tolerance

[rande]

I wonder if someone could help me understand tolerance?
I've heard two different ideas.
I heard the tolerance is what drops off the plate when imaged.
Kodak says its the densitometer is + or - 2%.
Asked Fuji what theirs is and he said 1%.
Trying to work out a curve for the highlights.
sorry for my ignorance, just trying to educate myself.

thanks
rande

[The_Stevinator]

I guess it depends on what context you are using it in. If you were talking about characterization curves for a CtP system. I would interpret it as being the amount of variation between what the dot size is suppose to be, and what it is.

For example:

If the platesetter was suppose to put down a 5% dot, but really put down a 6% dot, and your tolerance for accuracy is +/- 3%. You would be within tolerance.

Each manufacturer has their own quality standards that they adhere to, and claims of tolerance.

Make sense?

[David]

Tolerance is the amount of acceptable fluctuation in a measured instance.

Say you're wanting a 5% dot, a tolerance of +-1% will mean that you will accept a 6% or a 4% dot.

This can be on film, plate or a press sheet.
It can also relate to other things as in a +- in a temperature or humidity setting.

here's a quote from Wikipedia

In engineering, tolerance is the permissible limit of variation in
1) a physical dimension,
2) a measured value or property of a material, manufactured object, system, or service, or
3) other measured values (such as temperature, humidity, etc).

Dimensions, properties, or conditions may vary within certain practical limits without significantly affecting functioning of equipment or a process. Tolerances are specified to allow reasonable leeway for imperfections and inherent variability without compromising performance.

hope this helps,
David