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What is the maximum adjacent cut specification or MACS?

What is MACS? MACS or Maximum Adjacent Cut Specification for key cutting refers to the maximum variance allowed between two adjacent cuts on a key.  When an adjacent pair of cuts on a key violates the MACS rule, it causes some or all of the shallower cut to be removed by the key cutting machine.  

Why does it happen? MACS occurs due to three factors: the angle of the key cuts, the depth of the key cuts, and the spacing of the key cuts.  These factors combine to create the possibility of invalid adjacent key cuts.  Since each manufacturer uses different measurements for the angle, depth, and spacing of their key cuts, MACS is not consistent from one manufacturer to another.  

What are the MACS values for Schlage and Falcon keys?

  • For Schlage Conventional and Full Size keyways (see keyway families listed below), the MACS is 7.  Violators of this rule would be bittings with the following adjacent pairs: 0 and 8, 0 and 9, 1 and 9. 
  • For Schlage Small Format (and SL) keyway families, there is no MACS.  All adjacent pairs are acceptable.
  • For most Falcon Conventional keyways, the MACS is 5.  Violators of this rule would be bittings with the following adjacent pairs: 0 and 6, 0 and 7, 0 and 8, 0 and 9, 1 and 7, 1 and 8, 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 2 and 9, and 3 and 9.  
  • For Falcon Small Format keyways, there is no MACS.  All adjacent pairs are acceptable.


NOTES:
Schlage Conventional/Full Size keyway families are: Obverse, Reverse, Paracentric (Numbered), Quad, Everest C, Everest D, Everest 29 S, and Everest 29 T.

Schlage Small Format/SL keyway families are: Everest B and Everest 29 R.




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