Keys can be made of brass, steel, silver nickel (nickel silver – noble metal used for cylinder keys and in the automotive field), aluminum, cast iron, plastic polymers, ultralite an aluminum/titanium alloy used in aeronautics. Normally the metals used by Silca are alloys, sought after worldwide in the highest form and quality. Blanking is the stage that gives the real imprint to the outer shape of the key Silca produces 66 000 article variants that are made from several tens of thousands of basic shapes, which are extracted from the raw material thanks to dies designed and made by:

RAW MATERIALS.

Steel and brass strips prepared for use in production. It is essential that the raw material offers the best characteristics in terms of durability, flexibility in use, elasticity to twisting, and much more. Silca every day, and all over the world, is active in a careful search for the best international suppliers. Each of them must be certified to high quality and service standards, sourcing raw material in even the most distant country. Each batch of any raw material is thoroughly tested and inspected before entering production.

KEY MOULD. WHEN THE KEY TEMPLATE TAKES SHAPE.

The raw material, in strips or millettes depending on the processing, in the case of drawing is loaded at a constant pitch into the machine’s die, and at each stroke the die allows 2 mirrored key shapes to be sheared. Silca takes extreme care in the use of materials, before and during the machining process all scrap metals are collected and then directed to further uses. All reusable metals are recovered, melted down and fed back into the production cycle after further careful inspection. The careful processes and high control of the work steps ensure that nothing is wasted or lost while maintaining high quality standards.

MILLING

An important phase of work in which the sheared outline of the key is enriched with the traces of the channels along the barrel. The process, which is carried out using machinery set with specific cutting kits (one for each individual key item), is managed with absolute care and optimized from the point of view of logistics flows. Specialized operators check and select the suitable cutting kits by drawing on an automated warehouse with more than 100 levels and arranging the materials for each individual work station in perfect synchrony with the availability of the keys that are to be machined. Key milling is operated with continuous control over the centesimal precision of key cutting tolerances. Control is ensured both by state-of-the-art machinery and by the workstation personnel.

DORSING

An important process, carried out by experienced personnel who with the help of machinery enable the back of the key to be machined so that it is adapted to rotate more easily inside the lock and consequently function properly inside the lock and for longer.

CONIATURA

Coining is the rather creative process step that allows the key to be printed on the key with very high quality and precision by personalizing it with: different designs, texts and graphic subjects at the customer’s request.

NICKELATURA

Once coined the keys are transferred to a process , called nickel plating, which through several passes and immersions in different chemical solutions leads to the covering of the key surface with a few microns of Silver Nickel. This is the step by which the key that has been sheared, milled, dorsated, and coined is made strong and durably shiny. Thanks to this electrolytic process that allows the product not only to shine but also to endure unaltered for a long time.

LAMINATION

A process that affects colored keys and car keys, the heads of which are made of durable and colorful plastic materials. Many variations, and very high quality both in the case of color and in the more sober car for vehicles.

CHECKS

Silca’s key production is characterized by an excellent balance between technology and human sensitivity balanced in an optimal relationship that over time has ensured the maintenance of excellent quality standards for any type of key as well as many years of duration to the partnerships with major lock manufacturers and the automotive sector. Many electronic and visual checks of key quality, a must for the automotive sector and for all Silca keys. A process within a process that combines technology with human sensitivity and experience.

PACKING

Keys reach the market through packages that are increasingly tailored to the needs of the recipients.