Predictika · Pressure-rated metal valves

An AI sales agent's bronze ball valve order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for two-piece bronze ball valves: a variant, an end connection, a size, a quantity, the service the valves will see and the pressure of that service, any options, and the number of master cartons it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends the order to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures NIBCO publishes on its spec sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: NIBCO two-piece bronze ball valves, 585-70 family (standard, stainless trim, 250 steam, hose connection, UL gas and three-way): sizes, end connections, pressure and steam ratings, gas service, options, solder limit and master cartons. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for the NIBCO 585-70 family of two-piece bronze ball valves, based on six public NIBCO spec sheets, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Variants, end connections and sizes — six variants (standard bronze trim, stainless trim, 250 steam, hose connection, UL gas and three-way), each with the threaded or solder end connections and the sizes its spec sheet lists (61 combinations). A combination the sheets do not list is blocked.
  • Pressure and service — non-shock cold working pressure of 600 PSI (400 PSI for the three-way valve), saturated steam of 150 PSI (250 PSI for the 250 steam variant), no steam rating on the other variants, LP gas to 250 PSI per UL 842 and natural gas to 125 PSIG for the 1/2 to 1 inch sizes (CSA), and UL-listed gas and flammable-liquid service only on the UL gas variant. Steam service always goes to a person, because the sheets refer to NIBCO's pressure-temperature chart.
  • Options and installation — the lead free option (listed on the standard, stainless trim and hose connection sheets), the oxygen service option (standard and stainless trim only), solder ends for solders melting at no more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and, for the three-way valve, closed port pressure that must not exceed open port pressure.
  • Master cartons — the master carton quantity for each variant, end connection and size, and the carton count the order states, which must equal the computed one.

Any order for these valves that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (NIBCO does not publish list prices, so this page shows no price build-up), other NIBCO valve families, the detailed pressure-temperature chart (steam goes to a person), water ratings for the UL gas variant, and shipping or availability.

The AI sales agentBuilds the valve 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.

8 scenarios in 4 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
Variants that exist only in some sizes and end connections (six variants, 61 combinations)Only with workarounds
Each variant has its own size list and end connections, and a few sizes switch from full to conventional port. A rules-based CPQ needs a compatibility table or a rule per row, and every spec sheet revision means editing them.		Variant, end connection and size arrive in one request and are matched to the published rows on every call.
Pressure ratings that depend on the variant and on the service (water, steam, gas)Only with care
The rating is a different figure for each variant and service, with some combinations having no rating at all; each needs its own comparison rule.		Variant, service and pressure are compared together on every call.
Three-way valve: closed port pressure must not exceed open port pressureOnly with workarounds
The rule compares two process pressures that are not part of the product choice, so it needs extra input fields and a cross-field rule.		Both pressures travel in the request and are compared with the rest.
Options that exist on some variants only (lead free, oxygen service)Only with care
A product rule per option and variant. It works, but every new variant means another set of rules.		Variant and options are in one request and every availability rule is checked together.
Carton count the order statesOnly with care
The stated count is derived from the chosen row and the quantity, so a rule has to recompute it and compare.		The stated count is a field in the request, compared with the computed one 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 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
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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 order has 0 valves; at least 1 is needed.
2The NIBCO spec sheets list no valve of the selected variant with this end connection and a nominal size of 65 mm.
3The working pressure of 601 PSI is above the 600 PSI non-shock cold working pressure rating of this variant.
4The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 150 PSI.
5The steam pressure of 151 PSI is above the 150 PSI saturated steam rating of this variant.
6The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 151 PSI.
7The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 250 PSI.
8The steam pressure of 251 PSI is above the 250 PSI saturated steam rating of this variant.
9The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 251 PSI.
10The NIBCO spec sheets list no valve of the selected variant with this end connection and a nominal size of 15 mm.
11The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 200 PSI.
12The NIBCO spec sheets list no valve of the selected variant with this end connection and a nominal size of 25 mm.
13The spec sheet for this variant lists no saturated steam rating.
14The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 50 PSI.
15The working pressure of 401 PSI is above the 400 PSI non-shock cold working pressure rating of this variant.
16The closed port pressure of 120 PSI exceeds the open port pressure of 80 PSI; the three-way ball can be forced off its seat and let the lines mix.
17The NIBCO spec sheets list no valve of the selected variant with this end connection and a nominal size of 40 mm.
18The LP gas pressure of 251 PSI is above the 250 PSI non-shock rating per UL 842.
19The CSA certification for natural and propane gas covers only the 1/2 to 1 inch sizes; the order has a nominal size of 40 mm.
20The natural gas pressure of 126 PSIG is above the 125 PSIG limit of the CSA certification.

  

  

    
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. Three-way valves for a mixing loop: Sixty three-way valves with the pressures reversed and a wrong carton count

    
The agent's request. Please quote 60 three-way bronze ball valves, 1-1/2 inch (40 mm), with threaded ends, for water service at 300 PSI, with an open port pressure of 80 PSI and a closed port pressure of 120 PSI. The order states 7 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Closed port pressure above open port pressure. The closed port pressure of 120 PSI exceeds the open port pressure of 80 PSI; the three-way ball can be forced off its seat and let the lines mix.
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  • Stated carton count does not match. The order states 7 master cartons; 60 valves in cartons of 8 make 8.
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2. Three-way valves for a mixing loop: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 60 three-way bronze ball valves, 1-1/2 inch (40 mm), with threaded ends, for water service at 300 PSI, with an open port pressure of 120 PSI and a closed port pressure of 80 PSI. The order states 8 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 60 valves in master cartons of 8 make 8 cartons; this size is conventional port.
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3. Steam valves on a boiler header: 150 standard valves on a 180 PSI steam header

    
The agent's request. Please quote 150 standard bronze trim bronze ball valves, 1 inch (25 mm), with threaded ends, for saturated steam service at 180 PSI. The order states 4 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Steam pressure above the saturated steam rating. The steam pressure of 180 PSI is above the 150 PSI saturated steam rating of this variant.
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  • Steam service to confirm against the pressure-temperature chart. The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 180 PSI.
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4. Steam valves on a boiler header: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 150 250 steam bronze ball valves, 1 inch (25 mm), with threaded ends, for saturated steam service at 180 PSI. The order states 30 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Steam service to confirm against the pressure-temperature chart. The spec sheet refers to the NIBCO pressure-temperature chart for detailed operating pressure; a person should confirm steam service at 180 PSI.
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  • Order summary. 150 valves in master cartons of 5 make 30 cartons; this size is full port.
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5. Natural gas line: 120 standard valves on a natural gas line

    
The agent's request. Please quote 120 standard bronze trim bronze ball valves, 1-1/2 inch (40 mm), with threaded ends, for natural gas service at 100 PSIG. The order states 12 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • UL-listed gas or flammable-liquid service on a non-UL variant. UL-listed LP gas, natural gas and flammable-liquid service appears only on the UL gas variant spec sheet.
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6. Natural gas line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 120 UL gas bronze ball valves, 1 inch (25 mm), with threaded ends, for natural gas service at 100 PSIG. The order states 3 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 120 valves in master cartons of 40 make 3 cartons; this size is full port.
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7. Soldered copper riser: 200 soldered valves with a high-temperature solder

    
The agent's request. Please quote 200 standard bronze trim bronze ball valves, 1-1/4 inch (32 mm), with solder ends, for water service at 150 PSI, to be soldered with a solder that melts at 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, with the lead free and oxygen service options. The order states 10 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Solder melting point above 500 F. Solder with a melting point of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit will damage the seat material; the solder ends are for solders melting at no more than 500 degrees.
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8. Soldered copper riser: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 200 standard bronze trim bronze ball valves, 1-1/4 inch (32 mm), with solder ends, for water service at 150 PSI, to be soldered with a solder that melts at 430 degrees Fahrenheit, with the lead free and oxygen service options. The order states 10 master cartons. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 200 valves in master cartons of 20 make 10 cartons; this size is full port.
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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 two-piece bronze ball valves: a variant, an end connection, a size, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends the order to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures NIBCO publishes on its spec sheets 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 60 three-way bronze ball valves, 1-1/2 inch (40 mm), with threaded ends, for water service at 300 PSI. The order states 7 master cartons. 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 closed port pressure of 120 PSI exceeds the open port pressure of 80 PSI; the three-way ball can be forced off its seat and let the lines mix. The order states 7 master cartons; 60 valves in cartons of 8 make 8.
    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.
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  7. What this shows: for three-way valve: closed port pressure must not exceed open port pressure, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the open port pressure to 120 PSI, the closed port pressure to 80 PSI and the stated master cartons as to 8.
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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. Both earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  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.