Predictika · Nexera UHPLC systems on the SCL-40 controller

An AI sales agent's Nexera system quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a liquid chromatography system quote for a lab: solvent delivery units, an autosampler, column ovens and detectors on one SCL-40 system controller, plus the method the lab needs to run. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published Nexera specifications and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Nexera systems on the SCL-40 controller: unit limits, pump and autosampler pressure classes, flow rate and injection volume. See everything this validator covers

This validator models Nexera systems built on the SCL-40 system controller from the public Shimadzu configuration and specification pages, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Controller capacity — the SCL-40 connects up to 4 solvent delivery units, 1 autosampler, up to 4 column ovens and up to 2 detectors, and 8 units in total (12 with the expansion option).
  • Pump pressure by flow rate — four solvent delivery classes (LC-40D 44 MPa, LC-40B XR 70 MPa, LC-40D XS 105 MPa, LC-40B X3 130 MPa) with the pressure each allows in the bands up to 3, up to 5 and up to 10 mL/min.
  • Autosampler — four classes (SIL-40C 44 MPa, SIL-40C XR 80 MPa, SIL-40C XS 105 MPa, SIL-40C X3 130 MPa); standard injection volume up to 100 uL (SIL-40C) or 50 uL (the others), up to 2000 uL with the extended injection option.
  • Stated figures — the connected-unit total stated on the quote is compared with the modules actually quoted.

Any Nexera system quote on the SCL-40 that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Shimadzu publishes none for Nexera, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), the CBM-40 controllers, degassers and accessories, other pump and autosampler variants, detector and oven models, software, and regional availability.

The AI sales agentBuilds the system quote from the lab method 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
A method pressure above a module's classOnly with care
Each pump and autosampler class has its own pressure rating, so each needs its own rule, and a new class adds more rules to maintain.		The method and every module are in one request and compared on every call.
Pump pressure that falls as the flow rate risesOnly with workarounds
The allowed pressure depends on the pump class and on the flow band, so it takes a lookup table or a rule for every combination.		The pump class and the flow rate set the allowed pressure and the method is compared with it on every call.
Controller limits per module type and in totalOnly with care
Separate counts per module type plus an overall unit limit that changes with an option, each kept as its own rule.		Each count and the total are checked together, with the option changing the limit.
A stated unit total that disagrees with the modulesOnly with workarounds
The figure the agent states is free text or a separate field, so it takes an extra rule that compares it with the quoted modules.		The stated figure is part of the request and is compared with the computed total on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote 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 method needs 45 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 44 MPa at that flow rate.
2The method needs 45 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 44 MPa.
3The method needs 71 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 70 MPa at that flow rate.
4The method needs 106 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 105 MPa at that flow rate.
5The method needs 106 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 105 MPa.
6The method needs 131 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 130 MPa at that flow rate.
7The method needs 131 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 130 MPa.
8The method needs 60 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 44 MPa.
9The method needs 81 MPa at 4,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 80 MPa at that flow rate.
10The method needs 23 MPa at 10,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 22 MPa at that flow rate.
11The required flow rate is 10,001 uL/min; the pump range tops out at 10,000 uL/min (10 mL/min).
12The quote has 9 connected units (solvent delivery units, autosampler, column ovens and detectors); the SCL-40 controller connects 8.
13The quote has 5 solvent delivery units; the SCL-40 controller connects at most 4.
14The quote has 2 autosamplers; the SCL-40 controller connects 1.
15The quote has 5 column ovens; the SCL-40 controller connects at most 4.
16The quote has 3 detectors; the SCL-40 controller connects at most 2.
17The method injects 101 uL; the quoted autosampler allows up to 100 uL.
18The method injects 51 uL; the quoted autosampler allows up to 50 uL.
19The method injects 2,001 uL; the quoted autosampler allows up to 2,000 uL.
20The quote states 4 connected units; the quoted modules add up to 5.
21The quote states 6 connected units; the quoted modules add up to 5.

  

  

    
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. Pressure class: A 100 MPa method on an XR pump and autosampler, with the unit total miscounted

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 2 LC-40B XR solvent delivery units, 1 SIL-40C XR autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector. The method runs at 100 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The quote states 4 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Pump pressure rating too low. The method needs 100 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 70 MPa at that flow rate.
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  • Autosampler pressure rating too low. The method needs 100 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 80 MPa.
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  • Stated unit total does not match. The quote states 4 connected units; the quoted modules add up to 5.
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2. Pressure class: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 2 LC-40B X3 solvent delivery units, 1 SIL-40C X3 autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector. The method runs at 100 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The quote states 5 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 5 connected units against a controller limit of 8; pump allows 130 MPa at the required flow, autosampler is rated to 130 MPa, injection limit 50 uL.
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3. Large system: Four pumps, two ovens and two detectors on one controller

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 4 LC-40D solvent delivery units, 1 SIL-40C autosampler, 2 column ovens and 2 detectors. The method runs at 40 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The quote states 9 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Controller unit limit exceeded. The quote has 9 connected units (solvent delivery units, autosampler, column ovens and detectors); the SCL-40 controller connects 8.
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4. Large system: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 4 LC-40D solvent delivery units, 1 SIL-40C autosampler, 2 column ovens and 2 detectors, with the controller expansion option. The method runs at 40 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The quote states 9 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 9 connected units against a controller limit of 12; pump allows 44 MPa at the required flow, autosampler is rated to 44 MPa, injection limit 100 uL.
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5. Large-volume injection: A 500 uL injection on a standard-range autosampler

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 1 LC-40B X3 solvent delivery unit, 1 SIL-40C X3 autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector. The method runs at 100 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 500 uL injection. The quote states 4 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Injection volume out of range. The method injects 500 uL; the quoted autosampler allows up to 50 uL.
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6. Large-volume injection: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 1 LC-40B X3 solvent delivery unit, 1 SIL-40C X3 autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector, with the extended injection range. The method runs at 100 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 500 uL injection. The quote states 4 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 4 connected units against a controller limit of 8; pump allows 130 MPa at the required flow, autosampler is rated to 130 MPa, injection limit 2,000 uL.
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7. Flow rate: A 12 mL/min method with a mismatched unit total

    
The agent's request. Please quote an SCL-40 system with 1 LC-40B X3 solvent delivery unit, 1 SIL-40C X3 autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector. The method runs at 20 MPa and 12 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The quote states 5 connected units. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Flow rate above the pump range. The required flow rate is 12,000 uL/min; the pump range tops out at 10,000 uL/min (10 mL/min).
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  • Stated unit total does not match. The quote states 5 connected units; the quoted modules add up to 4.
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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 liquid chromatography system quote for a lab: solvent delivery units, an autosampler, column ovens and detectors on one SCL-40 system controller, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published Nexera specifications 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 an SCL-40 system with 2 LC-40B XR solvent delivery units, 1 SIL-40C XR autosampler, 1 column oven and 1 detector. The method runs at 100 MPa and 1 mL/min with a 10 uL injection. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The method needs 100 MPa at 1,000 uL/min; the quoted pump allows 70 MPa at that flow rate. The method needs 100 MPa; the quoted autosampler is rated to 80 MPa. The quote states 4 connected units; the quoted modules add up to 5.
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  6. The validator returned three 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 a stated unit total that disagrees with the modules, 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 solvent delivery unit to LC-40B X3, the autosampler to SIL-40C X3 and the stated connected units as to 5.
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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 three earlier findings are cleared.
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  13. Three 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.
    14.