Systems and methods for creating duplicate keys

A method for making duplicate keys comprising:

• providing a key storage matrix having a mapped system of storage cells for storing key products;
• retrieving, by a key product retrieval system, a blank key product from a set of blank key products, including by causing at least one motor or actuator to selectively move a gripper mechanism along a two-dimensional axis to a target cell location along the key storage matrix to pick a target key product known to be stored in a storage cell associated with the target cell location;
• delivering, by the gripper mechanism, the retrieved blank key product to a key cutter;
• and
• cutting, by the key cutter, a key blade of the retrieved and delivered blank key product;
• wherein each storage cell contains a single packaged key product for accessing by the key product retrieval system;
• and
• wherein the storage matrix comprises a first set of storage cells configured to receive key product packaging of a first format and a second set of storage cells configured to receive key product packaging of a second format different than the first format, the first set of storage cells having a first dimension set corresponding to the first format, and a second set of storage cells having a second dimension set corresponding to the second format.

A packaging system for use in connection with a key storage matrix comprising a plurality of storage cells, the packaging system comprising:

• a first package having a first format having a first set of dimensions and configured to accommodate a first set of key products;
• a second package having a second format having a second set of dimensions and configured to accommodate a second set of key products, the second format being different than the first format, the second set of dimensions being different than the first set of dimensions and the second set of key products being different that the first set of key products;
• each of the first and second package having a blade access through which a key blade of a key product contained in the package extends whereby at least a portion of the key blade is exposed and protrudes outside the package;
• wherein the first package set of dimensions is configured to closely match at least two dimensions of a first set of storage cells in a storage matrix and the second package set of dimensions is configured to closely match at least two dimensions of a second set of storage cells, whereby the first package format is capable of being received in a close-fitting but removable fashion within the first set of storage cells and the second package format is capable of being received in a close-fitting but removable fashion within the second set of storage cells.