NEWS

Why Coin Locks Jam: Common Causes and Manufacturing Solutions
Why coin locks jam usually comes down to six causes: the wrong coin, dirt, corrosion, installation error, poor clearances or worn parts. The first step is to record where the operating cycle stops. OEM buyers should then test the real coin, door and latch as one system. What Does a Coin Lock Jam Look Like?…

Quarter-Turn Locks for Industrial Enclosures: A Specification Guide
Quarter-turn locks for industrial enclosures must match the panel cut-out, door thickness, grip, cam and operating environment. A lock can fit the hole and still fail to latch correctly. Buyers should submit a drawing and define the full assembly before ordering samples. What Is a Quarter-Turn Enclosure Lock? A quarter-turn lock uses about 90 degrees…

Keyed Alike vs Master Key Padlocks for Commercial Buyers
The choice between keyed alike vs master key padlocks depends on how many access levels you need. Choose keyed alike padlocks when one key should open every lock in a group. Choose master key padlocks when users need separate keys and a supervisor needs wider access. Commercial buyers should define this key plan before selecting…

How Salt Spray Testing Applies to Outdoor Garage Door Locks
Salt spray testing for garage door locks checks how a finished lock assembly responds to controlled salt fog. It can reveal weak plating, coating pores, exposed steel and vulnerable joints. It cannot convert test hours into an exact number of outdoor years. Buyers should define the method, samples and pass criteria before testing. What Happens…

Brass, Steel and Aluminum Padlocks: A Material Comparison for Buyers
This padlock material comparison has a simple answer. Choose brass for balanced corrosion resistance and a premium look. Choose protected or stainless steel when strength and abuse resistance matter. Choose aluminum when low weight and color coding are priorities. The shackle, cylinder and finish must still match the application. Padlock Material Comparison at a Glance…

How Padlock Shackle Diameter, Material and Clearance Affect Security
The shackle is the most visible part of a padlock and often the first part a buyer compares. A thicker shackle may look stronger, but diameter alone does not determine security. Material, heat treatment, exposed length, internal clearance, locking method, body construction, and the hardware being secured all matter. For wholesalers and OEM buyers, the…

Euro Profile, Rim and Oval Cylinders: A Buyer’s Comparison
Euro profile, rim, and oval cylinders require different door preparations, lock cases, and mounting methods. Confirm the profile, dimensions, cam or tailpiece, fixing method, operation, and security features before ordering samples. For OEM work, Euro, rim, and oval are interface families rather than fixed specifications. ANLI can configure or develop the cylinder length, cam or…

Custom Mold or Existing Lock Design: Which Option Costs Less?
An existing lock design normally has the lower upfront cost. Custom tooling can create value through better fit, fewer parts, lower assembly cost, or a protected product advantage. Compare development cost, unit cost, validation, lead time, commercial terms, change risk, tooling ownership, and expected product life before deciding. What Counts as an Existing Lock Design?…

Coin Locks for Shopping Carts, Lockers and Trolleys: Application Differences
Shopping carts, lockers, and transport trolleys require different coin-lock mechanisms. Specify whether the coin is returned or retained, how the unit releases, mounting geometry, staff override, operating frequency, and wrong-object rejection. Coin-lock mechanisms are application-specific rather than one fixed catalog product. ANLI can review the coin or token, user flow, handle or door interface, chain…

Center Garage Door Locks vs Side Locks: Application and Installation Differences
A center lock sits near the middle of the door and moves rods, cables, or latches toward both sides. A side lock sits near an edge and drives a bolt into a track, guide, frame, or keeper; some doors use one, while others use a pair. Choose between them by door movement, available locking points,…

Top 10 Door Lock Suppliers in the World
If you are looking for the best suppliers in the world, it helps to split them into two groups: Smart Locks and Mechanical Locks. Below is your guide to the top 10 door lock suppliers. Top 5 Smart Lock Suppliers Smart locks allow you to open doors without a traditional key. You can use a code, your fingerprint,…

How to Pick a Garage Door Lock: A Complete Buyer’s Guide
Garage doors are one of the most common entry points for break-ins. Yet many people spend more time choosing a TV than choosing a lock for their garage. The problem is, garage door locks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Pick the wrong type, and you end up with a lock that rusts, jams, or gets broken into. This…

Padlock Manufacturers in China: Why Anli Should Be Your Trusted Partner
The Chinese Lock Industry at a Glance When buyers search for padlock manufacturers in China, they’re often met with hundreds of options. And that can feel overwhelming. China produces over 70% of the world’s padlocks, with major manufacturing hubs spread across Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shandong provinces. Among them, Cixi, Zhejiang stands out as one of the country’s most…

Mortise Lock vs Cylinder Lock: Key Differences
If you are upgrading your home security or outfitting a new commercial building, you will likely face a common dilemma: mortise lock vs cylinder lock. This mortise lock confusion is completely normal! These two types of locks are the most common choices on the market, but they function very differently. We have put together this comparison…

Top 15 Cylinder Lock Manufacturers Globally
1. Medeco (United States) Company Profile: A premier American security lock brand owned by ASSA ABLOY. It dominates the high-security market in North America and is widely used in government and military facilities. Core Cylinder Product: Their key technology is the "rotating pin." A standard key only lifts pins, but a Medeco key must lift the pins…

Top 10 Refrigerator Lock Manufacturers in China
If you're sourcing refrigerator locks — whether for commercial coolers, medical fridges, or home appliances — China is the place to look. China is home to a large number of refrigerator lock suppliers, with over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers listed on Made-in-China.com alone. Most are concentrated in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces. Below are the…

What Is Rekeying a Lock? How to Rekey a Lock?
If you have just lost your keys and are worried about a potential break-in, your first thought might be that you need to change the locks entirely. However, completely replacing all your door hardware sounds like a time-consuming and labor-intensive project. Fortunately, there is a clever trick that saves both time and effort: rekeying a lock. In this article,…

What is a Cam Lock? Everything You Need to Know
Small, reliable, and surprisingly versatile — cam locks are one of the most widely used locking mechanisms in the world, yet most people know very little about them. This guide covers everything: what they are, how they work, the different types, and how to pick, install, and maintain the right one for your needs. What Are…
