Internal cut keys, also known as laser-cut or sidewinder keys, function by having grooves and cuts milled into the flat sides of the key blade, rather than the traditional top and bottom edges. These cuts interact with corresponding tumblers or wafers within the car's ignition cylinder, allowing the car to start if the cuts are correctly aligned.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Key Design: Internal cut keys have a distinctive appearance with smooth, square edges and identical cuts on both flat sides. This design distinguishes them from traditional mechanical keys, which have jagged edges cut along the top and bottom.
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Symmetry: Due to the symmetrical cuts on both sides, internal cut keys can be inserted into the ignition in either orientation. This eliminates the need to orient the key in a specific direction.
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Wafer/Tumbler Interaction: When the key is inserted into the ignition cylinder, the precisely milled cuts engage with a series of wafers or tumblers. These wafers or tumblers must be pushed to the correct position by the key's cuts to allow the ignition cylinder to turn.
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Precision Manufacturing: Creating internal cut keys requires specialized equipment, typically laser cutting machines, to achieve the necessary precision. This higher level of precision contributes to increased security compared to traditional keys.
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Enhanced Security: Internal cut keys offer enhanced security features. The intricate cuts and their interaction with multiple wafers or tumblers make them more difficult to duplicate and bypass compared to traditional keys. This added security is a primary reason for their increasing popularity in modern vehicles.
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Examples: Many modern vehicles from brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and others utilize internal cut keys.
In summary, internal cut keys use precisely milled cuts on the flat sides of the key blade to interact with wafers or tumblers inside the ignition cylinder, enabling the car to start. Their symmetrical design, precision manufacturing, and intricate cuts contribute to increased security and ease of use.
