Predictika · Industrial ovens and thermal processing
An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a batch of ovens: the oven model, electrical service, atmosphere, shelves, options and startup. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of Despatch's public product pages and spec sheets, together with the process the ovens must run, and returns a verdict, every reason and the total it computed.
This validator models a quote for Despatch laboratory, Class A and clean process ovens, based on the Despatch product pages and spec sheets for the LAC, LFC, LCC and LCD series and the benchtop oven stands. It handles any quote for these ovens, not just the scenarios shown. Where a rule is Despatch's published one it says so; prices and a few business limits are typical and labelled that way.
Any quote for these ovens that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: the LBB, RAD/RFD, RAF/RFF, PNF/PND, PBC and other lines, conveyor, walk-in and truck-in ovens, custom ovens, freight, installation, taxes and accessories other than those listed. The customers are fictional.
7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch
Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.
Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)
Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run
What this means
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 caught | Typical rules-based CPQ | Predictika |
|---|---|---|
| Options that depend on the oven model | Only with care Forced exhaust is an option on the LAC only, reinforced shelves are not available on the LAC1-38, nitrogen, silicone-free and HEPA options belong to the LCC and LCD, and stands exist for some models and not others. Each is a separate rule to keep in step with the catalog. | The oven model and every option are compared together on each call. |
| A process that has to fit the oven | Only with workarounds Maximum temperature (260 or 350 °C), uniformity that depends on the temperature band, load per oven and per shelf are facts about the customer's process, which a quote tool does not normally hold. | Temperature, uniformity, heat-up and loads are request fields checked against the published limits. |
| Flammable solvents need a Class A oven | Only with workarounds Whether the process uses flammable solvents is an application fact, not a product choice, so a standard quote tool will not connect it to the LFC Class A models. | The solvent flag is checked against the oven family; a Class A choice goes to a person to confirm the solvent load. |
| Electrical service by model | Only with care One model takes 120 V, most take 240 V single phase, the 2-14 cabinets take three phase, and a 208 V service needs a package or loses 25 percent of heater output. The dedicated circuit has to cover the full-load current. | Service, package and circuit are compared with the model on each call. |
| A stated total that has to agree with the equipment | Only with workarounds Options and startup come from many places and the total typed on the quote can drift from them without anyone noticing. | The total is computed from the choices and compared with the total the quote states. |
| A cycle faster than the published heat-up | Only with workarounds The guidance is a published no-load heat-up time, not a hard rule. Quote tools tend to either ignore it or block the quote outright. | The quote is not blocked; it goes to a person with the reason listed. |
| Every problem returned in one answer | Only with workarounds Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a person often fixes one error and meets the next. | All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in. |
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.
| 1 | The quoted electrical service is not one this oven is listed for; the LAC1-38 (120 V) takes 120 V single phase, the other LAC and LFC ovens and the benchtop LCC and LCD ovens take 240 V single phase (208 V with the 208 V package), and the LCC and LCD 2-14 take three phase 208, 240, 380, 415 or 480 V. |
| 2 | Despatch lists a 25 percent reduction in heater output on a 208 V single phase service unless the 208 V full performance package is used, and the quote does not include the package. |
| 3 | The dedicated circuit rated at 60 amps is below 125 percent of the oven full-load current of about 52 amps. |
| 4 | The process temperature of 261 °C is above the 260 °C maximum of this oven (260 °C for the LAC, LFC and LCC; 350 °C for the LCD). |
| 5 | The process uses flammable solvents, but only the LFC ovens carry the NFPA 86 Class A package; the LAC, LCC and LCD ovens are not to be used with flammable solvents, combustible materials or enclosed containers. |
| 6 | The process uses flammable solvents; the LFC Class A package is built to NFPA 86 for them, but a person confirms the solvent load and ventilation with Despatch before the quote goes out. |
| 7 | Forced exhaust is a listed option on the LAC ovens only (not Class A); the LFC Class A ovens and the LCC and LCD ovens already include an exhaust fan. |
| 8 | Reinforced 200 pound shelves are not available for the LAC1-38 and are not listed for the LCC and LCD ovens. |
| 9 | The quote calls for 18 shelves per oven (2 supplied plus the extras) but this oven holds at most 17. |
| 10 | A load of 51 pounds on one shelf is above the 50 pound shelf rating of this oven. |
| 11 | A total load of 301 pounds is above the 300 pound maximum load of this oven. |
| 12 | The nitrogen atmosphere includes a water cooling coil with programmable cooling-water control, and the site has no cooling water supply. |
| 13 | A nitrogen atmosphere is listed for the LCC and LCD clean process ovens only. |
| 14 | The process needs ISO Class 5 (Class 100) air, which Despatch lists only for the HEPA-filtered LCC and LCD clean process ovens; this quote has a different oven or a non-HEPA filter. |
| 15 | Silicone-free construction, the non-HEPA filter and the fast-rate HEPA filter are listed for the LCC and LCD clean process ovens only, and a fast-rate HEPA filter cannot go on a non-HEPA oven. |
| 16 | Despatch shows stacking up to three high for the LCC and LCD benchtop clean process ovens only; the quote stacks 4 ovens. |
| 17 | Despatch lists oven stands for the LAC1-38, 1-67, 2-12 and 2-18 and the benchtop LCC1-16 and 1-51; none is listed for the LAC2-27 or the LCC and LCD 2-14 cabinets, which stand on the floor. |
| 18 | A pass-through version is listed for the LCC and LCD 2-14 cabinet ovens only. |
| 19 | The process needs temperature uniformity of plus or minus 1 °C at 150 °C, tighter than the plus or minus 2 °C Despatch lists for this oven at that temperature. |
| 20 | The process asks for a heat-up rate of 5 °C per minute, and the no-load heat-up time Despatch publishes works out to about 4 °C per minute for this oven, so a person confirms the cycle with Despatch. |
| 21 | The quote has 0 ovens; at least one is needed. |
| 22 | Orders of 10 ovens or more are confirmed by a person before they are sent; this one has 10. |
| 23 | A discount of $3,320 on a list price of $64,400 is more than 5 percent and needs a manager to approve it. |
| 24 | A discount of $6,540 on a list price of $64,400 is more than the 10 percent limit. |
| 25 | The quote states a total of $59,400, but the ovens, options, startup and discount give $64,400. |
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.
The agent's request. Please quote 6 Despatch LCC2-14 clean process cabinet ovens on a 480 V three phase service, each with a nitrogen atmosphere, silicone-free construction, a fast-rate HEPA filter, a door interlock switch, a chart recorder, CE conformance and 3 extra shelves. The process runs at 300 degrees C with a heat-up of 8 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 4 degrees C, in ISO Class 5 air. Each oven carries 300 pounds in total, with up to 30 pounds on a shelf. The site has a 40 amp circuit and cooling water. The quote states a total of $424,860. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Blocked.
The agent's request. Please quote 6 Despatch LCD2-14 clean process cabinet ovens on a 480 V three phase service, each with a nitrogen atmosphere, silicone-free construction, a fast-rate HEPA filter, a door interlock switch, a chart recorder, CE conformance and 3 extra shelves. The process runs at 300 degrees C with a heat-up of 8 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 4 degrees C, in ISO Class 5 air. Each oven carries 300 pounds in total, with up to 30 pounds on a shelf. The site has a 40 amp circuit and cooling water. The quote states a total of $517,260. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Allowed.
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Despatch LAC1-38 ovens on a 240 V single phase service, each with reinforced 200 pound shelves, the Protocol 3 controller, a door interlock switch and 8 extra shelves. The process runs at 180 degrees C with a heat-up of 3 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 3 degrees C. Each oven carries 170 pounds in total, with up to 60 pounds on a shelf. The site has a 28 amp circuit. The quote states a total of $88,880. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Blocked.
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Despatch LAC2-18 ovens on a 240 V single phase service, each with reinforced 200 pound shelves, the Protocol 3 controller, a door interlock switch and 8 extra shelves. The process runs at 180 degrees C with a heat-up of 3 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 3 degrees C. Each oven carries 170 pounds in total, with up to 60 pounds on a shelf. The site has a 28 amp circuit. The quote states a total of $157,840. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Blocked.
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Despatch LAC1-67 ovens on a 240 V single phase service, each with reinforced 200 pound shelves, the Protocol 3 controller, a door interlock switch and 8 extra shelves. The process runs at 180 degrees C with a heat-up of 3 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 3 degrees C. Each oven carries 170 pounds in total, with up to 60 pounds on a shelf. The site has a 28 amp circuit. The quote states a total of $105,040. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Allowed.
The agent's request. Please quote 5 Despatch LAC2-27 ovens on a 240 V single phase service, each with an oven stand, the Protocol 3 controller, a door interlock switch, a chart recorder, CE conformance and 6 extra shelves. The process runs at 180 degrees C with a heat-up of 6 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 3 degrees C. It uses flammable solvents. Each oven carries 500 pounds in total, with up to 150 pounds on a shelf. The site has an 80 amp circuit. The quote states a total of $132,150. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Blocked.
The agent's request. Please quote 5 Despatch LFC2-27 Class A ovens on a 240 V single phase service, each with the Protocol 3 controller, a door interlock switch, a chart recorder, CE conformance and 6 extra shelves. The process runs at 180 degrees C with a heat-up of 6 degrees C per minute and temperature uniformity of plus or minus 3 degrees C. It uses flammable solvents. Each oven carries 500 pounds in total, with up to 150 pounds on a shelf. The site has an 80 amp circuit. The quote states a total of $208,700. It is ready to send.
Verdict: Needs approval.
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.