A key cutting and decoding apparatus positions a key blank relative to two distinct, independently movable key cutters and decoding probes. A frame includes a reference axis extending longitudinally from the front of the frame to the rear of the frame. Two locking slots hold removable key blank holders upon a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is arranged for movement along both an X-axis, generally axial direction of the reference axis, and a Y-axis, generally transverse to the reference axis of the frame. A first cutting assembly moves a cutting drill vertically, along a Z-axis generally orthogonal to each of the reference axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis. A second cutting assembly moves a cutting wheel rotationally, about a rotational axis orthogonal to the Z-axis.

An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.

A key blank loading cartridge includes a sleeve defining a cavity for holding a stack of key blades within a box of key blanks. The key blanks are releasably retained in the cartridge cavity by their blade portions leaving the head portions of the blanks exposed. After having been removed from the box, the so retained stack of key blanks is ready to be loaded as a single unit in a corresponding key blank magazine. Once the head portions of the key blanks have been engaged in the magazine, the sleeve can be pulled off the blanks and returned to the key blank manufacturer and reused in another key blank shipping package.

A flipper presents a key-receiving and positioning component to a user having a known key type that is not conducive to laser scanning or the like on a flat imaging glass plate; 2) a key storage system comprising a matrix of known storage cells and an automated system used to automatically identify, locate and select keys stored in the storage matrix; 3) enhanced packaging formats for storing a variety of keys for efficient picking and placing of the keys for cutting operation and a Faux Key Blade for use in packaging of smartkeys and OBD Dongle products that do not have a key blade incorporated therein or is a detachable feature; 4) a gripping or grabbing mechanism adapted to effectively pull a desired duplicate key from a known storage spot or cell among a key product storage matrix of storage cells; and 5) an effective escrow of collective delivery system to deliver multiple items or key products in one transaction as opposed to piecemeal transactions.

A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.

An automatic key duplicating machine is disclosed. A master key identification module includes at least one key blade cross-section detector with a plurality of sliding elements, the master key identification module being configured to determine a key type for a master key based at least in part on engagement of the plurality of sliding elements with a blade profile of the master key. A key extraction module is configured to retrieve a key blank of an identified key type. A key cutting module is configured to cut the key blank in accordance with a tooth pattern of the master key.

Systems and methods for duplicating keys are disclosed. A key duplication system receives a key blank into a key receiving module. The key receiving module includes opposable jaws that assist with alignment of the key blank within the module. The key receiving module also includes an end stop that engages the tip of the received key blank and is linearly displaced as the key blank is further inserted. The linear displacement of the end stop is compared to a known value corresponding to a length of the shank of the key blank, and if the displacement does not match the known value, the user is instructed to re-orient the key blank.

An automatic key duplicating machine is disclosed. A master key identification module includes at least one key blade cross-section detector with a plurality of sliding elements, the master key identification module being configured to determine a key type for a master key based at least in part on engagement of the plurality of sliding elements with a blade profile of the master key. A key extraction module is configured to retrieve a key blank of an identified key type. A key cutting module is configured to cut the key blank in accordance with a tooth pattern of the master key.

Systems and methods for duplicating keys are disclosed. A key duplication system receives a key blank into a key receiving module. The key receiving module includes opposable jaws that assist with alignment of the key blank within the module. The key receiving module also includes an end stop that engages the tip of the received key blank and is linearly displaced as the key blank is further inserted. The linear displacement of the end stop is compared to a known value corresponding to a length of the shank of the key blank, and if the displacement does not match the known value, the user is instructed to re-orient the key blank.

A portable manual vertical milling key duplicating machine comprising a body, a main axis component, a guide component, a clamping component, a feeding component, a power storage unit, a display unit and an electric control unit. This solution provides a pre-positioned precise guide mechanism and an adjustable handrail and is capable of improving the precision of key processing in multiple aspects and increasing stability during key processing. It has a compact structure with an upper/lower separate two-way sliding table configuration, thereby substantially reducing the machine size, and the body is divided into three areas, thereby ensuring good protection.