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

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  

    
What this means
Run the validator to see the outcome
The explanation appears here once the validator returns.

    

  

  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
Click to expand
    
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
Click to expand
    
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.