Sylinderlåser

Sylinderlåser, or cylinder locks, are a widely used type of mechanical lock in which the locking mechanism is encapsulated in a cylindrical housing. They are commonly employed on exterior doors, padlocks, and safes, and come in several variants that share the same basic operating principle.

Most traditional sylinderlåser are pin-tumbler or wafer-type cylinders. In a pin-tumbler arrangement, the cylinder contains stacks of driver pins and key pins. When a correctly cut key is inserted, the pins align at the shear line, allowing the plug to rotate and the lock to open. In wafer cylinders, the pins are flat wafers that align similarly when the appropriate key is inserted.

Other variants include disc-detainer cylinders, which use rotating discs with notches that the key aligns, and tubular pin-tumbler designs used on some furniture locks. Some high-security models add anti-pick features such as spool or mushroom pins, reinforced housings, or rotating sidebar mechanisms.

Security considerations include vulnerability to lock picking, bumping, impressioning, drilling, and key duplication. Protection typically relies on quality manufacturing, anti-pick pins, hardened materials, secure keyways, and restricted-key systems. Rekeying or replacing a cylinder is a common response when keys are lost or security is compromised.

Maintenance is generally limited to keeping the area clean, occasionally lubricating the cylinder with a graphite-based or silicone-based lubricant, and replacing worn components. Proper installation and alignment are important for reliable operation.