The keys to the house door, garage, padlock, or bike lock accompany us every day and make our lives more secure. But how does this key-lock principle actually work? All cylinder types are basically built according to the same principle. Various core pins are contained inside the lock and a pin spring is located under each one. The core pins are of various lengths. Their length defines the grooves in the key. If the correct key for the lock is inserted into the keyway, the core pins will be pushed down. The proper key can be inserted into the profile cylinder until it hits the striker and then turned to unlock the lock.