Predictika · Laboratory instrument configuration: laser scattering particle size analyzer

An AI sales agent's particle size analyzer configuration, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a configuration for a laser scattering particle size analyzer: the model variant, its circulation system, optional accessories, the dispersant and the particle sizes the customer needs to measure. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published model, accessory and measuring-range information and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: HORIBA Partica LA-960V2 configurations: model variant, circulation system, accessories, dispersant type, measuring method and particle size range. See everything this validator covers

This validator models configurations of one instrument family, the HORIBA Partica LA-960V2 series (LA-960N2, LA-960A2, LA-960S2, LA-960W2 and LA-960L2), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Model variants and circulation systems — the LA-960N2 has no circulation system, the A2 has the standard water-type system, the S2 the solvent-type pump system, the W2 the pressurized fill adapter and peristaltic pump system, and the L2 the liter flow system; an accessory that belongs to another variant's system is blocked.
  • Accessories — the auto sampler and the imaging analysis unit are not offered with the LA-960N2; the dry unit, Mini-Flow with ultrasonic unit, fraction cell holder, paste cell holder and high concentration cell are listed for every variant. Measuring dry powder, small volumes or by image analysis needs the matching accessory on the order.
  • Dispersant and measuring range — water-type systems take water (with small amounts of ethanol) and the solvent-type system takes common organic solvents; the particle sizes to be measured must fall inside the range of the chosen method (wet circulation 0.01 to 3,000 µm, dry unit 0.1 to 5,000 µm, Mini-Flow 0.01 to 1,000 µm, image analysis 5 to 1,000 µm), and the range stated on the quote is compared with it.
  • Additional accessories — the vacuum sampler and coated chute are listed as additional accessories without a model list, so adding them goes to a person.

Any configuration of these variants is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (no public price list was found, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), the fraction cell volumes, optics and light-source details, software, service and regional terms, and other HORIBA analyzers.

The AI sales agentBuilds the analyzer configuration 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
Accessories that depend on the model variantOnly with care
Each variant includes a different circulation system and some accessories are not offered on one variant, so each needs a per-variant rule that has to stay in step as the range changes.		The variant and the accessories arrive together; every accessory is checked against the chosen variant on every call.
A measuring method that needs its own accessoryOnly with care
Dry, small-volume and image measurement each need an accessory on the order; a product rule can require it, but each method needs its own rule.		The method and the accessories are in one request and checked together, whichever order they arrive in.
A particle size range that depends on the methodOnly with workarounds
The usable range depends on the measuring method, and the customer's sizes are compared with it, so the range is a cross-line calculation rather than a simple product rule.		The range is computed from the method and the sizes are checked against it on every call.
Stated measuring range that must match the methodOnly with care
A stated figure is a free-entry field; a rule can compare it with the computed range, but someone has to write and maintain that comparison.		The stated range travels with the configuration and is compared with the computed range 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 quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The quote measures with a wet circulation system, but the LA-960N2 does not include one.
2The auto sampler is not available with the LA-960N2.
3The imaging analysis unit is not available with the LA-960N2.
4The pressurized fill adapter belongs to the LA-960W2 circulation system; the selected model is a different one.
5The peristaltic pump system belongs to the LA-960W2 circulation system; the selected model is a different one.
6The liter flow system belongs to the LA-960L2; the selected model is a different one.
7The quote measures dry powder, but the dry unit is not on the order.
8The quote measures small volumes with MiniFlow, but Mini-Flow with ultrasonic unit is not on the order.
9The quote measures with image analysis, but the imaging analysis unit is not on the order.
10The quote uses a water-based dispersant, but the LA-960S2 has the solvent-type circulation system for organic solvents.
11The quote uses an organic solvent, but the selected model has a water-type circulation system; solvents need the LA-960S2.
12The smallest particle to be measured is 9 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 10 nm.
13The largest particle to be measured is 3,000,001 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 3,000,000 nm.
14The smallest particle to be measured is 99 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 100 nm.
15The largest particle to be measured is 5,000,001 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 5,000,000 nm.
16The largest particle to be measured is 1,000,001 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 1,000,000 nm.
17The smallest particle to be measured is 4,999 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 5,000 nm.
18The quote states a measuring range of 100 to 3,000,000 nm; the selected method gives 10 to 3,000,000 nm.
19The quote states a measuring range of 10 to 5,000,000 nm; the selected method gives 10 to 3,000,000 nm.
20The vacuum sampler and coated chute are listed as additional accessories, but the public pages do not say which models take them; a person should confirm availability.
21The quote states a measuring range of 100 to 5,000,000 nm; the selected method gives 10 to 3,000,000 nm.

  

  

    
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. Dispersant and particle size range: An LA-960A2 with an organic solvent and particles from 5 nm to 4,000,000 nm

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960A2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with an organic solvent, for particles from 5 nm to 4,000,000 nm, with the auto sampler. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 5,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Organic solvent on a water-type model. The quote uses an organic solvent, but the selected model has a water-type circulation system; solvents need the LA-960S2.
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  • Smallest particle below the measuring range. The smallest particle to be measured is 5 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 10 nm.
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  • Largest particle above the measuring range. The largest particle to be measured is 4,000,000 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 3,000,000 nm.
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  • Stated measuring range does not match. The quote states a measuring range of 10 to 5,000,000 nm; the selected method gives 10 to 3,000,000 nm.
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2. Dispersant and particle size range: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960S2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with an organic solvent, for particles from 10 nm to 4,000,000 nm, with the auto sampler. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 3,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Largest particle above the measuring range. The largest particle to be measured is 4,000,000 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 3,000,000 nm.
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3. Dispersant and particle size range: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960S2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with an organic solvent, for particles from 10 nm to 2,500,000 nm, with the auto sampler. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 3,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Measuring range. Measuring range of the selected method 10 to 3,000,000 nm.
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4. Model variant and accessories: An LA-960N2 ordered with wet circulation, an auto sampler and a peristaltic pump system

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960N2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with a water-based dispersant, for particles from 1,000 nm to 500,000 nm, with the auto sampler and the peristaltic pump system. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 3,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Wet circulation not available on this model. The quote measures with a wet circulation system, but the LA-960N2 does not include one.
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  • Auto sampler not offered on the LA-960N2. The auto sampler is not available with the LA-960N2.
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  • Peristaltic pump system needs the LA-960W2. The peristaltic pump system belongs to the LA-960W2 circulation system; the selected model is a different one.
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5. Model variant and accessories: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960W2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with a water-based dispersant, for particles from 1,000 nm to 500,000 nm, with the auto sampler and the peristaltic pump system. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 3,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Measuring range. Measuring range of the selected method 10 to 3,000,000 nm.
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6. Dry powder and additional accessories: An LA-960L2 measuring dry powder with no dry unit and a vacuum sampler

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960L2 particle size analyzer for a dry powder measurement, for particles from 50 nm to 6,000,000 nm, with the liter flow system and the vacuum sampler and coated chute. The quote states a measuring range of 100 nm to 5,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Dry unit missing. The quote measures dry powder, but the dry unit is not on the order.
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  • Smallest particle below the measuring range. The smallest particle to be measured is 50 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 100 nm.
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  • Largest particle above the measuring range. The largest particle to be measured is 6,000,000 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 5,000,000 nm.
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  • Vacuum sampler or coated chute to confirm. The vacuum sampler and coated chute are listed as additional accessories, but the public pages do not say which models take them; a person should confirm availability.
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7. Dry powder and additional accessories: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960L2 particle size analyzer for a dry powder measurement, for particles from 100 nm to 5,000,000 nm, with the dry unit, the liter flow system and the vacuum sampler and coated chute. The quote states a measuring range of 100 nm to 5,000,000 nm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Vacuum sampler or coated chute to confirm. The vacuum sampler and coated chute are listed as additional accessories, but the public pages do not say which models take them; a person should confirm availability.
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  • Measuring range. Measuring range of the selected method 100 to 5,000,000 nm.
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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 configuration for a laser scattering particle size analyzer: the model variant, its circulation system, optional accessories, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published model, accessory and measuring-range information 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 quote a HORIBA Partica LA-960A2 particle size analyzer for a wet circulation measurement with an organic solvent, for particles from 5 nm to 4,000,000 nm, with the auto sampler. The quote states a measuring range of 10 nm to 5,000,000 nm. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. The quote uses an organic solvent, but the selected model has a water-type circulation system; solvents need the LA-960S2. The smallest particle to be measured is 5 nm; the selected measuring method starts at 10 nm. The largest particle to be measured is 4,000,000 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 3,000,000 nm. The other one is on screen.
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  6. The validator returned four 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 quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for stated measuring range that must match the method, 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 analyzer model to LA-960S2, the smallest particle to 10 nm and the stated measuring range to 10 to 3,000,000.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The largest particle to be measured is 4,000,000 nm; the selected measuring method reaches 3,000,000 nm.
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  12. Three findings cleared; still blocked on largest particle above the measuring range.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the largest particle to 2,500,000 nm.
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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, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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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.
    19.