Predictika · Foil strain gages and data acquisition

An AI sales agent's strain gage quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for foil strain gages for a customer's test: the gage series and option, the temperature range, the expected strain, the adhesive, the protective coating, the S-T-C number for the test material, the data acquisition instrument and the temperature rating the quote states for the series. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the Micro-Measurements Strain Gage Sensor Reference Guide and returns a verdict, each finding and the reason.

Scope: Micro-Measurements foil strain gages: series, option, temperature, strain, adhesive, protective coating, S-T-C number and data acquisition instrument. See everything this validator covers

This validator models a quote for one foil strain gage selection, based on the tables in the public Micro-Measurements Strain Gage Sensor Reference Guide (document 8690-EN, May 2020), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Series and options — 19 gage series (EA, CEA, CHA, C2A, C4A, C5K, L2A, W2A, N2A, WA, SA, EP, ED, WD, SD, EK, WK, SK and S2K) with their normal and special temperature ranges, their strain limits at gage lengths under and over 1/8 inch, and the options each series offers, with each option's own temperature limits. The cable options and wiring codes of the C4A and C5K are checked too.
  • Adhesive, coating and S-T-C number — the adhesive the guide recommends for each series, test type and temperature range; the preferred and alternate coating for 13 environments, with the temperature ceilings the guide gives for oils and high-temperature air; and the S-T-C number the guide gives for 32 test materials. Choices outside the guide's advice go to a person.
  • Instruments — the StudentDAQ, D4, P3 and the 7100, 8000 and 9000: the highest data rate and the most channels each supports, whether the guide lists it for constant-load or for quickly varying load tests, and the 5000 ohm gage that needs external bridge completion.
  • Stated rating — the temperature rating the quote states for the series must match the guide.

Any foil strain gage quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (the guide has none, so this page shows no price build-up), series the model leaves out (such as J2A, J5K, TA, TK, RK and ZC), gage patterns and resistances other than the 5000 ohm bridge rule, free-filament gages and cements, and installation procedures.

The AI sales agentBuilds the strain gage quote 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
Strain limit that depends on gage lengthOnly with care
The limit is 3 percent below 1/8 inch and 5 percent at 1/8 inch and over for the EA and CEA, but different for other series, so the quote has to be compared with the right figure.		The series and gage length are looked up together on every call and compared with the strain in the quote.
Temperature ranges with a special or short-term extensionOnly with workarounds
A series can be used in a wider range only for special or short-term use, and options narrow the range again, so one range is not enough.		Normal range, special range and option limits are checked together, and the answer says which one the quote breaks.
Adhesive advice by test type and temperatureOnly with workarounds
Recommendations depend on the series, the type of test and the temperature range, and some ranges overlap, so a simple product rule is either too strict or silent.		The rows that apply are found for the quote, and an adhesive outside them is flagged for a person.
Instrument limits on rate, channels and test typeOnly with care
Each instrument has its own highest data rate and channel count, and is listed for either constant-load or varying-load tests.		Rate, channels and test type are compared with the instrument together, in any order the choices arrive.
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 guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the CEA series in static stress analysis use over 70 to 350 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
2An operating range of 70 to 351 F is outside the widest range the guide gives for the CEA series, -100 to 350 F.
3The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the CEA series in static stress analysis use over 70 to 351 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
4Stacked rosettes of the CEA series are limited to +150 F and the quote operates up to 151 F.
5The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the CEA series in static stress analysis use over 70 to 151 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
6An operating range of 70 to 400 F is beyond the normal range of the EA series (-100 to 350 F); the guide allows that only for special or short-term use, so a person should confirm the duration.
7The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the EA series in static stress analysis use over 70 to 400 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
8An operating range of 70 to 400 F is beyond the normal range of the EA series (-100 to 350 F); the guide allows that only for special or short-term use, and the quote does not say short-term.
9An operating range of 70 to 401 F is outside the widest range the guide gives for the EA series, -320 to 400 F.
10The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the EA series in static stress analysis use over 70 to 401 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
11An operating range of -320 to 150 F is beyond the normal range of the EA series (-100 to 350 F); the guide allows that only for special or short-term use, so a person should confirm the duration.
12The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the EA series in static stress analysis use over -320 to 150 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
13An operating range of -101 to 150 F is outside the widest range the guide gives for the CEA series, -100 to 350 F.
14The guide gives no adhesive recommendation for the CEA series in static stress analysis use over -101 to 150 F; a person must choose the adhesive.
15The expected strain of 50,001 microstrain is above the 50,000 microstrain the guide gives for the CEA series at a gage length of 125 mils.
16The expected strain of 30,001 microstrain is above the 30,000 microstrain the guide gives for the CEA series at a gage length of 62 mils.
17The expected strain of 150,000 microstrain is above the 100,000 microstrain the guide gives for the EP series at a gage length of 62 mils.
18Option W on an EP gage may reduce the large post-yield strain range the series is chosen for; a person should confirm.
19The ED series is nonlinear above 5,000 microstrain and the quote expects 10,000 microstrain; a person should confirm it suits the measurement.
20The expected strain of 21,000 microstrain is above the 20,000 microstrain the guide gives for the ED series at a gage length of 125 mils.

  

  

    
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. Instrument limits: A dynamic test with 140 channels at 1,500 samples per second

    
The agent's request. Please quote WD strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils for dynamic (cyclic) stress analysis on carbon steel (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond AE-10 and protected with M-Coat A for use in a laboratory at 50 percent relative humidity or lower. The test runs from 70 to 100 F with an expected strain of 3,000 microstrain. Readings are taken with the instrument 8000 at 1,500 samples per second on 140 channels. The quote says the WD series is rated to 500 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Sample rate beyond the instrument. The test needs 1,500 samples per second and the instrument 8000 records at most 1,000.
    • 
      
  • More channels than the instrument supports. The test needs 140 channels and the instrument 8000 supports at most 128 across multiple units.
    • 
    

    
2. Instrument limits: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote WD strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils for dynamic (cyclic) stress analysis on carbon steel (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond AE-10 and protected with M-Coat A for use in a laboratory at 50 percent relative humidity or lower. The test runs from 70 to 100 F with an expected strain of 3,000 microstrain. Readings are taken with the instrument 9000 at 1,500 samples per second on 40 channels. The quote says the WD series is rated to 500 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Gage summary. The WD series is rated -320 to 500 F in normal use and up to 15,000 microstrain at a gage length of 125 mils.
    • 
    

    
3. Strain limit and stated rating: A CEA gage 62 mils long with 35,000 microstrain expected

    
The agent's request. Please quote CEA strain gages with a gage length of 62 mils for static stress analysis on carbon steel (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond 200 and protected with M-Coat A for use in a laboratory at 50 percent relative humidity or lower. The test runs from 70 to 150 F with an expected strain of 35,000 microstrain. The quote says the CEA series is rated to 400 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Strain above the series range. The expected strain of 35,000 microstrain is above the 30,000 microstrain the guide gives for the CEA series at a gage length of 62 mils.
    • 
      
  • Stated temperature rating does not match the guide. The quote says the CEA series is rated to 400 F in normal use; the guide gives 350 F.
    • 
    

    
4. Strain limit and stated rating: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote CEA strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils for static stress analysis on carbon steel (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond 200 and protected with M-Coat A for use in a laboratory at 50 percent relative humidity or lower. The test runs from 70 to 150 F with an expected strain of 35,000 microstrain. The quote says the CEA series is rated to 350 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Gage summary. The CEA series is rated -100 to 350 F in normal use and up to 50,000 microstrain at a gage length of 125 mils.
    • 
    

    
5. Option, coating and S-T-C number: An EA gage in salt water with a wax-only coating and an aluminum S-T-C number of 6

    
The agent's request. Please quote EA strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils and Option P2 for static stress analysis on aluminum (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond 200 and protected with M-Coat W-1 Wax for use in long-term salt water immersion. The test runs from 70 to 150 F with an expected strain of 2,000 microstrain. The quote says the EA series is rated to 350 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Option not available on the series. Option P2 is not available on the EA series.
    • 
      
  • S-T-C number differs from the guide. The guide recommends S-T-C number 13 for aluminum; the quote has number 6, so a person should confirm.
    • 
      
  • Coating not in the guide for the environment. M-Coat W-1 Wax is not a preferred or alternate coating in the guide for long-term salt water immersion; a person should confirm it.
    • 
    

    
6. Option, coating and S-T-C number: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote EA strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils for static stress analysis on aluminum (S-T-C number 6), bonded with M-Bond 200 and protected with M-Coat W-1 Wax for use in long-term salt water immersion. The test runs from 70 to 150 F with an expected strain of 2,000 microstrain. The quote says the EA series is rated to 350 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • S-T-C number differs from the guide. The guide recommends S-T-C number 13 for aluminum; the quote has number 6, so a person should confirm.
    • 
      
  • Coating not in the guide for the environment. M-Coat W-1 Wax is not a preferred or alternate coating in the guide for long-term salt water immersion; a person should confirm it.
    • 
      
  • Gage summary. The EA series is rated -100 to 350 F in normal use and up to 50,000 microstrain at a gage length of 125 mils.
    • 
    

    
7. Option, coating and S-T-C number: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote EA strain gages with a gage length of 125 mils for static stress analysis on aluminum (S-T-C number 13), bonded with M-Bond 200 and protected with M-Coat W-1 Wax combined with M-Coat JA for use in long-term salt water immersion. The test runs from 70 to 150 F with an expected strain of 2,000 microstrain. The quote says the EA series is rated to 350 F in normal use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Gage summary. The EA series is rated -100 to 350 F in normal use and up to 50,000 microstrain at a gage length of 125 mils.
    • 
    

  

  

    
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 quote for foil strain gages for a customer's test: the gage series and option, the temperature range, the expected strain, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the Micro-Measurements Strain Gage Sensor Reference Guide and returns a verdict, each finding and the reason.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote WD strain gages. The test runs from 70 to 100 F with an expected strain of 3,000 microstrain. 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, all in one answer. The test needs 1,500 samples per second and the instrument 8000 records at most 1,000. The test needs 140 channels and the instrument 8000 supports at most 128 across multiple units.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned two 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 instrument limits on rate, channels and test type, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the instrument to Instrument 9000 and the channels to 40.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
    12. 
      
  12. Both earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
    13. 
      
  13. Two 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.