Predictika · Finned tube heat exchanger coil orders

An AI sales agent's heat transfer coil order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for finned tube coils for a fictional building owner: the coil type, medium, fin style and material, tube material and wall, header, casing, connections, number of rows, size, design pressure and temperature, a delivery promise, a discount and the total it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of how an Aerofin coil is configured and priced, and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Aerofin coil orders: Energy Flow plate fin and Aerofin spiral fin water, glycol and steam coils with fins, tubes, headers, casing, connections, pressure, temperature, size, lead time, discount and total. See everything this validator covers

This validator models Aerofin coil orders, not just the scenarios shown. An asterisk marks an item that is illustrative.

  • Coil types — Energy Flow plate fin types W, WD, WR, WRC, HW, HWP, HD and HM; Aerofin spiral fin types C, CD, R, RC, CP, CDP, RP, RCP, CH, MP, FNF, ANF, CHP, CHS, FLEX and AFLEX.
  • Fins — flat, star and wave plate fins; edgewound, footed L, overlapped L, embedded and extruded spiral fins; aluminum, copper, carbon steel and stainless steel where each style offers them.
  • Construction — 5/8 inch or 1 inch tubes with standard walls, copper, copper-nickel, aluminum, carbon steel or stainless steel tubes, headers, galvanized, stainless or aluminum casing, NPT, Victaulic, butt weld or flanged connections.
  • Ratings — 250 psig and 400 degrees F standard, 100 psig and 160 degrees F for removable-header coils, custom designs beyond.
  • Commercial* — unit prices, size limits, a delivery promise against the usual lead time, rep discount authority and the stated total.

Any Aerofin coil order that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: Aeromix face and bypass coils, process gas coolers, transformer oil coolers, fan/coil units, nuclear coils, direct expansion coils, Ampco-Pittsburgh pumps and air handling, freight and taxes. Coil type names, tube sizes and walls, fin styles and materials, header, casing and connection options and the pressure and temperature limits come from Aerofin's published General Products Catalog; prices and the other rules are modeled, not published by Aerofin. See the fine print at the end of the page.

The AI sales agentBuilds the coil order 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
Fin styles that exist only for one coil familyOnly with care
Plate fin and spiral fin types take different fin styles, and each style takes only some fin materials; the lists have to be kept in step.		Coil type, fin style and fin material are in one request and checked together.
Pressure and temperature limits that differ by coil typeOnly with workarounds
Removable-header coils have a lower rating than the rest, and the limit sits across type, pressure and temperature fields.		All of the coil's choices travel together and every limit is checked on every call.
Row counts that depend on the coil typeOnly with care
One-row, two-row and twelve-row limits each belong to different types and end up as separate rules per type.		The type and the rows are checked together on every call.
A delivery promise shorter than the usual lead timeOnly with care
A promised date compared with a lead time takes a rule someone writes and keeps in step.		The promise travels with the order and is compared with the lead time on every call.
A stated total that must equal the unit price times quantity, less discountOnly with care
Price rules can compute it, but the figure the agent stated has to be compared by a rule someone writes and maintains.		The stated total travels with the order and is compared with the computed total on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order 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 order; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1Plate fin coil types take flat, star or wave fins and spiral fin coil types take edgewound, footed L, overlapped L, embedded or extruded fins.
2The selected fin material is not offered with this fin style.
3Embedded fins are available on 1 inch OD tubes only.
4This coil type is a steam heating coil; water and glycol need a water coil type.
5Cleanable removable-header coils are rated for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less and are not offered for steam.
6Removable-header coils are for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less; the order is for 120 psig and 200 degrees F.
7Removable-header coils are for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less; the order is for 150 psig and 180 degrees F.
8Standard coils are for 250 psig and 400 degrees F or less; the order is for 300 psig and 200 degrees F and needs a custom engineered design.
9Standard coils are for 250 psig and 400 degrees F or less; the order is for 150 psig and 450 degrees F and needs a custom engineered design.
10A design pressure of 2,000 psig is beyond the 1,500 psig special designs in the catalog.
113 rows is not offered for this coil type; heating coils come in 1 or 2 rows (HM only 1, CHS only 2) and cooling coils up to 12.
122 rows is not offered for this coil type; heating coils come in 1 or 2 rows (HM only 1, CHS only 2) and cooling coils up to 12.
131 rows is not offered for this coil type; heating coils come in 1 or 2 rows (HM only 1, CHS only 2) and cooling coils up to 12.
1413 rows is not offered for this coil type; heating coils come in 1 or 2 rows (HM only 1, CHS only 2) and cooling coils up to 12.
15A tube wall of 0.015 inch is thinner than the standard 0.020 inch.
16A tube wall of 0.020 inch is thinner than the standard 0.025 inch.
1712 fins per inch is outside the range offered for this fin family.
185 fins per inch is outside the range offered for this fin family.
19A finned length of 150 inches by a height of 30 inches is outside the sizes offered (12 to 144 by 6 to 96).
20A finned length of 60 inches by a height of 4 inches is outside the sizes offered (12 to 144 by 6 to 96).
21Duct booster coils have threaded female connections at the tube ends; other connection types are not offered.
22This tube material may need welded joints instead of brazed; a person should confirm the construction with the factory.
23The selected header material is not standard for this coil type; a person should confirm it is available.
24The coil face is over 80 square feet; a person should confirm shipping and casing support.
25An order of 50 coils is a large release; a person should confirm shop capacity.
26Delivery is promised in 10 days; coils are built to order and the quickest lead time is 14 days.
27Delivery is promised in 20 days, sooner than the usual lead time of 35 days; a person should confirm the factory can meet it.
28A discount of 8 percent is above the 5 percent a sales rep can give; a person should approve it.
29A discount of 12 percent is above the 10 percent that can be approved.
30The order states a total of $4,900.00; the validator computes $5,100.00.

  

  

    
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. Coil type, medium and fins: A cleanable type R coil on steam with star fins and a thin tube wall

    
The agent's request. Please order 2 Aerofin type R coils for steam, 6 rows, star aluminum fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 60 inches by 30 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days. The order states a total of $5,700.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Fin style does not belong to the coil family. Plate fin coil types take flat, star or wave fins and spiral fin coil types take edgewound, footed L, overlapped L, embedded or extruded fins.
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  • Removable header coils are not for steam. Cleanable removable-header coils are rated for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less and are not offered for steam.
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  • Removable header coil over its rating. Removable-header coils are for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less; the order is for 150 psig and 200 degrees F.
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  • Tube wall thinner than standard. A tube wall of 0.020 inch is thinner than the standard 0.025 inch.
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  • Stated total does not match. The order states a total of $5,700.00; the validator computes $6,000.00.
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2. Coil type, medium and fins: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please order 2 Aerofin type FNF coils for steam, 2 rows, edgewound aluminum fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 60 inches by 30 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days. The order states a total of $2,100.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 coil(s) at $1,050.00 each; total $2,100.00 after discount.
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3. Fins, rows and discount: A chilled water coil with overlapped L stainless fins, 14 rows and a 12 percent discount

    
The agent's request. Please order 4 Aerofin type C coils for water, 14 rows, overlapped L stainless steel fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 96 inches by 48 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days, with a discount of 12 percent. The order states a total of $75,695.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Fin material not offered with this fin style. The selected fin material is not offered with this fin style.
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  • Row count not offered for this coil type. 14 rows is not offered for this coil type; heating coils come in 1 or 2 rows (HM only 1, CHS only 2) and cooling coils up to 12.
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  • Discount above what can be approved. A discount of 12 percent is above the 10 percent that can be approved.
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4. Fins, rows and discount: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please order 4 Aerofin type C coils for water, 10 rows, edgewound stainless steel fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 96 inches by 48 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days, with a discount of 8 percent. The order states a total of $56,525.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Discount above the rep limit. A discount of 8 percent is above the 5 percent a sales rep can give; a person should approve it.
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  • Order summary. 4 coil(s) at $15,360.00 each; total $56,525.00 after discount.
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5. Fins, rows and discount: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please order 4 Aerofin type C coils for water, 10 rows, edgewound stainless steel fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 96 inches by 48 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days, with a discount of 5 percent. The order states a total of $58,368.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 4 coil(s) at $15,360.00 each; total $58,368.00 after discount.
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6. Duct booster connections and delivery: A duct booster coil with flanged connections and delivery in 10 days

    
The agent's request. Please order 6 Aerofin type HWP coils for water, 2 rows, flat copper fins at 10 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and flanged connections, 36 inches by 24 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 10 days. The order states a total of $4,436.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Duct booster coils take threaded connections. Duct booster coils have threaded female connections at the tube ends; other connection types are not offered.
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  • Delivery promised too soon. Delivery is promised in 10 days; coils are built to order and the quickest lead time is 14 days.
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  • Stated total does not match. The order states a total of $4,436.00; the validator computes $4,536.00.
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7. Duct booster connections and delivery: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please order 6 Aerofin type HWP coils for water, 2 rows, flat copper fins at 10 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall, carbon steel headers, galvanized steel casing and NPT-M connections, 36 inches by 24 inches, designed for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. Delivery is promised in 35 days. The order states a total of $2,016.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 6 coil(s) at $336.00 each; total $2,016.00 after discount.
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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 an order for finned tube coils for a fictional building owner: the coil type, medium, fin style and material, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of how an Aerofin coil is configured and priced, and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please order 2 Aerofin type R coils for steam, 6 rows, star aluminum fins at 8 fins per inch, copper tubes with a 0.020 inch wall. Delivery is promised in 35 days. The rest of the request is on screen. The order states a total of $5,700.00.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with five findings, all in one answer. Plate fin coil types take flat, star or wave fins and spiral fin coil types take edgewound, footed L, overlapped L, embedded or extruded fins. Cleanable removable-header coils are rated for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less and are not offered for steam. Removable-header coils are for 100 psig and 160 degrees F or less; the order is for 150 psig and 200 degrees F. The other two are on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned five blocking findings 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 order are checked against each other and against the stated total.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for fin styles that exist only for one coil family, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the coil type to FNF, the fin style to edgewound, the rows to 2 and the stated total to $2,100.00.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
    12. 
      
  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote, on screen.
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  13. All five earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $2,100.00, matches the order.
    14. 
      
  14. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $2,100.00 order. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    15.