Key cutting machine for cutting keys by code

A key cutting machine for cutting a double sided key having first and second sides and a width by a code comprising:

• a key holder having a keyrest;
• a cutter positioned at a variable distance from the key holder;
• a driver in driving engagement with at least one of the cutter and the key holder, wherein the key and the cutter can be moved into contact with each other;
• a detector positioned in key sensing relationship with the key and directly sensing the key when the key is held in the key holder, the key detector having a detector output, a second key side signal indicative of a position of the key to be cut when the first side is received by the keyrest and a first key side signal indicative of a position of the key to be cut when the key is held in the key holder without the keyrest receiving the second side;
• and
• a controller having a controller input connected to the detector output and a controller output connected to the driver;
• wherein the controller input receives the first and second key side signals from the detector output and sends a driver control signal from the controller output to the driver based on the positions of the first and second sides of the key, the width of the key and the code.

A method of cutting a key having first and second edges using a code comprising the steps of:

• holding the key in a key holder such that the first edge is exposed for cutting and the second edge is spaced away from a keyrest on the key holder;
• directly detecting a position of the first edge of the key with a key detector;
• providing a signal which represents the position of the key from the key detector to a controller;
• determining a cutting sequence in the controller based on the signal and the code;
• and
• cutting the first edge by varying a distance between the key holder and the key cutter according to the cutting sequence.