCOL bending beam load cells;
• 2 TLS485 weight transmitters;
• 2 CASTLTAST polycarbonate enclosures with keypad for the TLS 485 weight transmitter.

How does it work?

At the end of the cleaning process, the 4 load cells installed on the destoner detect the product's new weight and transfer it to the TLS485 weight transmitter, which in turn sends the data to the PLC controlled by the management software, which can then verify that the weight change before and after roasting falls within the expected parameters.

The software compares the green coffee weight against the roasted coffee weight and calculates the percentage loss.

The added value

• The FCOL load cells are compact and robust, ideal for precise weighing with a high response speed. Fast, accurate measurement is essential for quality control, production traceability, and safe transfer to storage.
• The TLS485 weight trasnmitter applies a digital filter that reduces the effects of the typical mechanical oscillations of moving machinery. It ensures stable and accurate data even during loading and unloading phases.
• The TLS485 weight transmitter seamlessly integrates the load cells with the management software, transferring data and allowing the detected weight to be displayed on devices located away from the machine. This turns the destoner into a central data monitoring point and increases overall plant efficiency.
• Accurately detecting and monitoring roast loss means verifying that the process is running correctly: depending on variety, coffee beans contain varying amounts of water and organic material, so weight loss differs by bean type.

2- Silo weighing for ground coffee storage.

Requirement

To measure the weight of ground coffee inside each silo, in order to monitor the quantity of product loaded in and discharged out.

The system must operate in a working environment with an explosion-risk atmosphere classified ATEX 2-22, and interface with IMF's dedicated management sotware.

Our solution

For each circular-section silo, we used:

• 3 FCAX 500 bending beam load cells, ATEX certified;
• 1 TLM8 Profinet/IO weight transmitter;
• 1 CASTLM8I enclosure, X version in AISI 304 stainless steel, ATEX certified, for the TLM8 weight transmitter.

How it works

The 3 load cells are installed at the base of the silo and fastened to a carbon steel support structure.

They detect the weight of the product inside the silo and transfer the data to the TLM8 weight transmitter, installed in the CASTLM8I enclosure near the weighing system.

The weight transmitter sends the data via Profinet/IO fieldbus to the PLC located far from the weighing system. The PLC then interfaces with the management software, which logs the data to track all product movements in and out.

The added value

• The FCAX load cells, integrated with the management software, are an excellent alternative to installing multiple rotary level sensors for starting and stopping product loading: a rotary sensor only indicates the physical fill level of the silo, whereas the load cell continuously monitors its weight.
• The TLM8 weight transmitter features built-in diagnostics: it monitors the connection status of each individual channel and detects any malfunctions, errors, or faults on the load cells. 
  This simplifies process control and management operations.
• The system seamlessly integrates weighing functions into the logic of IMF's PLC-controlled software. 
• The recorded weighing data improves product traceability, enabling early identification of any issues, guaranteeing product quality, and optimizing logistics.