Predictika · Recycling equipment

An AI sales agent's optical sorter quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for optical sorting machines: a Mistral+ CONNECT or COMPACT+ for a sorting center, a Mistral+ FILM for plastic film, an Xpert for metals or a QC+ quality control machine, with belt width, ejector valve block, sensors and options. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public Pellenc ST product pages and flyers and returns a verdict, every reason and the total it computed.

Scope: Pellenc ST Mistral+ CONNECT, COMPACT+, Mistral+ FILM, Xpert and QC+ machines with belt width, ejector valve block, sensors and options. See everything this validator covers

This validator models a quote for optical sorting machines from the Pellenc ST product lines below, based on the public Pellenc ST product pages and flyers. It handles any quote for these products, not just the scenarios shown. Where a rule is a published Pellenc ST fact it says so; widths, limits, throughput figures and prices that are only assumed or typical are labelled that way.

  • Mistral+ CONNECT — the multi-material sorter for sorting and recycling centers (PET, film, paper, RDF, textile and more), belt widths 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm.
  • COMPACT+ — the compact high-performance sorter for restricted spaces and modernizations, belt widths 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, with an optional remote electrical cabinet.
  • Mistral+ FILM — plastic film sorting for mechanical and chemical recycling. Xpert — the X-ray machine for metals and plastics. QC+ — the quality control machine for RDF, belt widths 800, 1200, 2000 and 2800 mm.
  • Ejector valve blocks — Standard and High Power (25 mm) and High Resolution and Super Power (12.5 mm). Options and add-ons — Turbosorter, Top Speed, Profile Detection, metal sensor, Dual Eject, remote electrical cabinet, AEROLIGHT (film and paper, belt widths from 1200 mm), AISORT and AISEE. Working temperature -10 to 55 °C.
  • Sorting applications — PET, food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, film, paper and cardboard, textile, RDF, metals and RDF quality control, each tied to the machines that handle it.
  • Assumed or typical (not published by Pellenc ST) — every price, every throughput figure, the belt widths of Mistral+ FILM and Xpert, the temperature range of Xpert and QC+, which of the options each machine takes beyond those listed, a 15 percent discount limit, manager approval above 8 percent and for orders of 6 sorters or more, engineer approval when the required throughput is above 90 percent of capacity or film and paper run without the Turbosorter, and the pairing of Top Speed with the High Power or Super Power block.

Any quote for these products that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: CNS BRAIN, the Mistral and COMPACT upgrade packages, EasyClean, PEMAX Auto, electroportative tools, services and training contracts, installation, freight and taxes. The customers are fictional.

The AI sales agentBuilds the sorter 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
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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
Belt widths that differ by machineOnly with workarounds
Mistral+ CONNECT, COMPACT+ and QC+ each list their own widths (six, eight and four). That is a separate pick list per machine, and the limit sits on a different field than the one being chosen.		Belt width is checked against the machine chosen.
Ejector valve blocks that depend on the machineOnly with care
Xpert has the Super Power 12.5 mm block, QC+ measures and has none, and Mistral+ and COMPACT+ take any of four. A pick list shows all four unless a rule hides them.		The valve block is checked against the machine.
Options that exist on some machines onlyOnly with workarounds
Turbosorter, Top Speed, Profile Detection, the metal sensor, Dual Eject, the remote cabinet, AISORT and AISEE each belong to a different set of machines. Eight small compatibility tables, kept by hand.		Every option is checked against the machine, and each problem is reported with its reason.
Options that a requirement forcesOnly with workarounds
Food-grade sorting needs AISORT, black objects need Profile Detection because near-infrared cannot see carbon black, and AEROLIGHT needs film or paper on a belt of 1200 mm or more. The requirement is on the application; the fix is on an option.		The requirement and the option are checked together.
Throughput against belt width, application and Top SpeedOnly with workarounds
Capacity depends on the belt width, the material and whether Top Speed is chosen: a formula across three fields that most quote setups do not carry.		Required throughput is compared with the capacity computed for the chosen width, application and options.
A pairing between two optionsOnly with care
Top Speed needs a High Power or Super Power valve block. Nothing stops the two from being quoted apart unless a rule says so.		Top Speed and the valve block are checked together.
Guidance that needs a person, such as throughput above 90 percent of capacityOnly with workarounds
These are engineering judgment calls, not hard rules. Quote tools tend to either ignore them or block the quote outright.		The quote is not blocked; it goes to a person with the reason listed.
A stated total that has to agree with the machines, blocks and optionsOnly with workarounds
Width-based prices for the machine and the valve block, plus options, per sorter and per order: the total typed on the quote can drift without anyone noticing.		The total is computed from the choices and compared with the total the quote states.
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
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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 selected machine does not sort this application; Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ cover PET, food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, film, paper and cardboard, textile and RDF, Mistral+ FILM covers plastic film, Xpert covers metals, and QC+ is the quality control machine for RDF.
2A belt width of 1000 mm is not offered for the selected machine; this validator lists Mistral+ CONNECT in 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, COMPACT+ in 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Mistral+ FILM in 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Xpert in 800, 1200, 1600 and 2000 mm and QC+ in 800, 1200, 2000 and 2800 mm.
3The ejector valve block does not fit the selected machine; Mistral+ and COMPACT+ machines take the Standard or High Power 25 mm block or the High Resolution or Super Power 12.5 mm block, Xpert has the Super Power 12.5 mm block, and QC+ measures and does not eject.
4The Turbosorter option (2D object stabilization) is listed for Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
5The Top Speed option is listed for Mistral+ CONNECT, COMPACT+ and Xpert only.
6The Profile Detection sensor for black and inert objects is available on the Mistral+ machines and COMPACT+ only.
7The metal sensor option is listed for Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
8The Dual Eject option is listed for Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
9The remote electrical cabinet is an option of the COMPACT+ only.
10AISORT is an add-on for Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
11AISEE monitoring is listed with Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
12The AEROLIGHT ejection hood is for film and paper sorting on the Mistral+ machines and COMPACT+; it is not offered for this machine or application.
13AEROLIGHT is offered on belt widths of 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm; a belt width of 800 mm is too narrow.
14Separating food-grade from non-food-grade packaging needs the AISORT add-on, which the quote does not include.
15The quote asks for black and inert objects to be removed; near-infrared cannot see carbon black, so this needs the Profile Detection sensor, which the quote does not include.
16Top Speed adds 50 percent capacity and, in this validator, needs the High Power or Super Power ejector valve block; the selected block is a standard or high resolution one.
17An installation ambient range of -11 to 40 °C is outside the -10 to 55 °C working temperature of the machine.
18The required throughput of 6,001 kg/h per sorter is above the 6,000 kg/h that the selected belt width, application and options give (illustrative capacity).
19The required throughput of 6,000 kg/h uses more than 90 percent of the 6,000 kg/h capacity; an application engineer confirms it, ideally with a sorting test at the test center.
20Film, paper and cardboard are 2D materials; without the Turbosorter option (2D object stabilization) an application engineer confirms the configuration.
21Orders of 6 sorters or more are confirmed by a sales manager before they are sent; this one has 6.
22The quote has 0 sorters; at least one is needed.
23A discount of $42,000 on a list price of $500,000 is more than 8 percent and needs a manager to approve it.
24A discount of $77,000 on a list price of $500,000 is more than the 15 percent limit.
25The quote states a total of $472,000, but the machines, valve blocks, options and discount give $500,000.

  

  

    
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. Food-grade PET line: Four Mistral+ CONNECT sorters for a food-grade PET line

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Mistral+ CONNECT sorters with a 1400 mm belt for food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, with the Standard 25 mm ejector valve block. The required throughput is 3,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. Black and inert objects must be removed. The discount is $46,000. The quote states a total of $670,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Belt width not offered for this machine. A belt width of 1400 mm is not offered for the selected machine; this validator lists Mistral+ CONNECT in 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, COMPACT+ in 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Mistral+ FILM in 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Xpert in 800, 1200, 1600 and 2000 mm and QC+ in 800, 1200, 2000 and 2800 mm.
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  • Food-grade sorting needs AISORT. Separating food-grade from non-food-grade packaging needs the AISORT add-on, which the quote does not include.
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  • Black objects need Profile Detection. The quote asks for black and inert objects to be removed; near-infrared cannot see carbon black, so this needs the Profile Detection sensor, which the quote does not include.
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  • Required throughput above the machine capacity. The required throughput of 3,000 kg/h per sorter is above the 2,800 kg/h that the selected belt width, application and options give (illustrative capacity).
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  • Stated total differs from the computed total. The quote states a total of $670,000, but the machines, valve blocks, options and discount give $726,000.
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2. Food-grade PET line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Mistral+ CONNECT sorters with a 1600 mm belt for food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, with the Standard 25 mm ejector valve block, and the options Profile Detection and AISORT. The required throughput is 3,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. Black and inert objects must be removed. The discount is $80,000. The quote states a total of $1,260,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Required throughput above 90 percent of capacity. The required throughput of 3,000 kg/h uses more than 90 percent of the 3,200 kg/h capacity; an application engineer confirms it, ideally with a sorting test at the test center.
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  • Order summary. 4 sorters at $335,000 each, list price $1,340,000, net $1,260,000 (illustrative prices, not Pellenc ST prices).
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3. Food-grade PET line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Mistral+ CONNECT sorters with a 1600 mm belt for food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, with the High Power 25 mm ejector valve block, and the options Top Speed, Profile Detection and AISORT. The required throughput is 3,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. Black and inert objects must be removed. The discount is $89,000. The quote states a total of $1,403,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 4 sorters at $373,000 each, list price $1,492,000, net $1,403,000 (illustrative prices, not Pellenc ST prices).
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4. Film recycling line: Three sorters for a plastic film line

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 Mistral+ CONNECT sorters with an 800 mm belt for plastic film, with the Standard 25 mm ejector valve block, and the options AEROLIGHT and remote electrical cabinet. The required throughput is 700 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. The discount is $25,000. The quote states a total of $462,500. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Remote electrical cabinet only on COMPACT+. The remote electrical cabinet is an option of the COMPACT+ only.
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  • AEROLIGHT needs a belt width of 1200 mm or more. AEROLIGHT is offered on belt widths of 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm; a belt width of 800 mm is too narrow.
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  • Stated total differs from the computed total. The quote states a total of $462,500, but the machines, valve blocks, options and discount give $489,500.
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  • Film or paper without the Turbosorter. Film, paper and cardboard are 2D materials; without the Turbosorter option (2D object stabilization) an application engineer confirms the configuration.
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5. Film recycling line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 COMPACT+ sorters with a 1600 mm belt for plastic film, with the Standard 25 mm ejector valve block, and the options Turbosorter, AEROLIGHT and remote electrical cabinet. The required throughput is 700 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. The discount is $35,000. The quote states a total of $671,500. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 3 sorters at $235,500 each, list price $706,500, net $671,500 (illustrative prices, not Pellenc ST prices).
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6. Metal recovery line: Three Xpert sorters for a metal recovery line

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 Xpert sorters with a 1600 mm belt for metals, with the High Resolution 12.5 mm ejector valve block, and the options Top Speed and metal sensor. The required throughput is 9,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. The discount is $57,000. The quote states a total of $1,031,400. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Ejector valve block does not fit this machine. The ejector valve block does not fit the selected machine; Mistral+ and COMPACT+ machines take the Standard or High Power 25 mm block or the High Resolution or Super Power 12.5 mm block, Xpert has the Super Power 12.5 mm block, and QC+ measures and does not eject.
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  • Metal sensor not offered for this machine. The metal sensor option is listed for Mistral+ CONNECT and COMPACT+ only.
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  • Top Speed needs a High Power or Super Power block. Top Speed adds 50 percent capacity and, in this validator, needs the High Power or Super Power ejector valve block; the selected block is a standard or high resolution one.
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  • Stated total differs from the computed total. The quote states a total of $1,031,400, but the machines, valve blocks, options and discount give $1,085,400.
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7. Metal recovery line: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 Xpert sorters with a 1600 mm belt for metals, with the Super Power 12.5 mm ejector valve block, and the option Top Speed. The required throughput is 9,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. The discount is $56,000. The quote states a total of $1,070,800. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 3 sorters at $375,600 each, list price $1,126,800, net $1,070,800 (illustrative prices, not Pellenc ST prices).
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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 quote for optical sorting machines: a Mistral+ CONNECT or COMPACT+ for a sorting center, a Mistral+ FILM for plastic film, an Xpert for metals or a QC+ quality control machine. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public Pellenc ST product pages and flyers and returns a verdict, every reason and the total it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 4 Mistral+ CONNECT sorters with a 1400 mm belt for food-grade and non-food-grade packaging, with the Standard 25 mm ejector valve block. The required throughput is 3,000 kg/h per sorter and the installation ambient is -5 to 40 °C. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states a total of $670,000.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with five findings, all in one answer. A belt width of 1400 mm is not offered for the selected machine; this validator lists Mistral+ CONNECT in 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, COMPACT+ in 800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Mistral+ FILM in 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 and 2800 mm, Xpert in 800, 1200, 1600 and 2000 mm and QC+ in 800, 1200, 2000 and 2800 mm. Separating food-grade from non-food-grade packaging needs the AISORT add-on, which the quote does not include. The quote asks for black and inert objects to be removed; near-infrared cannot see carbon black, so this needs the Profile Detection sensor, which the quote does not include. The other two are on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned five 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 and against the stated total.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for belt widths that differ by machine, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the belt width to 1600 mm, the discount to $80,000 and the stated total to $1,260,000. It sets the options to Profile Detection and AISORT.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. Not blocked, but held for a person.
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  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Mistral+ CONNECT and Profile Detection; the other line is on screen.
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  13. The five blocking findings are cleared; one approval remains for a person: required throughput above 90 percent of capacity.
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  14. The agent resubmits once more.
    15. 
      
  15. The revised request. It changes the ejector valve block to High Power 25 mm, the options to Top Speed, Profile Detection and AISORT, the discount to $89,000 and the stated total to $1,403,000.
    16. 
      
  16. It calls the validator once more.
    17. 
      
  17. This time the validator clears it.
    18. 
      
  18. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Mistral+ CONNECT and High Power 25 mm block; the other three lines are on screen.
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  19. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's total, $1,403,000, matches the quote.
    20. 
      
  20. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean $1,403,000 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    21.