Predictika · Printing equipment configurations

An AI sales agent's platesetter configuration, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a configuration for a newspaper printer that wants a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter: the plate loading option, the imaging speed and resolution, the plate size and thickness, and the batch it will load. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published data sheet and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed. Kodak publishes no prices for this product, so the validator checks the configuration and produces no price build-up.

Scope: Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter configurations: automation option, speed, resolution, 2L option, plate size and thickness, loader capacity, throughput and stated figures. See everything this validator covers

This validator models Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter configurations as published on the Kodak Trendsetter NEWS Platesetters data sheet (read October 5, 2026), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Automation options — standard semi-automatic loading, Auto Unload, Autoloader (up to 166 plates), Single Cassette Unit (up to 240 plates) and Multi Cassette Unit (up to 960 plates in 4 cassettes). The validator treats the two options without a loader as holding one plate at a time.
  • Speeds and resolution — S, F and V speeds image 80, 110 and 150 plates an hour at 1200 dpi; F and V need the Autoloader, Single Cassette Unit or Multi Cassette Unit; the 2400 or 2540 dpi commercial option is not available with V speed; the data sheet gives plates an hour only at 1200 dpi.
  • Plates — sizes from 267 x 215 mm (330 x 270 mm with Auto Unload, the Autoloader or the cassette units) up to 700 x 985 mm, or 838 x 1,118 mm with the 2L option; thickness 0.20 to 0.30 mm.

Any Trendsetter NEWS configuration that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (none are published, so there is no price build-up), plate type compatibility, power, space and installation, service contracts, other Kodak platesetters and presses, and manual load and unload sizes.

The AI sales agentBuilds the platesetter 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.

8 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
Options that are only available togetherOnly with care
The F and V speeds depend on the loading option, and the commercial resolution excludes V speed, so each pairing needs its own rule and a rep can easily pick an excluded pair.		Every pairing is checked together on every call, so an excluded speed, loader or resolution is stopped in the same answer.
Plate size limits that change with the optionsOnly with care
The smallest plate depends on the loading option and the largest on the 2L option, so the limits move with the configuration and have to be re-checked whenever an option changes.		The limits are looked up from the chosen options and compared with the plate on every call.
A loader capacity that depends on the optionOnly with care
Each loading option holds a different number of plates, and a rep can promise a batch the chosen option cannot take.		The batch is compared with the capacity of the chosen option and the stated capacity must match.
A figure the data sheet does not giveOnly with workarounds
Throughput is published only at 1200 dpi; a rule engine either leaves the other resolutions unchecked or lets a rep type a number that nothing verifies.		Other resolutions are accepted but sent to a person, and no throughput is claimed for them.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote 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 loads 167 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 166.
2The quote loads 241 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 240.
3The quote loads 961 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 960.
4The quote loads 2 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 1.
5The plate of 800 x 1,000 mm is larger than the maximum of 700 x 985 mm for this configuration.
6The plate of 839 x 1,118 mm is larger than the maximum of 838 x 1,118 mm for this configuration.
7The first side of the plate, 266 mm, is below the 267 mm minimum for this automation option.
8The second side of the plate, 269 mm, is below the 270 mm minimum for a single-wide plate with this automation option.
9The first side of the plate, 329 mm, is below the 330 mm minimum for this automation option.
10A plate thickness of 199 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
11A plate thickness of 301 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
12The F and V speeds are available only with the Autoloader, Single Cassette Unit or Multi Cassette Unit; the quote has a different automation option.
13The 2400 or 2540 dpi commercial option is not available with V speed.
14The data sheet gives plates per hour only at 1200 dpi, so throughput at the chosen resolution is not published and a person should confirm it.
15The quote needs 81 plates an hour; the selected speed images 80 plates an hour at 1200 dpi.
16The quote states 150 plates an hour; the data sheet gives 110 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for this speed.
17The quote states a loader capacity of 240 plates; the data sheet gives 166 for this automation option.
18The plate of 900 x 300 mm is larger than the maximum of 700 x 985 mm for this configuration.
19A plate thickness of 350 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
20The quote loads 50 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 1.

  

  

    
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. Plate size and thickness: Large, thick plate on a standard-size platesetter with a wrong stated throughput

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Autoloader, F speed and 1200 dpi imaging, to image plates of 800 x 1,000 mm and 0.35 mm thick, loading a batch of 120 plates and imaging 100 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 120 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 166 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Plate larger than the platesetter takes. The plate of 800 x 1,000 mm is larger than the maximum of 700 x 985 mm for this configuration.
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  • Plate thickness outside the supported range. A plate thickness of 350 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
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  • Stated throughput does not match. The quote states 120 plates an hour; the data sheet gives 110 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for this speed.
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2. Plate size and thickness: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Autoloader, F speed and 1200 dpi imaging with the 2L option, to image plates of 800 x 1,000 mm and 0.35 mm thick, loading a batch of 120 plates and imaging 100 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 110 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 166 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Plate thickness outside the supported range. A plate thickness of 350 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
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3. Plate size and thickness: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Autoloader, F speed and 1200 dpi imaging with the 2L option, to image plates of 800 x 1,000 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 120 plates and imaging 100 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 110 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 166 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Plates from 330 x 270 mm to 838 x 1,118 mm accepted, loader holds 166 plates, 110 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for the selected speed.
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4. Loader and speed: Auto Unload with V speed and a batch of 200 plates

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Auto Unload option, V speed and 1200 dpi imaging, to image plates of 650 x 400 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 200 plates and imaging 140 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 150 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 1 plate. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • F or V speed without an autoloader or cassette unit. The F and V speeds are available only with the Autoloader, Single Cassette Unit or Multi Cassette Unit; the quote has a different automation option.
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  • Batch larger than the loader holds. The quote loads 200 plates in one go; this automation option holds up to 1.
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5. Loader and speed: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Single Cassette Unit, V speed and 1200 dpi imaging, to image plates of 650 x 400 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 200 plates and imaging 140 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 150 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 240 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Plates from 330 x 270 mm to 700 x 985 mm accepted, loader holds 240 plates, 150 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for the selected speed.
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6. Resolution: V speed with the commercial resolution

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Multi Cassette Unit, V speed and 2400 or 2540 dpi (commercial option) imaging, to image plates of 650 x 400 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 800 plates and imaging 120 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 150 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 960 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • V speed with the commercial resolution. The 2400 or 2540 dpi commercial option is not available with V speed.
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  • Throughput at this resolution to confirm. The data sheet gives plates per hour only at 1200 dpi, so throughput at the chosen resolution is not published and a person should confirm it.
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7. Resolution: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Multi Cassette Unit, F speed and 2400 or 2540 dpi (commercial option) imaging, to image plates of 650 x 400 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 800 plates and imaging 120 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 110 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 960 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Throughput at this resolution to confirm. The data sheet gives plates per hour only at 1200 dpi, so throughput at the chosen resolution is not published and a person should confirm it.
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  • Configuration summary. Plates from 330 x 270 mm to 700 x 985 mm accepted, loader holds 960 plates, 110 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for the selected speed.
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8. Resolution: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Multi Cassette Unit, V speed and 1200 dpi imaging, to image plates of 650 x 400 mm and 0.25 mm thick, loading a batch of 800 plates and imaging 120 plates an hour. The quote states a throughput of 150 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 960 plates. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Plates from 330 x 270 mm to 700 x 985 mm accepted, loader holds 960 plates, 150 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for the selected speed.
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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 newspaper printer that wants a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter: the plate loading option, the imaging speed and resolution, the plate size and thickness, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published data sheet and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed. Kodak publishes no prices for this product, so the validator checks the configuration and produces no price build-up.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please configure a Kodak Trendsetter NEWS platesetter with the Autoloader, F speed and 1200 dpi imaging, to image plates of 800 x 1,000 mm and 0.35 mm thick. The quote states a throughput of 120 plates an hour and a loader capacity of 166 plates. 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 plate of 800 x 1,000 mm is larger than the maximum of 700 x 985 mm for this configuration. A plate thickness of 350 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range. The quote states 120 plates an hour; the data sheet gives 110 plates an hour at 1200 dpi for this speed.
    6. 
      
  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.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for plate size limits that change with the options, 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 2L option to yes and the stated throughput to 110 plates an hour.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. A plate thickness of 350 microns is outside the supported 200 to 300 micron (0.20 to 0.30 mm) range.
    12. 
      
  12. Two findings cleared; still blocked on plate thickness outside the supported range.
    13. 
      
  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the plate thickness to 0.25 mm.
    15. 
      
  15. It calls the validator once more.
    16. 
      
  16. This time the validator clears it.
    17. 
      
  17. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  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.
    19.