Tester for key duplicating machines

A method of testing the radial alignment between a rotary cutter tool and a follower guide of a key duplicating machine, said machine having a first vise for holding a key blank, a second vise for holding a cut key, and means for simultaneously moving said first vise and said second vise toward and away from said cutter tool and said follower guide, respectively, said method comprising:

• securing a first detector plate in said first vise, said first detector plate being electrically insulated from said first vise;
• securing a second identical detector plate in said second vise, said second detector plate being electrically insulated from said second vise;
• connecting said first detector plate to a first terminal of a source of voltage through a circuit containing a first visable indicator powered by said source;
• connecting a second terminal of said source of voltage to said key duplicating machine;
• moving said first and said second vises toward said cutter tool and said follower guide, respectively, until an uninsulated portion of at least one detector plate is contacted to complete an electrical circuit to at least one of said visable indicators;
• whereby when both of said first and said second visable indicators are simultaneously illuminated, said radial alignment is correct.

A method of testing the lateral alignment between a rotary cutter tool and a follower guide of a key duplicating machine, said machine having a shoulder guide, a first vise for holding a key blank, a second vise for holding a cut key, and means for simultaneously moving said first vise and said second vise toward and away from said cutter tool and said follower guide, respectively, said method comprising:

• placing a first detector plate in said first vise, said first detector plate being insulated from said first vise and being provided with an uninsulated shoulder portion to receive said cutter tool;
• placing a second identical detector plate in said second vise, said second detector plate being insulated from said second vise and being provided with an uninsulated shoulder portion to receive said follower guide;
• moving said first and said second vises toward said cutter tool and said follower guide whereby said uninsulated shoulder portions of said first and said second detector plates physically contact said cutter tool and follower guide, respectively;
• securing said detector plates in said vises;
• connecting said first detector plate to a first terminal of a source of voltage through a circuit containing a first visable indicator powered by said voltage;
• connecting said second detector plate to said first terminal of said source of voltage through a circuit containing a second visable indicator powered by said source;
• connecting a second terminal of said source of voltage to said key duplicating machine;
• moving said shoulder guide against said detector plates until at least one of said uninsulated shoulder portions is contacted by said shoulder guide;
• whereby when both of said first and said second visable indicators are simultaneously illuminated, said lateral alignment is correct.

A method of testing the lateral alignment between a V-shaped rotary cutter tool and a V-shaped follower guide of a key duplicating machine, said machine having a shoulder guide, a first vise for holding a key blank, a second vise for holding a cut key, and means for simultaneously moving said first vise and said second vise toward and away from said cutter tool and said follower guide, respectively, said method comprising:

• placing a first detector plate in said first vise, said first detector plate being insulated from said first vise and being provided with an uninsulated shoulder portion to receive said shoulder guide and an uninsulated V-notch to receive said cutter tool;
• placing a second identical detector plate in said second vise, said second detector plate being insulated from said second vise and being provided with an uninsulated shoulder portion to receive said shoulder guide and an uninsulated V-notch to receive said follower guide;
• moving said first and said second vises toward said cutter tool and said follower guide whereby said uninsulated V-notch portions of said first and said second detector plates physically contact said cutter tool and follower guide, respectively;
• securing said detector plates in said vises;
• connecting said first detector plate to a first terminal of a source of voltage through a circuit containing a first visable indicator powered by said voltage source;
• connecting said second detector plate to said first terminal of said source of voltage through a circuit containing a second visable indicator powered by said voltage source;
• connecting a second terminal of said source of voltage to said key duplicating machine;
• moving said shoulder guide against said detector plates until at least one of said uninsulated shoulder portions is contacted by said shoulder guide;
• whereby when both of said first and said second visable indicators are simultaneously illuminated, said lateral alignment is correct.