Abloy Disklock

Abloy Disklock / Disklock Pro

Abloy Disklock / Disklock Pro
Name	Abloy Disklock / Disklock Pro
Manufacturer	Abloy
Lock Type	Cylinder
Lock Design	Disc-detainer
Year(s) Produced	1985 - Present
Patent	US 3,789,638 US 4,109,495
Specifications
# of Components	5 - 11
Component Type	Disc-detainer
Related Locks
Abloy Classic Abloy Profile Abloy Exec Abloy Protec

The Disklock (or Disklock Pro) is a disc-detainer lock made by Abloy. The Disklock uses between 5 and 11 discs that interface with a sidebar. The Disklock Pro is a modified version of the standard Disklock that includes a rudimentary disk locking mechanism designed to protect against damage due to turning a not fully inserted key. The Disklock is the first disc-detainer design that allows the key to be turned both directions; previous models only allowed clockwise rotation. The Disklock and Disklock Pro models use an 'I' shaped keyway.

The Disklock and Disklock Pro are a newer form of the Abloy Classic, and both have since been superceded by many other models, the latest of which is the Abloy Protec.

Principles of operation

Abloy literature refers to the plug as the "cylinder" and the cylinder as the "housing". Lockwiki uses the traditional terms to avoid confusion.

The Disklock works by using angled bitting cuts on the key to properly rotate discs. The key is inserted and rotated 90°; the angled cuts on the key then rotate the discs in the lock. If all the discs are rotated to the correct position the sidebar can fall into the discs and the plug can be rotated. Washers are placed between discs to ensure that the key rotates each disc individually. The main advantage of the Disklock is that it can turn in either direction. This is accomplished by disc detainers with one or more true gates on each side of the disc. In locks that do not need to turn both directions (cam locks and padlocks), modified washers can be used to prevent rotation in one direction.

There are seven positions available for discs (designated 0-6), at 15° increments between 0° and 90°. In an eleven disc lock, there are 40,353,607 (7⁹) theoretical key differs. Two of the eleven discs are always 0 cuts that control the return bars.

Discs provide manipulation resistance in the form of false gates. In addition, they may use a modified cut-out shape to deter the use of improperly shaped tools. The first disc in the lock is made of hardened steel and is free-floating. This provides drill resistance as well as lockpicking resistance.

The sidebar is L shaped to prevent drilling and removal attacks.

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  The Disklock key.

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  Discs and washers used in the Disklock.

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  Discs blocking the sidebar.

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  Discs properly aligned.

Notes

• Master keying is made possible by multiple true gates cut on each disc.

Disklock Pro

Abloy launched the Disklock Pro in 1992. The Disklock Pro has a variety of improvements on the Disklock design. Foremost, the key must be completely inserted before the plug can rotate. This is accomplished by the Disc Controller (DC) system which moves a ball bearing into a dimple on the key. The ball bearing prevents the plug from rotating before it can enter the dimple of the key. It also prevents the key from being removed while the plug is rotated. The traditional Disklock would allow a key that was inserted halfway to turn the lock, and possibly damage the return bars.

The Disklock Pro also uses variable width washers to deter the use of calibrated manipulation tools, particularly those used to pick the lock.

Disklock Pro keys can be distinguished from traditional Disklock keys because they have a dimple on the blade that interfaces with a ball bearing at the top left (10 o'clock) of the keyway. They also use a different key bow when compared to Disklock and Exec models.

Padlocks that use the Disklock Pro do not use a Disc Controller but instead use the Disk Steering System (DSS) from the Abloy Exec model.

Key security levels

Disklock

Dealer restricted

Keys are only available through Abloy dealerships.

Factory restricted

Keys are only available from Abloy directly.

Market restricted

Keys are available from contracted factories that have been authorized by Abloy.

Customer restricted

Exclusive keyway profiles for specific customers; keys are available from Abloy or through in-house customer control.

Disklock Pro

Gold (Factory restricted)

Keys are only available from Abloy directly.

Silver (Customer restricted)

Exclusive keyway profiles for specific customers; keys are available from Abloy or through a local Disklock Pro dealership.

Bronze (Dealer restricted)

Keys are only available through Abloy dealerships. A security card is required to duplicate keys.

Disassembly instructions

Disassembly of the Abloy Disklock is fairly simple, though it has more parts than previous models. Care must be taken to ensure that removal of the discs is done properly. Discs cannot be flipped around and the order of washers must be preserved to ensure proper function once reassembled.

Padlocks

Note: The shackle must first be released via a key or other method of entry to non-destructively disassemble Abloy padlocks.

1. Unlock the lock and release the shackle.
2. With an allen wrench, unscrew the cylinder retaining screw (Hole on the side, near the bottom. Releasing the shackle clears this area.)
3. Lock the shackle and remove the key.
4. With the bow end of the key, unscrew and remove the cylinder faceplate.
5. Remove the plug and sidebar. Holding the disc stack with a key is recommended.

Cam locks

1. Remove the cam.
2. With a flathead screwdriver, remove the C-clip by lightly tapping counter clockwise.
3. Remove the plug and sidebar from the back of the cylinder.

Vulnerabilities

The Disklock and Disklock Pro may be vulnerable to one or more of the following:

• Lockpicking
• Impressioning
• Decoding

Note

• The Disklock can be made inoperable by partially inserting and forcibly turning the key. The Disklock Pro and subsequent models do not allow the cylinder to rotate until the key is fully inserted.

Gallery

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  Angled bitting of the Disklock key.

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  A full stack of discs and washers from a Disklock.

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  Sidebar used in the Disklock.

See also

• Abloy
• Disc-detainer
• Sidebar