lock barrel

A lock barrel, also called lock cylinder, is the inner component of a lock that contains the tumblers and accepts the key. It is typically a cylindrical or tubular part of the lock that contains the tumblers, pins, or other mechanisms that control the locking and unlocking of the device. When the correct key is inserted into the barrel, it aligns the tumblers, allowing the barrel to rotate freely and unlock the mechanism. Lock barrels are found in various types of locks, including door locks, padlocks, and many other locking devices.

Cylindrical Design: Barrel locks have a distinctive cylindrical shape, providing several advantages, including increased security and resistance to picking.
Security: Barrel locks are known for their high-security features and resistance to picking due to their unique design. The cylindrical shape and specialized keyway make them challenging to manipulate without the correct key.
Versatile Applications: Barrel locks are used in various applications such as door locks, bike locks, vending machines, gaming machines, providing security for a wide range of items and equipment.

Lock barrels come in various types, including:
 
Pin Tumbler Lock Cylinders: Commonly found in door locks, padlocks, and many other types of locks. They rely on pins that need to be lifted to the correct height for the lock to open. 
Wafer Lock Cylinders: Used in some automotive locks and low-security applications, wafer locks have flat, spring-loaded wafers that must be aligned to open the lock. 
Tubular Lock Cylinders: Commonly found in vending machines, bicycle locks, and certain types of coin-operated locks. They have pins arranged in a circular pattern.
Disc Detainer Lock Cylinders: Often used in high-security locks, especially in padlocks, disc detainer locks use rotating discs instead of pins or wafers.

A key advantage of a cylinder lock—also known as a profile cylinder or euro lock—is its replaceability. The cylinder can be removed and swapped without altering the existing boltwork hardware. In most cases, this only requires loosening a set screw and sliding the cylinder out.

Another benefit is versatility. Cylinders are available in multiple formats from different lock manufacturers, yet many can be keyed alike to work with the same type of key, offering greater convenience and flexibility.