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AGTRON MODEL E20CP COFFEE ROAST ANALYZER

OPERATION MANUAL



INTRODUCTION
Since the earliest days of roasting, a common practice has been to evaluate roast
development by color, specifically the lightness or darkness of the whole bean and/or
ground coffee. Organic chemistry is the source of all of the smell and flavor of coffee.

Using color to classify roast introduces a problem in that the color of the coffee and the
development of the organic soluble chemistry are only elastically related.
Coffee from various origins and / or lots also differs in mineral, organic, and physical
structure making the color to classification relationship even more vague. Simply stated,
it is possible to have two coffee samples roasted to the exact same color that present with
quite different development in the cup.

E20CP ROAST ANALYZER THEORY OF OPERATION

An analysis of the organic chemistry is the most accurate method of classifying true roast
development. Roasted coffee contains over 850 constituents, making a comprehensive
chemical analysis next to impossible. Selectivity is the key. An association with beverage
olfactory and organoleptic character can be established by evaluating the progression of a
specific compound group directly linked to the development of the organic chemistry.
The E20CP ignores color and evaluates changes to a specific group of chemical
compounds using selected wavelengths of NIR (near-infrared) energy. The compounds
selected are linearly related to sensory character.
Analyzer results are posted as a numbered score from 0.0 to 100.0, the lower the number
the darker the roast.
The Agtron Gourmet Roast Classification Scale has two chemical anchor points of
reference. A product score of zero (00.0) indicates a thermal reduction of one hundred
percent (100%) of the soluble organic chemistry to carbon, a roast so dark that it would
have no flavor or aromatic qualities in the cup.
A product score of one hundred and five (105.0) indicates the fracturing of three to five
(35%) percent of the principle coffee sugar sucrose, too light a roast for consumption
but one that could be identified as coffee-like in a double blind tasting.
Most coffee is roasted between scores of 25 and 75, with commercial scores primarily
between 55 and 75, and specialty scores in the range of 25 to 55. As a reference, the
character of one of the more pronounced classifications, French Roast, begins to develop
at a score of about 35, while Cinnamon classification, often used when sample roasting to
exaggerate cup defects, is between a score of 85 and 90.

CONCLUSION
Roasters need a measurement system that can accurately determine roast development
relative to cup character. The E20CP evaluates selected compounds in roasted coffee that
relate linearly to beverage olfactory and organoleptic development. This method of
analysis is not sensitive to color anomalies and provides an accurate classification of
roast development as it relates to sensory assessment.

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E20CP VERSION IR126CS 01/25/05

I. INITIAL SET-UP

Carefully remove the analyzer from the shipping box.

Inspect the analyzer for any sign of shipping damage.

Contact Agtron immediately if any damage is apparent. A shipping claim for damage
will need to be filed as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT: Keep the box and all packing material. Any unit returned to Agtron
for service must be shipped in the original packaging or Agtron will not accept the
unit.

The carton contains the following items: - One E20CP analyzer
- One Power Cord with surge protector
- One Life Disk
- Two Plastic Sample Dishes
- One Two-Sided Calibration Disk Set
- One Metal Sample Dish Tray
- This Operation Manual

Place the Agtron analyzer on a clean level surface.

Keep the cooling fan vent on the back of the unit free of obstruction.

Avoid placing the unit where it will be in direct sunlight.

Remove the large disk from the box marked LIFE DISK.

Fully open the sample drawer by pulling it straight out until it hits the
bumper stop.

Place the LIFE DISK in place under the drawer with the handle facing
down, flat side up, so that the disk handle fits into the mating hole in the
bottom of the analyzer. The life disk may have marks or scratches on the
surface. This is normal and will not affect performance.

NOTE: The life disk should be cleaned periodically. To clean the disk, remove it from
the analyzer and wipe it with a soft cloth and a 10% solution of Windex and distilled
water.

Place the rectangular sample dish tray into the cutout on the sample drawer top so that it
recesses into the cutout.

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NOTE: The sample dish holder should always remain in the analyzer to protect the LIFE
DISK from over-exposure by the internal light source. It should only be removed for
periodic cleaning. Always keep the sample drawer in the fully closed position when not
in use. Always keep the sample dish holder installed in the sample drawer.

Fully close the sample drawer.

Connect the AC power cord to its mating socket on the back of the unit. The power cord
is supplied with a surge protector attached. It is strongly recommended that you use this
surge protector.

Make certain that the plug is firmly seated.

WARNING: Before connecting the analyzer to mains power, check the serial number
tag to confirm that the unit is correctly configured for both your Mains Voltage and
Frequency. Contact Agtron immediately if a power incompatibility exists. Do not
attempt to connect to either an incorrect Voltage or Frequency line. Use only a 3-prong
earth grounded connection. Do not bypass the power cord grounding pin or serious
electrical shock to the operator and damage to the unit may occur.

Connect the unit to AC mains power.

NOTE: The E20CP VEX III has no ON / OFF power switch and will power-up as soon
as it is connected to mains power. Always leave the unit on (connected to power). The
E20CP VEX III uses very little power, about as much power as a 15-watt light bulb.

IMPORTANT !!! Press the Re-Start Button on the back of the unit.
(this sets up the computer for use)

The display should activate and begin timing a 45-minute warm-up period.

Your company name will appear on the display along with the unit serial number and
other information.

The display will repeat / cycle the startup display information until the 45-minute warm-
up period is over.

At the end of the warm-up period, the display will show:

<<< COFFEE MODE >>>

Contact Agtron immediately if the Display does not show <<< COFFEE MODE >>>
following the initial warm-up period.
Internal shipping damage may have occurred and a damage claim will need to be filed
as soon as possible.

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II. SETTING THE DATE & TIME

Momentarily depress the DATE key on the function keypad.
Current time and date settings will be displayed on the top of the display as follows:

XX:XX:XX XX/XX/XXX

The time is displayed in the 2400hour format.

The bottom of the display will alternate between the following two statements:

SKIP QUITS ANY TIME
- and -
PRESS F1 TO CHANGE

If the date and time displayed are correct, depress the SKIP key on the function keypad
to save the settings and exit the Date & Time function.

IF you wish to change the Date & Time displayed, depress the F1 key.

The display will show: YEAR (YY):

Using the numeric keypad, enter the last two digits of the year (2003 would be 03).

The display will show: MONTH (MM):

Enter the month in two-digit format (April would be 04, October would be 10).

The display will show: DAY (DD):

Enter the day of the month in two-digit format.

The display will show: 24 HOUR (HH):

Enter the current hour in 24hour format (7 am would be 07, 10 am would be 10, 2 pm
would be 14, 12 pm / midnight would be 24).

The display will show: MINUTE: (mm):

Enter the current time minutes in two-digit format.

The display will now show the new Date & Time settings. To change the settings, press
the F1 key. To keep the settings, and exit the Date & Time program, press the SKIP key.


III. STANDARD CALIBRATION PROCEDURE FOR COMMERCIAL SCALE
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The E20CP VEX III automatically calibrates each time the sample drawer is opened.
It reads the LIFE DISK under the drawer and adjusts to an established reference.
This reference is determined and stored during the REFERENCE CALIBRATION
procedur