The Role Of Lock Parts

Metal injection molding is a technology that combines plastic injection molding and powder metallurgy to produce complex parts that cannot be produced by traditional machining methods. MIM mass-produces smaller, more complex parts such as MIM-Lock parts at cost-effective prices.

The main components of the door lock are the lock cylinder, the bolt, the lock box, and the striker.

Components of a traditional lock：

Lock cylinder (lock body)

The cylinder or lock body is the part of the door lock where you insert the key. When it is locked, the cylinder engages a series of spring-loaded pins to prevent the cylinder from turning. When you insert the key, the bumpy edge pushes the pin-up so that the height of the key matches that position in the lock body.

Bolt or latch

The lock engages the bolt inside the door. This piece of metal extends from the door into the frame and remains closed. There are two main styles of latches (or bolts) - spring bolts and deadbolts.

Spring Bolt – A spring latch is a bolt held in place by a spring clip. The spring is compressed to unlock the bolt, and when released, it snaps into the locked position. This type of door usually locks automatically when closed.

Deadbolt - Deadbolt has no spring-loaded mechanism. It can be locked or unlocked at any time using the key or the knob on the side of the door. The deadbolt is generally considered the safer choice between the two bolts, especially when the lock has a deadbolt plunger.

Boxes and pads

The bolt extends from the cylinder into a small square hole - this is the "box". It is designed to hold the bolt securely to the door frame when the lock is engaged. The metal plate fixed to the door frame is the crash plate. The purpose of the strike plate is to guide the bolts from the cylinder into the box of the frame and to provide additional reinforcement to the locking mechanism.