Predictika · Motion control

An AI sales agent's strain wave gear selection, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a CSF or CSG strain wave gear selection for a robot joint or a positioning axis: the series, size and ratio, the torques the application needs, the input speeds, the lubrication, the load on the output bearing of a housed unit, and the rated torque it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the ratings in the public Harmonic Drive catalog and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: CSF and CSG strain wave gears: the 117 published size and ratio rows, torque ratings, input speed limits for grease and oil, and the moment load of housed units. See everything this validator covers

This validator models a CSF or CSG strain wave gear selection, based on the ratings tables in the public Harmonic Drive CSF/CSG catalog, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Published size and ratio rows — the series, size and ratio must be a row the catalog lists (117 rows across CSF and CSG). Each row gives rated torque at 2000 rpm, the limit for average torque, the limit for repeated peak torque, the limit for momentary peak torque, and the maximum and average input speeds for oil and for grease lubrication.
  • Application loads — the average load torque, the repeated peak torque and the momentary peak torque the application needs, each compared with the limit for that row, and the maximum and average input speeds compared with the limits for the chosen lubrication.
  • Housed units — the catalog lists housed units (2UH) only for sizes 14 to 65. For a housed unit the radial and axial loads and their distances from the output bearing give a maximum load moment, which is compared with the allowable moment load for that size.
  • Stated rated torque and approvals — the rated torque the quote states must equal the catalog figure for the row. A customized specification (special shape or performance) goes to a person, and so does an oscillation angle under 5 degrees, where the catalog warns that lubrication may not circulate and fretting corrosion may occur.

Any CSF or CSG selection that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (the catalog has none, so this page shows no price build-up), other Harmonic Drive product families, wave generator life, the static safety factor, ratcheting and buckling torque, and real-world performance, which depends on how the gear is installed and used.

The AI sales agentSelects the gear 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
Click to expand
    
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
Only the size and ratio rows the catalog lists (117 rows)Only with workarounds
Each series, size and ratio has its own torque ratings and speed limits, and not every combination exists. A rules-based CPQ needs a compatibility table or one rule per row, and every catalog update means editing them.		Series, size and ratio arrive in one request and are matched to the published rows on every call.
Several torque and speed limits that all come from one rowOnly with care
Five limits on torque and speed are looked up from the chosen row, and the speed limits change with the lubrication. Each is a separate rule that depends on the lookup.		The row, the lubrication and every comparison are computed together on every call.
Moment load on a housed unitOnly with care
The moment depends on the radial and axial loads, their distances and a size-specific constant, and is then compared with a size-specific limit.		The moment and its limit are computed on every call from the request.
Rated torque the quote statesOnly with care
The stated figure is derived from the chosen row, so a rule has to look it up and compare.		The stated figure is a field in the request, compared with the catalog figure on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly 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.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
Click to expand
    
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 catalog lists no CSF gear of size 8 with a ratio of 80:1.
2The catalog lists no CSG gear of size 25 with a ratio of 30:1.
3The catalog lists no CSF gear of size 40 with a ratio of 30:1.
4The average load torque of 108.1 newton-meters is above the limit for average torque of 108 newton-meters.
5The repeated peak torque of 157.1 newton-meters is above the limit for repeated peak torque of 157 newton-meters.
6The momentary peak torque of 284.1 newton-meters is above the limit for momentary peak torque of 284 newton-meters.
7The maximum input speed of 5601 rpm is above the allowed maximum input speed of 5600 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
8The maximum input speed of 7501 rpm is above the allowed maximum input speed of 7500 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
9The average input speed of 3501 rpm is above the limit for average input speed of 3500 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
10The maximum load moment on the output bearing is above the allowable moment load of 156 newton-meters for this housed unit size.
11The maximum load moment on the output bearing is above the allowable moment load of 313 newton-meters for this housed unit size.
12The catalog lists housed units (2UH) only for sizes 14 to 65; size 8 is not listed as a housed unit.
13The catalog lists housed units (2UH) only for sizes 14 to 65; size 80 is not listed as a housed unit.
14The quote states a rated torque of 66.9 newton-meters at 2000 rpm; the catalog gives 67 newton-meters.
15The quote states a rated torque of 68 newton-meters at 2000 rpm; the catalog gives 67 newton-meters.
16A customized specification (special shape or performance) is outside the standard catalog ratings; a Harmonic Drive engineer should confirm it.
17An oscillation angle of 4 degrees is under 5 degrees; the catalog warns that lubrication may not circulate and fretting corrosion may occur.
18An oscillation angle of 2 degrees is under 5 degrees; the catalog warns that lubrication may not circulate and fretting corrosion may occur.
19The average load torque of 113 newton-meters is above the limit for average torque of 108 newton-meters.
20The repeated peak torque of 162 newton-meters is above the limit for repeated peak torque of 157 newton-meters.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
Click to expand
    
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. Repeated and momentary peak torque: A CSF size 25 component set for a heavy joint

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSF size 25 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 100 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 300 and a momentary peak torque of 600 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 2,500 rpm and a maximum of 4,000 rpm, lubricated with grease. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Repeated peak torque above the limit. The repeated peak torque of 300 newton-meters is above the limit for repeated peak torque of 157 newton-meters.
    • 
      
  • Momentary peak torque above the limit. The momentary peak torque of 600 newton-meters is above the limit for momentary peak torque of 284 newton-meters.
    • 
    

    
2. Repeated and momentary peak torque: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSF size 32 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 100 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 300 and a momentary peak torque of 600 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 2,500 rpm and a maximum of 4,000 rpm, lubricated with grease. The quote states a rated torque of 137 newton-meters at 2000 rpm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Selection summary. CSF size 32 with a ratio of 100:1, rated torque of 137 newton-meters at 2000 rpm, repeated peak torque limit of 333 newton-meters and momentary peak torque limit of 647 newton-meters.
    • 
    

    
3. Moment load on a housed unit: A CSG size 32 housed unit under a side load

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSG size 32 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a housed unit. The application has an average load torque of 250 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 420 and a momentary peak torque of 700 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 2,000 rpm and a maximum of 3,500 rpm, lubricated with grease. The output bearing carries a radial load of 2,000 newtons at 100 millimeters and an axial load of 1,000 newtons at 150 millimeters. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Output bearing moment load above the limit. The maximum load moment on the output bearing is above the allowable moment load of 313 newton-meters for this housed unit size.
    • 
    

    
4. Moment load on a housed unit: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSG size 40 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a housed unit. The application has an average load torque of 250 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 420 and a momentary peak torque of 700 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 2,000 rpm and a maximum of 3,500 rpm, lubricated with grease. The output bearing carries a radial load of 2,000 newtons at 100 millimeters and an axial load of 1,000 newtons at 150 millimeters. The quote states a rated torque of 345 newton-meters at 2000 rpm. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Selection summary. CSG size 40 with a ratio of 100:1, rated torque of 345 newton-meters at 2000 rpm, repeated peak torque limit of 738 newton-meters and momentary peak torque limit of 1,400 newton-meters.
    • 
    

    
5. Input speed and customized specification: A high-speed CSF size 25 on grease with a customized specification

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSF size 25 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 80 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 140 and a momentary peak torque of 250 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 4,000 rpm and a maximum of 6,500 rpm, lubricated with grease. The customer wants a customized specification. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Maximum input speed above the limit. The maximum input speed of 6500 rpm is above the allowed maximum input speed of 5600 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
    • 
      
  • Average input speed above the limit. The average input speed of 4000 rpm is above the limit for average input speed of 3500 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
    • 
      
  • Customized specification to confirm. A customized specification (special shape or performance) is outside the standard catalog ratings; a Harmonic Drive engineer should confirm it.
    • 
    

    
6. Input speed and customized specification: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSF size 25 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 80 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 140 and a momentary peak torque of 250 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 4,000 rpm and a maximum of 6,500 rpm, lubricated with oil. The customer wants a customized specification. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Customized specification to confirm. A customized specification (special shape or performance) is outside the standard catalog ratings; a Harmonic Drive engineer should confirm it.
    • 
      
  • Selection summary. CSF size 25 with a ratio of 100:1, rated torque of 67 newton-meters at 2000 rpm, repeated peak torque limit of 157 newton-meters and momentary peak torque limit of 284 newton-meters.
    • 
    

    
7. Input speed and customized specification: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a CSF size 25 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 80 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 140 and a momentary peak torque of 250 newton-meters. The input runs at an average of 4,000 rpm and a maximum of 6,500 rpm, lubricated with oil. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Selection summary. CSF size 25 with a ratio of 100:1, rated torque of 67 newton-meters at 2000 rpm, repeated peak torque limit of 157 newton-meters and momentary peak torque limit of 284 newton-meters.
    • 
    

  

  

    
Narration transcript
Click to expand
    
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a CSF or CSG strain wave gear selection for a robot joint or a positioning axis: the series, size and ratio, the torques the application needs, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the ratings in the public Harmonic Drive catalog 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 CSF size 25 strain wave gear with a ratio of 100:1 as a component set. The application has an average load torque of 80 newton-meters, a repeated peak torque of 140 and a momentary peak torque of 250 newton-meters. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with two findings and one approval, all in one answer. The maximum input speed of 6500 rpm is above the allowed maximum input speed of 5600 rpm for the chosen lubrication. The average input speed of 4000 rpm is above the limit for average input speed of 3500 rpm for the chosen lubrication.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned two 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.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for several torque and speed limits that all come from one row, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the lubrication to oil.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. Not blocked, but held for a person.
    12. 
      
  12. The two blocking findings are cleared; one approval remains for a person: customized specification to confirm.
    13. 
      
  13. The agent resubmits once more.
    14. 
      
  14. The revised request. It changes the customized specification to no.
    15. 
      
  15. It calls the validator once more.
    16. 
      
  16. This time the validator clears it.
    17. 
      
  17. The earlier finding is cleared.
    18. 
      
  18. Three 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.