Silca Ultracode

[goldpro]

We use a Silca Ultracode code machine at work and it's several years old.
It's able to cut lots of different makes of keys on it's own and it can be connected to a computer code program
but the manual we have doesn't have any depth and spacing charts so we are forced to guess at the correct "card" numbers to use for a given make or blank. This is often very frustrating. We've contacted ilco but no help seems to be available.

For example It has no listing for Peterborough. But, I'm almost certain that within it's large memory there is a card number that would work but they have hidden away the depth and spacing charts inside it's brain and I can't access them.

Can anyone help with a depth and spacing chart that corresponds to the card numbers for this machine?

Thank you kindly,
Tom

[aussielocky]

You need to get hold of the Silca keyblank catalogues (available online) these list the card numbers used in the machine.

[I Pik U]

We've got two of these machines, as we had two locations.
I don't recall a written list, but will check the manuals and paperwork we have.
We've always used a computer with the machine, so never looked up the card #s themselves.

[goldpro]

Thanks for your reply.
We have the computer hooked up to it also and
often use the code program called Kreate-a-key. What program do you use?
We will be getting a software update soon so our card numbers will
go from about 1500 up to 3500 or so. I contacted silca but they just sent a link to
the latest pdf update which we printed out. A quick look through it looked like
a lot of those new card numbers will be kinda useless as they are for European
or cylinder types we'll never come across here. I was hoping to get a depth/space list so if I come across
an oddball cyld I could measure the spacing and find a card number already in the machine's
brain to use to cut keys. We now have a Framon #2 manual code machine so I just use it
rather than get frustrated with the ultracode.
The newest pdf only lists silca key numbers ...do you know of an up to date conversion chart silca to ilco,
ilco to silca other than the ilco key catalogue?

Thanks for your input. Good to know there are others out there with the same unit.
Tom

[I Pik U]

InstaCode is the Program we use with the Ultracode machine.

I know what you mean about creating a key to a cylinder by it's spacings.
I will use a Jensen Microdial as I can just turn a wheel to whatever spacing I want, and depths.
Then duplicate on the Ultracode later. lol

up to date conversion chart silca to ilco

I will have a look.

[tazy]

an oddball cyld I could measure the spacing and find a card number already in the machine's
brain to use to cut keys. We now have a Framon #2 manual code machine so I just use it
rather than get frustrated with the ultracode.
The newest pdf only lists silca key numbers ...do you know of an up to date conversion chart silca to ilco,
ilco to silca other than the ilco key catalogue?

[ptlockguy]

I have a question regarding the Jensen Microdial Key Crafter.

From the pictures I've seen, I've built a copy of this machine and have the cutter mounted, a key vise mounted on the carriage and a dial-indicator for spacing. In testing, I'm able to cut the edge of a key blank straight within .001 in. I'm also able to get accurate spacing. All that is left on this project is to mount the depth of cut indicator.

It looks like the dial indicator is mounted on an extension of the cross-slide. Or is this just an illusion?
It seems like it would read backwards. Not a big problem as long as I remember to read the red numbers or think in terms of cut depth and increments, rather than a definite dimension.

Example: Kwikset depth 1 = .329

I measure the key blamk and it might be .331
I align the shoulder with the right side of the key vise and move the carriage until my space indicator reads .247 (center of first cut). Then, I carefully move the blamk towards the cutter, until first contact. Zero the depth indicator.

If the first cut is a 1, I just widen the cut by .015 - .020 each direction. For a 2 cut, advance .023 on depth and widen. A 3 cut would be .046, 4 = .069, 5 = .092 and 6 = .115

That might actually be simpler than trying to read the actual dimension.

[I Pik U]

Here's a picture of the Jensen.
I can get some better images showing what you need later.

[I Pik U]

Sorry, still need to check for the Ultracode info....

[I Pik U]

Had some time to look.
There is a list of manufactures and the card # used for each in the book.
Does not give spacing or depths, but maybe you could add to the list somehow.
Let me know if you would like the list of man. and card #s.