Abstract
An experimental study on the automation of the coffee roasting process was conducted. For this study, a temperature sensor, controllers, and motors were added to a manually operated coffee roaster. The temperature, time, and exhausting damper control were selected as the control parameters. The thermocouple measurements were severely influenced by the thermocouple size and location of the roaster. As a result, the standard thermocouple size and location of the roaster were experimentally set to show a similar trend of temperature change by using a previously installed thermometer. A standard roasting process was chosen through repeated roasting experiments and the advice of a roasting expert. The automation of the roasting process was successfully executed using temperature criteria, such as the bean input and first and second crack occurrence, and by controlling the exhausting damper opening time. The control parameters and roaster skills can be used for similar types of roasters for process automation.