"Sometimes I get calls from facilities and dealer service engineers regarding processing problems, which often turn out to be incorrectly established aims, or errors in crossovers, and not using the density control to compensate for speed changes from one emulsion to another.   One of the things that I have observed is that processing aims completely ignore ACR recommendations and manufacturer's recommendations.  For example, Speed Step - 1.68 OD and the DD- outside of 1.55 and 2.20 OD, the range recommendations for contrast.  A Speed Step above 1.60 OD is off the straight line portion of the  H&D curve, which can lead to unnecessary  variability.  I expect the problem to be widespread, especially with Min-R EV.

There are two recommended corrections:  (1) Aims Audit to comply with manufacturer's recommendation and, or contact X-Rite to get new dip switch number that will change the step wedge scale to capture recommended ranges.  Otherwise facilities are imaging on the wrong portion of the H&D curve, and they are not getting the image quality that manufacturers have built into the film..

I ask the facilities to document the recommended changes to provide clarity for Inspectors."

****BUT REMEMBER . . . IF YOU HAVE STATED THAT YOU FOLLOW THE ACR MANUAL FOR QC PROCEDURES AND THEN DEVIATE FROM ACR GUIDANCE, YOU CAN BE CITED FOR NOT FOLLOWING YOUR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP).  ANY GUIDANCE YOU USE OUTSIDE OF ACR GUIDANCE MUST BE STATED WITHIN YOUR OPERATING PROCEDURES****