Key duplication machine
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank.
1. An assembly for duplicating a master key, said assembly comprising:
a key blank positioned within a plane;
a non-contact sensing device configured to capture data related to the position of said key blank within said plane;
a logic configured to determine a key pattern of said master key, and to determine a cut path based on said key pattern and said position of said key blank; and
a first cutting member for cutting said key pattern into said key blank.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said non-contact sensing device includes an imaging device.
3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein said imaging device is a camera.
4. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein said data includes an image of at least a portion of said key blank.
5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein said image is a digital image.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said non-contact sensing device includes a laser.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cutting member is a cutting wheel.
8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a supporting surface to support said key blank within said plane.
9. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a clamping assembly.
10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein said clamping assembly includes a first clamping member having a first clamping surface defining a width and a second clamping member having a second clamping surface defining a width.
11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein said key blank further comprises a blade defining a width, and wherein said width of first clamping member and said width of second clamping member are less than said width of blade of key blank.