Predictika · Hot-dip galvanizing

An AI sales agent's hot-dip galvanizing job, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a hot-dip galvanizing job for an AZZ plant: which plant, how big the part is, what kind of member it is, and the venting, weld and suspension details. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against the kettle sizes and design-for-galvanizing rules AZZ publishes and returns a verdict and every finding at once.

Scope: Hot-dip galvanizing jobs at eight AZZ plants (Tulsa, Plymouth, Canton, Crowley, Joliet, Minneapolis, Reno and Louisville): part size against the plant's kettle, vent and drain holes, end openings, skip-weld gaps, suspension holes and steel silicon. See everything this validator covers

This validator models galvanizing jobs for the AZZ documents it was built from, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Kettle fit — the part's length, width and depth as hung against the kettle length, width and depth AZZ lists for the chosen plant, and a kettle length stated on the quote against the AZZ figure.
  • Venting — pipe assemblies (vent holes at least 25 percent of the inside diameter and never under 3/8 inch; end openings at least 30 percent of the inside area for pipe of 3 inches and larger, 45 percent for smaller pipe) and square or rectangular tube (vent holes at least 15 percent of the section area).
  • Weld and handling details — skip-weld gaps of more than 3/32 inch and suspension holes of at least 3/8 inch.
  • Steel — silicon outside AZZ's preferred bands (below 0.04 percent, or 0.15 to 0.23 percent) goes to a person, because the coating will be thicker and darker.

Any galvanizing job at these eight plants that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (AZZ publishes none, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), the other AZZ plants, spin galvanizing, coil and precoat metals, progressive dipping, crane and weight limits, coating thickness requirements, and the overlapping-surface vent hole tables on AZZ's poster, which are not consistent enough to model. Part size is compared with the kettle size as AZZ lists it, with no allowance for clearance, because AZZ publishes none.

The AI sales agentBuilds the galvanizing job from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Part against the kettle at each plantOnly with workarounds
Each plant has its own kettle length, width and depth, so a rules-based CPQ needs a plant table and a comparison rule that is edited whenever a plant changes.		The plant is part of the job, so the part is compared with that plant's kettle on every call.
Stated kettle lengthOnly with care
A kettle length typed into a quote is free text in most quotes; nothing checks it against the plant.		The stated length is compared with the AZZ figure for the plant.
Venting rules that depend on pipe sizeOnly with workarounds
End openings of 30 percent for pipe of 3 inches and larger and 45 percent for smaller pipe, and holes of a quarter of the inside diameter, need a rule for each size band and member type.		The percentages are computed from the inside diameter and member type on every call.
Silicon bandsOnly with care
Preferred silicon is two bands with a gap between them; a single minimum-maximum field lets the middle case through.		Both bands are checked and anything outside them goes to a person.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the job is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The part is 673 inches long and the kettle at this plant is 672 inches long.
2The part is 64 inches wide and the kettle at this plant is 63 inches wide.
3The part is 97 inches deep as hung and the kettle at this plant is 96 inches deep.
4The part is 690 inches long and the kettle at this plant is 672 inches long.
5The part is 85 inches deep as hung and the kettle at this plant is 84 inches deep.
6The part is 500 inches long and the kettle at this plant is 408 inches long.
7The part is 80 inches wide and the kettle at this plant is 72 inches wide.
8The part is 100 inches deep as hung and the kettle at this plant is 96 inches deep.
9The quote states a kettle length of 56 feet; AZZ lists 55 feet for this plant.
10The vent holes in the pipe are 0.875 inches across; AZZ asks for at least 25 percent of the pipe inside diameter (4 inches) and never less than 3/8 inch.
11The vent holes in the pipe are 0.3125 inches across; AZZ asks for at least 25 percent of the pipe inside diameter (1 inches) and never less than 3/8 inch.
12The openings at each end of the pipe are 29 percent of its inside area; AZZ asks for at least 30 percent for pipe of 3 inches and larger and 45 percent for smaller pipe (inside diameter 4 inches).
13The openings at each end of the pipe are 44 percent of its inside area; AZZ asks for at least 30 percent for pipe of 3 inches and larger and 45 percent for smaller pipe (inside diameter 2.5 inches).
14The vent holes in the square or rectangular tube are 14 percent of its section area; AZZ asks for at least 15 percent.
15The skip-weld gap is 0.09375 inches; AZZ requires a gap of more than 3/32 inch so cleaning solutions and zinc can reach all surfaces.
16The suspension holes are 1/4 inch across; AZZ asks that they be sufficient for the size and weight of the part and never less than 3/8 inch.
17The steel has 0.1 percent silicon; AZZ says the best coatings come from silicon below 0.04 percent or between 0.15 and 0.23 percent, and other steels usually give a thicker, darker coating, so a person should confirm the customer accepts that appearance.
18The steel has 0.3 percent silicon; AZZ says the best coatings come from silicon below 0.04 percent or between 0.15 and 0.23 percent, and other steels usually give a thicker, darker coating, so a person should confirm the customer accepts that appearance.
19The part is 70 inches wide and the kettle at this plant is 63 inches wide.
20The part is 700 inches long and the kettle at this plant is 672 inches long.
21The quote states a kettle length of 60 feet; AZZ lists 56 feet for this plant.
22The vent holes in the pipe are 1/2 inch across; AZZ asks for at least 25 percent of the pipe inside diameter (4 inches) and never less than 3/8 inch.
23The openings at each end of the pipe are 20 percent of its inside area; AZZ asks for at least 30 percent for pipe of 3 inches and larger and 45 percent for smaller pipe (inside diameter 4 inches).
24The skip-weld gap is 0.05 inches; AZZ requires a gap of more than 3/32 inch so cleaning solutions and zinc can reach all surfaces.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Long truss and the plant: A long steel truss for the Tulsa plant, with a stated kettle length of 58 feet

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize an open structural section at the AZZ Tulsa, Oklahoma plant, 696 inches long, 60 inches wide and 80 inches deep as hung. The steel has 0.02 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 58 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Part longer than the kettle. The part is 696 inches long and the kettle at this plant is 672 inches long.
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  • Stated kettle length does not match AZZ. The quote states a kettle length of 58 feet; AZZ lists 56 feet for this plant.
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2. Long truss and the plant: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize an open structural section at the AZZ Crowley, Texas plant, 696 inches long, 60 inches wide and 80 inches deep as hung. The steel has 0.02 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 58 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Kettle at this plant. The kettle at this plant is 58 feet long, 90 inches wide and 120 inches deep.
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3. Pipe handrail venting: Pipe handrail assemblies with 3/4 inch vent holes and end openings of 25 percent

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize a pipe assembly at the AZZ Plymouth, Indiana plant, 240 inches long, 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep as hung. The pipe has a 4 inch inside diameter, vent holes of 3/4 inch and end openings of 25 percent of the inside area. The steel has 0.02 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 45 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Pipe vent or drain holes too small. The vent holes in the pipe are 3/4 inch across; AZZ asks for at least 25 percent of the pipe inside diameter (4 inches) and never less than 3/8 inch.
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  • Pipe end openings too small. The openings at each end of the pipe are 25 percent of its inside area; AZZ asks for at least 30 percent for pipe of 3 inches and larger and 45 percent for smaller pipe (inside diameter 4 inches).
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4. Pipe handrail venting: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize a pipe assembly at the AZZ Plymouth, Indiana plant, 240 inches long, 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep as hung. The pipe has a 4 inch inside diameter, vent holes of 1 inch and end openings of 40 percent of the inside area. The steel has 0.02 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 45 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Kettle at this plant. The kettle at this plant is 45 feet long, 72 inches wide and 96 inches deep.
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5. Tube frame details: A skip-welded square tube frame with small vent holes, a narrow gap and small suspension holes

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize a square or rectangular tube at the AZZ Louisville, Kentucky plant, 360 inches long, 48 inches wide and 60 inches deep as hung. The vent holes are 10 percent of the section area. It is skip welded with a gap of 1/16 inch. The suspension holes are 1/4 inch. The steel has 0.1 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 42 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Square tube vent area too small. The vent holes in the square or rectangular tube are 10 percent of its section area; AZZ asks for at least 15 percent.
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  • Skip-weld gap too small. The skip-weld gap is 1/16 inch; AZZ requires a gap of more than 3/32 inch so cleaning solutions and zinc can reach all surfaces.
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  • Suspension hole too small. The suspension holes are 1/4 inch across; AZZ asks that they be sufficient for the size and weight of the part and never less than 3/8 inch.
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  • Reactive steel silicon level. The steel has 0.1 percent silicon; AZZ says the best coatings come from silicon below 0.04 percent or between 0.15 and 0.23 percent, and other steels usually give a thicker, darker coating, so a person should confirm the customer accepts that appearance.
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6. Tube frame details: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize a square or rectangular tube at the AZZ Louisville, Kentucky plant, 360 inches long, 48 inches wide and 60 inches deep as hung. The vent holes are 20 percent of the section area. It is skip welded with a gap of 1/8 inch. The suspension holes are 1/2 inch. The steel has 0.1 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 42 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Reactive steel silicon level. The steel has 0.1 percent silicon; AZZ says the best coatings come from silicon below 0.04 percent or between 0.15 and 0.23 percent, and other steels usually give a thicker, darker coating, so a person should confirm the customer accepts that appearance.
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  • Kettle at this plant. The kettle at this plant is 42 feet long, 60 inches wide and 84 inches deep.
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7. Tube frame details: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please galvanize a square or rectangular tube at the AZZ Louisville, Kentucky plant, 360 inches long, 48 inches wide and 60 inches deep as hung. The vent holes are 20 percent of the section area. It is skip welded with a gap of 1/8 inch. The suspension holes are 1/2 inch. The steel has 0.2 percent silicon. The quote says the kettle there is 42 feet long. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Kettle at this plant. The kettle at this plant is 42 feet long, 60 inches wide and 84 inches deep.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a hot-dip galvanizing job for an AZZ plant: which plant, how big the part is, what kind of member it is, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against the kettle sizes and design-for-galvanizing rules AZZ publishes and returns a verdict and every finding at once.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please galvanize a square or rectangular tube at the AZZ Louisville, Kentucky plant, 360 inches long, 48 inches wide and 60 inches deep as hung. The vent holes are 10 percent of the section area. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with three findings and one approval, all in one answer. The vent holes in the square or rectangular tube are 10 percent of its section area; AZZ asks for at least 15 percent. The skip-weld gap is 1/16 inch; AZZ requires a gap of more than 3/32 inch so cleaning solutions and zinc can reach all surfaces. The suspension holes are 1/4 inch across; AZZ asks that they be sufficient for the size and weight of the part and never less than 3/8 inch.
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  6. The validator returned three blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for silicon bands, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the vent holes to 20, the skip-weld gap to 1/8 and the suspension holes to 1/2.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Not blocked, but held for a person.
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  12. The three blocking findings are cleared; one approval remains for a person: reactive steel silicon level.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the steel silicon to 0.2.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared.
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  18. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.