Technical Standards & Tolerances
At INTRESTEIN, we utilize precision machining and “Cold Processing” to achieve high-clarity results. However, because we work with a variety of materials and production methods, we categorize our products into three distinct Tolerance Classes.
1. Tolerance Classes
Unless otherwise specified in your project quote or product description, the following standards apply:
| Class | Description | Dimensional Tolerance | Surface Standard |
| Class A | Bespoke Art & High-End Mineral Displays | 0.1mm – 2.0mm* | Optically clear; hand-polished finish. |
| Class B | Standard Retail & Mass-Produced Goods | 1.0mm | Machined finish; minor tool paths may be visible. |
| Class X | Prototypes & Experimental Runs | Variable | “Functional Only”; may include visible testing marks. |
*⚠️The Reality of Precision: Understanding the “Tolerance Stack”⚠️
In high-end manufacturing, many providers advertise “perfect” tolerances (e.g., 0.1 mm). However, in a real-world workflow—especially one involving organic objects and hand-finishing—precision is not a single number; it is a cumulative “stack.”
At INTRESTEIN, we prioritize mechanical honesty over marketing metrics. Here is how the physical reality of production affects the final fit:
1. The Digital Foundation (Capture & Modeling)
- 3D Scanning (0.1 mm): Precision begins with data capture. Our high-resolution scanners have a baseline tolerance of 0.1 mm. This is the “noise” floor of any digital-to-physical project.
- This is one of the two tolerances many will advertise.
- Modeling Degradation: During the conversion of raw scan data into a machinable CAD model, minor “mesh-to-surface” degradation occurs. This is an unavoidable byproduct of translating organic shapes into mathematical geometry. There are often many changes to the model to allow a mineral to vertically drop into a hole without interferences. This often causes open gaps that appear to be oversized, but actually it is to allow either an interference or damage to the mineral, be it through placement or adjustments.
2. The Machining Phase (Mechanical Variables)
- CNC Precision (0.025 mm – 0.1 mm): While our machines are highly accurate, they are subject to environmental physics. Ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, and even ground vibrations from local traffic can fluctuate the effective tolerance within this range.
- Drilling Dynamics (0.25 mm): Mechanical drilling involves rotational force. Standard drill press operations involve a baseline “wobble” of approximately 0.25 mm. We account for this during the design phase to ensure functional fitment.
3. The Finishing Phase (Hand-Craftsmanship)
- Polishing & Surface Removal (0.01 mm – 2 mm): To achieve our signature optical clarity or “Cold-processed” finish, material must be physically removed from the surface. Depending on the desired luster and the initial tool marks, this process can reduce the surface by anywhere from 0.01 mm to as much as 2 mm in extreme cases.
Summary: Functional Fit vs. Theoretical Precision
When you add these variables together, the “theoretical” 0.1 mm often becomes a “functional” 0.5 mm or more.
The INTRESTEIN Standard:
We do not chase “paper tolerances” that disappear the moment a tool touches the material. Instead, we manage the Tolerance Stack through engineering expertise, ensuring that the final Object Display provides a secure, visually perfect, and structurally sound fit for the intended item.
Tolerances will vary mineral-to-mineral.