Predictika · Electric cylinder systems

An AI sales agent's electric cylinder specification, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a specification for a machine builder who needs electric cylinders: the series and force class, the control version, the MultiControl II controllers, the number of drives and the stroke. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the data in the manufacturer's public catalogue and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed. It computes no price: the catalogue gives none.

Scope: RK Rose+Krieger LZ 60 S and LZ 60 P electric cylinders with MultiControl II duo and quadro controllers: force class, control version, drives per controller, bus combination, stroke, speed and installation space. No prices. See everything this validator covers

This validator models specifications for the LZ 60 S and LZ 60 P electric cylinders and their MultiControl II duo and quadro controllers, using the data in the RK Rose+Krieger Linear Technology catalogue (a Phoenix Mecano group brand), not just the scenarios shown below. It checks the technical specification; it does not compute a price.

  • Cylinders — the LZ 60 S (750 N and 3000 N) and the LZ 60 P (1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 N), in the external-control version (24 V or 36 V DC, with its own control) or the MultiControl II synchronous version (28 V DC). The catalogue gives the maximum travel speed for each combination, the standard strokes up to 600 mm with their installation dimension and weight, and special strokes up to 1200 mm on request.
  • Controllers — the MultiControl II duo (2 motor channels, up to 16 drives in a bus combination) and quadro (4 channels, up to 32 drives), each in a Basic and a Premium version. The force a drive delivers falls as more drives share one controller, so the validator derives it from the catalogue's multi-drive table and checks the required load, the force the agent states per drive and the total force against it.
  • Functions — collision detection needs a Premium controller, drive group management needs the quadro Premium, and memory positions need the hand switch with 6 function keys. More than one controller needs the bus communication accessories. The required travel speed and the installation space available are checked against the catalogue values.

Any specification for these cylinders and controllers is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: the LAMBDA cylinder, lifting columns, the duo accu / DC controllers, fixing accessories, other hand switches, duty cycle and motor current, and prices (the catalogue publishes none). Assumptions: the catalogue's multi-drive force table does not list the 1000 N LZ 60 P, so that case goes to a person; the pairing of MultiControl II with the synchronous version only is our reading of the catalogue; a bus combination is modeled as the controller count the agent quotes, with the accessories as a yes or no.

The AI sales agentBuilds the cylinder specification 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
Force per drive that falls as more drives share a controllerOnly with care
A table of forces by series, class and drives per controller has to be kept as lookups and kept in step with the catalogue; the drives per controller come from the quoted drives and controllers, so one extra line item changes the answer.		The drives per controller and the derated force are computed from the quote on every call.
Force and total force the agent statesOnly with workarounds
A stated figure is a free-entry field. A rule can compare it with a computed value, but the computed value depends on the lookup above, so the check has to be rebuilt whenever the table changes.		The stated force per drive and total force travel with the specification and are compared with the computed ones.
Controllers, channels and bus combinationOnly with workarounds
The number of controllers needed depends on the drives, the controller type and the channels of each, with a cap on drives for a bus combination; this is a ratio between lines, which product rules do not express naturally.		Drives, controllers, channels, bus accessories and the drive limit are checked together.
Installation dimension that depends on series and strokeOnly with care
A table by series and standard stroke, compared with the space the customer has; special strokes need a separate path.		The dimension is looked up from the series and stroke and compared with the space available; special strokes go to a person.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the specification 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 required load of 1,600 N per drive is above the 1,500 N each drive delivers in this configuration.
2The required load of 1,301 N per drive is above the 1,300 N each drive delivers in this configuration.
3The quote puts 4 drives on 1 controller(s), but each controller of the type chosen has only 2 motor channel(s).
42 controllers are quoted without the bus communication accessories; more than one MultiControl II controller must be linked in a bus combination.
5The quote has 17 drives; a bus combination of the controller type chosen supports up to 16 drives.
6The quote has 33 drives; a bus combination of the controller type chosen supports up to 32 drives.
7The synchronous version is driven by a MultiControl II controller, but the quote has none.
8The required load of 2,501 N per drive is above the 2,500 N each drive delivers in this configuration.
9A force class of 2,000 N is not offered for the series chosen; the LZ 60 S is offered at 750 N and 3,000 N and the LZ 60 P at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 N.
10A force class of 750 N is not offered for the series chosen; the LZ 60 S is offered at 750 N and 3,000 N and the LZ 60 P at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 N.
11A supply voltage of 24 V is not valid for this version; the external-control version runs on 24 V or 36 V DC and the MultiControl II synchronous version on 28 V DC.
12A supply voltage of 28 V is not valid for this version; the external-control version runs on 24 V or 36 V DC and the MultiControl II synchronous version on 28 V DC.
13The required travel speed of 29 mm/s is above the 28.0 mm/s this version reaches.
14The required travel speed of 23 mm/s is above the 22.0 mm/s this version reaches.
15The installation dimension of 738.5 mm is longer than the 738 mm available.
16The installation dimension of 956.0 mm is longer than the 955 mm available.
17A stroke of 550 mm is not one of the standard stroke lengths in the catalogue; special stroke lengths are available on request, so a person should confirm it.
18A stroke of 1,200 mm is not one of the standard stroke lengths in the catalogue; special stroke lengths are available on request, so a person should confirm it.
19A stroke of 1,201 mm is out of range; standard strokes go up to 600 mm and special strokes up to 1,200 mm.
20A stroke of 0 mm is out of range; standard strokes go up to 600 mm and special strokes up to 1,200 mm.

  

  

    
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. Four-corner lifting platform: Four LZ 60 P drives for a lifting platform, all on one duo controller

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 3,000 N class, each with a 300 mm stroke, driven synchronously by 1 MultiControl II duo (premium) controller, with the hand switch with 6 function keys. Each drive must carry 2,400 N. The specification states a force of 3,000 N per drive and 12,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Too many drives for the controllers. The quote puts 4 drives on 1 controller(s), but each controller of the type chosen has only 2 motor channel(s).
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  • Load above the force available. The required load of 2,400 N per drive is above the 1,500 N each drive delivers in this configuration.
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  • Stated force per drive does not match. The quote states 3,000 N per drive; the validator computes 1,500 N per drive for this configuration.
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  • Stated total force does not match. The quote states a total force of 12,000 N; the validator computes 6,000 N for all drives.
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2. Four-corner lifting platform: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 4,000 N class, each with a 300 mm stroke, driven synchronously by 1 MultiControl II quadro (premium) controller, with the hand switch with 6 function keys. Each drive must carry 2,400 N. The specification states a force of 2,500 N per drive and 10,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. 4 drive(s) with a stroke of 300 mm; force per drive 2,500 N, total force 10,000 N; travel speed 3.0 mm/s; installation dimension 468.5 mm; weight 4.4 kg per drive; no prices are modeled.
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3. Eight-drive stage lift: Eight LZ 60 S drives for a stage lift on two basic quadro controllers

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 LZ 60 S electric cylinders of the 750 N class, each with a 600 mm stroke, driven synchronously by 2 MultiControl II quadro (basic) controllers, with the hand switch with 6 function keys. Each drive must carry 700 N, fit an installation space of up to 800 mm and the controllers must offer drive group management. The specification states a force of 750 N per drive and 6,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Controllers without bus accessories. 2 controllers are quoted without the bus communication accessories; more than one MultiControl II controller must be linked in a bus combination.
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  • Drive group management needs quadro Premium. Drive group management is a function of the MultiControl II quadro Premium only; the controller quoted does not have it.
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  • Installation dimension too long. The installation dimension of 956.0 mm is longer than the 800 mm available.
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4. Eight-drive stage lift: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 2,000 N class, each with a 600 mm stroke, driven synchronously by 2 MultiControl II quadro (premium) controllers linked with the bus communication accessories, with the hand switch with 6 function keys. Each drive must carry 700 N, fit an installation space of up to 800 mm and the controllers must offer drive group management. The specification states a force of 1,000 N per drive and 8,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. 8 drive(s) with a stroke of 600 mm; force per drive 1,000 N, total force 8,000 N; travel speed 11.0 mm/s; installation dimension 783.5 mm; weight 5.4 kg per drive; no prices are modeled.
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5. Externally controlled drives at 20 mm/s: Two externally controlled LZ 60 P drives for a 550 mm clamp stroke at 20 mm/s

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 3,000 N class, each with a 550 mm stroke, with external control on a 24 V DC supply. Each drive must carry 1,800 N, travel at least 20 mm/s. The specification states a force of 3,000 N per drive and 6,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Travel speed below the requirement. The required travel speed of 20 mm/s is above the 12.0 mm/s this version reaches.
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  • Special stroke length. A stroke of 550 mm is not one of the standard stroke lengths in the catalogue; special stroke lengths are available on request, so a person should confirm it.
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6. Externally controlled drives at 20 mm/s: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 2,000 N class, each with a 550 mm stroke, with external control on a 36 V DC supply. Each drive must carry 1,800 N, travel at least 20 mm/s. The specification states a force of 2,000 N per drive and 4,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Special stroke length. A stroke of 550 mm is not one of the standard stroke lengths in the catalogue; special stroke lengths are available on request, so a person should confirm it.
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  • Configuration summary. 2 drive(s) with a special stroke of 550 mm; force per drive 2,000 N, total force 4,000 N; travel speed 28.0 mm/s; installation dimension and weight not listed for special strokes; no prices are modeled.
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7. Externally controlled drives at 20 mm/s: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 2,000 N class, each with a 555 mm stroke, with external control on a 36 V DC supply. Each drive must carry 1,800 N, travel at least 20 mm/s. The specification states a force of 2,000 N per drive and 4,000 N in total. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. 2 drive(s) with a stroke of 555 mm; force per drive 2,000 N, total force 4,000 N; travel speed 28.0 mm/s; installation dimension 738.5 mm; weight 5.2 kg per drive; no prices are modeled.
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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 specification for a machine builder who needs electric cylinders: the series and force class, the control version, the MultiControl II controllers, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the data in the manufacturer's public catalogue and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed. It computes no price: the catalogue gives none.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 4 LZ 60 P electric cylinders of the 3,000 N class, each with a 300 mm stroke, driven synchronously by 1 MultiControl II duo (premium) controller. Each drive must carry 2,400 N. The rest of the request is on screen. The specification states a force of 3,000 N per drive and 12,000 N in total.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. The quote puts 4 drives on 1 controller(s), but each controller of the type chosen has only 2 motor channel(s). The required load of 2,400 N per drive is above the 1,500 N each drive delivers in this configuration. The quote states 3,000 N per drive; the validator computes 1,500 N per drive for this configuration. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four 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.
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  7. What this shows: for force per drive that falls as more drives share a controller, 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 force class to 4,000 N, the controller to MultiControl II quadro, premium, the stated force per drive to 2,500 N and the stated total force to 10,000 N.
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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. All four earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  13. Four 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.