Predictika · Machining centre configuration orders

An AI sales agent's machining centre order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for a five-axis machining centre with its spindle, table, tool storage, automation and site power. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the configuration rules and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Hermle C 42 GEN2 and C 42 MT machining centres: spindles, tables, tool storage, automation, workpiece limits and site power. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for the Hermle C 42 GEN2 milling machine and the C 42 MT milling-turning machine, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Machine variant — the C 42 MT uses the HSK T 63 spindles (15,000, 16,000 or 20,000 rpm); the milling C 42 uses HSK A 63 (15,000, 16,000, 20,000 or 25,000 rpm) or HSK E 40 (42,000 rpm) spindles. The 750 mm MT table belongs to the C 42 MT, and turning is listed only on that table.
  • Tables and workpieces — each table carries a listed load (450 kg on the 440 mm tables, 850 kg on the 800 mm worm table, 1,400 kg on the 800 mm torque table, 1,400 kg milling or 700 kg turning on the MT table, 2,000 kg on the rigid table); workpieces are limited to 800 mm across and 560 mm high.
  • Tool storage and tools — 42 pockets as standard plus the ZM 30, ZM 50, ZM 88 k, ZM 216 and ZM 528 additional magazines (ZM 216 and ZM 528 not with the HSK E 40 spindle); tools up to 350 mm long, 8 kg (2.5 kg on HSK E 40), 80 mm across, or up to 125 mm across with the adjacent pockets left empty. The quote's stated pocket count is compared with what the machine and magazine hold.
  • Automation and site — the RS 1, RS 2, RS 3 and RS Linear robot systems, the PW 850 pallet changer and the HS flex, HS flex heavy and HS flex hybrid handling systems are listed for the C 42, each with its transport weight; mains connections of 400 V / 50 Hz or 460 V / 60 Hz and the machine's connected load of up to 57 kVA (61 kVA for the MT).

Any C 42 or C 42 MT order that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Hermle publishes no price list, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), the other Hermle models, cooling lubricant and chip handling options, and regional or export-licence terms.

The AI sales agentBuilds the machine 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
Spindle, table and turning that belong to one machine variantOnly with care
A product rule per variant. It works, but the HSK T 63 spindles, the MT table and turning each need their own rule and every new variant repeats the set.		The variant, spindle, table and turning choice are in one request and every pairing is checked together.
A table load that depends on the operation (700 kg turning, 1,400 kg milling on the same table)Only with workarounds
The limit depends on the table and on a choice on another line, so it needs a lookup that combines both and a comparison with the workpiece weight.		The limit is computed from the table and the operation on every call and compared with the workpiece weight.
Tool storage that depends on the machine, the magazine and the spindle interfaceOnly with care
Capacity, the heaviest tool and the large magazines each depend on a different choice; each needs its own calculation or rule.		Capacity, tool weight and magazine availability are computed together on every call.
Automation that is offered for some models and not others, with a weight limit for eachOnly with care
A list of allowed systems per model and a weight limit per system, maintained by hand as the range grows.		The automation choice is checked for the C 42 and its transport weight is compared with the workpiece in the same call.
Stated tool storage that must match the machineOnly with care
A stated figure is a free-entry field; a rule can compare it with a computed total, but someone has to write and maintain that comparison.		The stated figure travels with the order and is compared with the computed capacity 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 spindle on the quote is not offered on this machine variant; the C 42 MT uses the HSK T 63 spindles (15,000, 16,000 or 20,000 rpm) and the milling C 42 uses HSK A 63 or HSK E 40 spindles.
2The 750 mm MT table is a C 42 MT table; it is not offered on the milling C 42.
3Turning is quoted, but only the 750 mm MT table on the C 42 MT is listed for turning.
4The workpiece weighs 701 kg; the selected table carries at most 700 kg for this operation.
5The additional tool magazines ZM 216 and ZM 528 are listed for HSK A 63 and HSK T 63 only, not for the HSK E 40 spindle.
660 tools are needed, but the tool storage on the quote holds up to 42.
7The quote states a tool storage of 72 pockets, but the machine and magazine on it hold 42.
8The quote states a tool storage of 42 pockets, but the machine and magazine on it hold 92.
9The heaviest tool weighs 8,500 g; the limit for this spindle interface is 8,000 g.
10The heaviest tool weighs 3,000 g; the limit for this spindle interface is 2,500 g.
11The longest tool is 351 mm; the maximum tool length is 350 mm.
12A tool 100 mm across is wider than 80 mm; it fits only with the adjacent magazine pockets left empty, so a person should confirm the pocket allocation.
13The widest tool is 126 mm across; the maximum is 125 mm, and only with the adjacent pockets left empty.
14The workpiece is 801 mm across; the maximum workpiece diameter is 800 mm.
15The workpiece is 561 mm high; the maximum workpiece height is 560 mm.
16The workpiece weighs 460 kg; the selected table carries at most 450 kg for this operation.
17The workpiece weighs 1,500 kg; the selected table carries at most 1,400 kg for this operation.
18The selected automation system is not listed for the C 42; the C 42 is listed with the RS 1, RS 2, RS 3 and RS Linear robot systems, the PW 850 pallet changer and the HS flex, HS flex heavy and HS flex hybrid handling systems.
19The workpiece weighs 851 kg; the selected automation system moves at most 850 kg.
20The workpiece weighs 61 kg; the selected automation system moves at most 60 kg.
21The workpiece weighs 451 kg; the selected automation system moves at most 450 kg.
22The listed mains connections for the machine are 400 V / 50 Hz and 460 V / 60 Hz.
23The site supply is 56 kVA; the machine draws up to 57 kVA.
24The site supply is 60 kVA; the machine draws up to 61 kVA.

  

  

    
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. Milling-turning machine: A milling-turning order with an HSK A 63 spindle and an 800 mm torque table

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 MT milling-turning machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 20,000 rpm, the 800 mm swivelling rotary table with torque drive and the Heidenhain TNC7 control, with a ZM 50 additional magazine, and no automation. The workpiece is 700 mm across, 450 mm high and weighs 650 kg, and it will be turned. The job needs 85 tools; the heaviest weighs 3,000 g, the widest is 70 mm across and the longest is 250 mm. The site has a 400 V / 50 Hz supply of 70 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 102 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Spindle does not belong to this machine variant. The spindle on the quote is not offered on this machine variant; the C 42 MT uses the HSK T 63 spindles (15,000, 16,000 or 20,000 rpm) and the milling C 42 uses HSK A 63 or HSK E 40 spindles.
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  • Turning needs the MT table. Turning is quoted, but only the 750 mm MT table on the C 42 MT is listed for turning.
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  • Stated tool storage differs from the quote. The quote states a tool storage of 102 pockets, but the machine and magazine on it hold 92.
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2. Milling-turning machine: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 MT milling-turning machine with the HSK T 63 spindle at 20,000 rpm, the 750 mm MT swivelling rotary table and the Heidenhain TNC7 control, with a ZM 50 additional magazine, and no automation. The workpiece is 700 mm across, 450 mm high and weighs 650 kg, and it will be turned. The job needs 85 tools; the heaviest weighs 3,000 g, the widest is 70 mm across and the longest is 250 mm. The site has a 400 V / 50 Hz supply of 70 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 92 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Tool storage holds up to 92 tools; the selected table carries 700 kg; the machine draws up to 61 kVA.
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3. Tool storage and tools: A high-speed milling order with the largest magazine and a wide tool

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 milling machine with the HSK E 40 spindle at 42,000 rpm, the 440 mm swivelling rotary table with torque drive and the Siemens SINUMERIK ONE control, with a ZM 528 additional magazine, and no automation. The workpiece is 400 mm across, 300 mm high and weighs 300 kg. The job needs 300 tools; the heaviest weighs 2,000 g, the widest is 100 mm across and the longest is 200 mm. The site has a 400 V / 50 Hz supply of 70 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 570 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Large additional magazine with the HSK E 40 spindle. The additional tool magazines ZM 216 and ZM 528 are listed for HSK A 63 and HSK T 63 only, not for the HSK E 40 spindle.
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  • Wide tool needs adjacent pockets left empty. A tool 100 mm across is wider than 80 mm; it fits only with the adjacent magazine pockets left empty, so a person should confirm the pocket allocation.
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4. Tool storage and tools: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 milling machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 25,000 rpm, the 440 mm swivelling rotary table with torque drive and the Siemens SINUMERIK ONE control, with a ZM 528 additional magazine, and no automation. The workpiece is 400 mm across, 300 mm high and weighs 300 kg. The job needs 300 tools; the heaviest weighs 2,000 g, the widest is 100 mm across and the longest is 200 mm. The site has a 400 V / 50 Hz supply of 70 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 570 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Wide tool needs adjacent pockets left empty. A tool 100 mm across is wider than 80 mm; it fits only with the adjacent magazine pockets left empty, so a person should confirm the pocket allocation.
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  • Order summary. Tool storage holds up to 570 tools; the selected table carries 450 kg; the machine draws up to 57 kVA.
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5. Tool storage and tools: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 milling machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 25,000 rpm, the 440 mm swivelling rotary table with torque drive and the Siemens SINUMERIK ONE control, with a ZM 528 additional magazine, and no automation. The workpiece is 400 mm across, 300 mm high and weighs 300 kg. The job needs 300 tools; the heaviest weighs 2,000 g, the widest is 80 mm across and the longest is 200 mm. The site has a 400 V / 50 Hz supply of 70 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 570 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Tool storage holds up to 570 tools; the selected table carries 450 kg; the machine draws up to 57 kVA.
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6. Automation and site power: A heavy-workpiece order with a pallet changer and a site supply

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 milling machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 16,000 rpm, the 800 mm swivelling rotary table with worm drive and the Heidenhain TNC7 control, with a ZM 88 k additional magazine, and the PW 2000 pallet changer. The workpiece is 750 mm across, 500 mm high and weighs 800 kg. The job needs 110 tools; the heaviest weighs 4,000 g, the widest is 75 mm across and the longest is 300 mm. The site has a 460 V / 60 Hz supply of 55 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 130 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Automation not offered for the C 42. The selected automation system is not listed for the C 42; the C 42 is listed with the RS 1, RS 2, RS 3 and RS Linear robot systems, the PW 850 pallet changer and the HS flex, HS flex heavy and HS flex hybrid handling systems.
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  • Site supply smaller than the machine load. The site supply is 55 kVA; the machine draws up to 57 kVA.
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7. Automation and site power: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hermle C 42 milling machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 16,000 rpm, the 800 mm swivelling rotary table with worm drive and the Heidenhain TNC7 control, with a ZM 88 k additional magazine, and the PW 850 pallet changer. The workpiece is 750 mm across, 500 mm high and weighs 800 kg. The job needs 110 tools; the heaviest weighs 4,000 g, the widest is 75 mm across and the longest is 300 mm. The site has a 460 V / 60 Hz supply of 60 kVA. The quote states a tool storage of 130 pockets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Tool storage holds up to 130 tools; the selected table carries 850 kg; the machine draws up to 57 kVA.
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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 a five-axis machining centre with its spindle, table, tool storage, automation and site power. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the configuration rules 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 Hermle C 42 MT milling-turning machine with the HSK A 63 spindle at 20,000 rpm, the 800 mm swivelling rotary table with torque drive and the Heidenhain TNC7 control. The workpiece is 700 mm across, 450 mm high and weighs 650 kg, and it will be turned. 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, all in one answer. The spindle on the quote is not offered on this machine variant; the C 42 MT uses the HSK T 63 spindles (15,000, 16,000 or 20,000 rpm) and the milling C 42 uses HSK A 63 or HSK E 40 spindles. Turning is quoted, but only the 750 mm MT table on the C 42 MT is listed for turning. The quote states a tool storage of 102 pockets, but the machine and magazine on it hold 92.
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  6. The validator returned three 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 spindle, table and turning that belong to one machine variant, 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 spindle to HSK T 63 spindle at 20,000 rpm, the table to 750 mm MT swivelling rotary table and the stated tool storage to 92 pockets.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. All three earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  13. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, 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.
    14.