Predictika · Metrology configuration: machine tool touch probe, interface and stylus

An AI sales agent's machine tool probe configuration, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a machine tool probe system: the touch probe, the interface that connects it to the CNC control, the machine type and the stylus. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published probe and interface compatibility and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Renishaw machine tool touch probes (optical, radio and hard-wired) with their interface, machine type, stylus length and published repeatability. See everything this validator covers

This validator models one product line, Renishaw machine tool touch probes and the interfaces they require, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Probes — optical (OMP40-2, OMP60, OMP400, OMP600, OLP40), radio (RMP40, RMP60, RMP400, RMP600, RMP24-micro, RLP40) and hard-wired (LP2, LP2H, MP250).
  • Interfaces — every probe needs an interface of its own signal type: OMI-2, OMI-2T or an OMM-2 receiver with an OSI interface for optical probes; RMI-Q or RMI-QE for radio probes; HSI or HSI-C for hard-wired probes. The RMI-QE works only with third-generation probes marked model QE, and the RMP24-micro works only with the RMI-QE.
  • Fit and figures — the machine types each probe is listed for (machining centre, turning centre, grinder), the recommended maximum stylus length, and the published repeatability; the repeatability stated on the quote is compared with the published figure. A stylus longer than recommended, or a probe not listed for the machine type, goes to a person.

Any combination of these fourteen probes, their interfaces, machine types and stylus lengths is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (no public price list was found, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), modular (M) probe systems, other interface variants (for example OMI-2H, OMI-2C, OMM-2C and OSI-D), tool setters, encoders, CMM and other Renishaw product lines, software, service and regional terms.

The AI sales agentBuilds the probe 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.

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
An interface that must match the probe signal typeOnly with care
Each probe family works with its own interfaces, so a product rule is needed per probe and per interface, and it must be extended whenever a probe or interface is added.		Probe and interface arrive together; the signal type of each is compared on every call.
A generation rule on one interfaceOnly with workarounds
The RMI-QE accepts only QE-marked radio probes, while the older RMI-Q accepts both generations; that depends on a marking on the probe, so it needs an extra attribute and a cross-line rule.		The QE marking is part of the request and is checked against the interface chosen.
A stated figure that must match the probeOnly with care
The repeatability on the quote is a free-entry field; a rule can compare it with the published figure for the probe, but someone has to write and maintain that comparison.		The stated repeatability travels with the configuration and is compared with the published figure on every call.
Recommendations that need a personOnly with care
A recommended stylus length or machine type is advice, not a hard limit; a rule must route it to approval rather than block it.		Recommendations come back as approvals, separate from the blocking findings.
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 RMI-QE interface works only with third-generation radio probes marked model QE; the radio probe selected is not QE-marked.
2The RMP24-micro works only with the RMI-QE interface, not with the RMI-Q.
3The interface does not match the probe signal type: optical probes use an OMI-2 or OMI-2T interface or an OMM-2 receiver with an OSI interface, radio probes use an RMI-Q or RMI-QE interface, hard-wired probes use an HSI or HSI-C interface.
4The selected probe is not listed for this type of machine tool; a person should confirm it suits the machine.
5The stylus is 201 mm long; the recommended maximum for the selected probe is 200 mm, so a person should confirm the stylus choice.
6The stylus is 31 mm long; the recommended maximum for the selected probe is 30 mm, so a person should confirm the stylus choice.
7The stylus is 101 mm long; the recommended maximum for the selected probe is 100 mm, so a person should confirm the stylus choice.
8The quote states a repeatability of 1000 nm (2 sigma); the published figure for the selected probe is 2000 nm.
9The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma); the published figure for the selected probe is 1000 nm.
10The stylus is 180 mm long; the recommended maximum for the selected probe is 150 mm, so a person should confirm the stylus choice.

  

  

    
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. Signal type and stylus: An RMP600 radio probe with an optical interface and a 250 mm stylus

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw RMP600 machine tool probe with the OMI-2T interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 250 mm. The probe is a QE-marked third-generation probe. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Interface does not suit the probe signal type. The interface does not match the probe signal type: optical probes use an OMI-2 or OMI-2T interface or an OMM-2 receiver with an OSI interface, radio probes use an RMI-Q or RMI-QE interface, hard-wired probes use an HSI or HSI-C interface.
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  • Stylus longer than recommended. The stylus is 250 mm long; the recommended maximum for the selected probe is 200 mm, so a person should confirm the stylus choice.
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2. Signal type and stylus: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw RMP600 machine tool probe with the RMI-Q interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 200 mm. The probe is a QE-marked third-generation probe. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Probe summary. Published repeatability 250 nm (2 sigma), recommended stylus length up to 200 mm.
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3. Probe generation and stated figure: An RMP40 probe without the QE marking on the RMI-QE interface, quoted at the wrong repeatability

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw RMP40 machine tool probe with the RMI-QE interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 100 mm. The probe is an earlier-generation probe without the QE marking. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • RMI-QE needs a QE-marked probe. The RMI-QE interface works only with third-generation radio probes marked model QE; the radio probe selected is not QE-marked.
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  • Stated repeatability does not match. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma); the published figure for the selected probe is 1000 nm.
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4. Probe generation and stated figure: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw RMP40 machine tool probe with the RMI-Q interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 100 mm. The probe is an earlier-generation probe without the QE marking. The quote states a repeatability of 1,000 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Probe summary. Published repeatability 1000 nm (2 sigma), recommended stylus length up to 150 mm.
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5. Machine type and stated figure: An OLP40 lathe probe on a machining centre, quoted at the wrong repeatability

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw OLP40 machine tool probe with the OMI-2T interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 150 mm. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Stated repeatability does not match. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma); the published figure for the selected probe is 1000 nm.
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  • Probe not listed for this machine type. The selected probe is not listed for this type of machine tool; a person should confirm it suits the machine.
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6. Machine type and stated figure: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw OLP40 machine tool probe with the OMI-2T interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 150 mm. The quote states a repeatability of 1,000 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Probe not listed for this machine type. The selected probe is not listed for this type of machine tool; a person should confirm it suits the machine.
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  • Probe summary. Published repeatability 1000 nm (2 sigma), recommended stylus length up to 150 mm.
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7. Machine type and stated figure: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Renishaw OLP40 machine tool probe with the OMI-2T interface for a turning centre, with a stylus of 150 mm. The quote states a repeatability of 1,000 nm (2 sigma). It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Probe summary. Published repeatability 1000 nm (2 sigma), recommended stylus length up to 150 mm.
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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 machine tool probe system: the touch probe, the interface that connects it to the CNC control, the machine type and the stylus. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published probe and interface compatibility and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
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  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote a Renishaw RMP40 machine tool probe with the RMI-QE interface for a machining centre, with a stylus of 100 mm. The probe is an earlier-generation probe without the QE marking. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with two findings, all in one answer. The RMI-QE interface works only with third-generation radio probes marked model QE; the radio probe selected is not QE-marked. The quote states a repeatability of 250 nm (2 sigma); the published figure for the selected probe is 1000 nm.
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  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 a stated figure that must match the probe, 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 interface to RMI-Q and the stated repeatability to 1,000.
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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.