Importance

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Abstract

A key cutting machine for cutting keys by code has a vise jaw for securely holding a key with a groove of the key aligned with respect to the vise jaw and with at least one of a tip of the key and a shoulder of the key positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the vise jaw, a key cutter, a position detector for detecting a blank edge of the key held by the vise jaw, a movement system for moving the key cutter and the vise jaw relative to one another to cut the key; and a controller for controlling the movement system to carry out a predetermined sequence of movements according to code information. The code information is referenced with respect to a blank edge of a side of the key to be cut, and the predetermined sequence of movements being referenced to the detected blank edge position. A key is cut with the key held in the vise jaw with a groove of the key aligned with respect to the vise jaw without needing to align the key with respect to a keyrest. For a double sided key having standard code information, the key is placed against a keyrest and the position detector is used to determined the width of the key. The second side of the key is then cut with the key held in the vise jaw with a groove of the key aligned with respect to the vise jaw without needing to align a remaining blank side with respect to a guide. For a double sided key having code information including a width parameter of the key blank, the key is placed against a keyrest and the position detector is used to determined the actual width of the key blank. The predetermined sequence of movements is then modified to compensate for differences in key blank width.

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First Claim