Port City Apr 23, 2015:

Oh, I was only explaining why ノギスで対応 can be rendered as "use a vernier caliper to measure ..." and the heavy render of "address the measuring need with a use of a vernier caliper" was just an interpretation during the process before arriving at the compact translation.
Generally, the shorter the sentence, the better. I mean the impact is stronger.

I agree "handle" is a useful expression when translating 「に対応」. But it can be used even when means are mentioned. (I used it in my first discussion post to render 「（想定されている状況）に対応」.

Marc Brunet Apr 23, 2015:

mmmh，the latest suggestion you make, Port City, might seem OK as a paraphrase to explain how "address" functions in this context with mention of a tool/means, but I would personally avoid it as part of a translation for a simple reason: it is much too heavy and CineFil-san's turn of phrase is much more natural and idiomatic, don't you think, looking back on it?
"Addressing +Obj" in the sense of 'handling+Obj' does work best in the absence of any means being mentioned in the same sentence/clause.
Its most frequent collocations incorporate complex combinations of circumstances not readily/immediately solvable.
At least, that's my own experience of the term used in such contexts. Not yours? :-)

Port City Apr 23, 2015:

Thank you for the useful rendering of「～に対応」, mmb42. In fact, I believe 「ノギスで対応」is 「（測定ニーズに）ノギスで対応」(address the measuring need with a use of vernier caliper), which practically is the same as "use a vernier caliper to measure (whatever they need to measure)."

Marc Brunet Apr 23, 2015:

one more useful rendering of 「~に対応」 Subject to Minoru-san's wise caveat, another very economic and handy way of rendering 「~に対応」 meaning "respond to ~" （with/without a particular reference to 'how/with what means'） is : "address (the ~ situation) [by Vb-ing ~/as appropriate/ urgently/...]

Minoru Kuwahara Apr 22, 2015:

May recommend you always think about what Japanese particles are associated with 対応 and what hidden objects are in the behind because potential meanings vary according to such elements.

Maiyim Baron Apr 22, 2015:

great responses which appear to cover most if not all usages and nuances of this very useful phrase. Nice differentiation of 「～に対応」 and 「～で対応」. Thanks!

Port City Apr 22, 2015:

I think ～で対応 can be literally translated as "respond (to something) with", which is the last meaning in the second table below:
http://thesaurus.weblio.jp/content/対応する
Meanwhile, 対応 as "compatible with" falls into both the first and second rows in the table. But I think it's more often used with ～に when used in this sense. (「～に対応」 can also mean "respond to" but it doesn't mean respond "with a means." 「～で対応」 should be "to respond with a means." ノギス should be a means here.

Marc Brunet Apr 22, 2015:

Is this the 対応 rendering you are missing? ... I know I did, and was so glad when I learnt it from someone else. It can be so useful, particularly when found by itself, without any preposition, in a table column.
In the documentation of complex products working in combination with other complex components or adjuncts, the term that recurs countless times, particularly in data sheets/tabloids, opposite/within the entry of a particular listed item is 対応 (= Supported (meaning : main product A supports, i.e. is compatible and works with adjunct product/item B)
You don't need it in the context you just raised, but you definitely will, sooner or later...:-)

Port City Apr 22, 2015:

The reason why 対応 is used here I assume the document mentions or implies there is a situation that needs to be attended and ノギスで対応 is to show how to handle the situation - by using a vernier caliper. It can be translated as "use a vernier caliper to handle the situation," but since the situation is apparently "needing lengths to be measured," the translation can be modified to "use a vernier caliper to measure (whatever)" as cinefil san has suggested.
I hope this fits the context and explains why 対応 is used. Even if it doesn't fit the context, I would still translate 対応 as "use " because ノギス is fundamentally a tool to be used, not something to be beheld as an ornament ...