electrical power to the semiautomatic key cutting machine and follows the directions shown in display window 7 he she uses keyboard 8 to enter the code appropriate for the key to be cut he she then inserts a suitable key blank 6 into vise 5 which firmly holds the blank the operator then pushes control switch 19 to the right momentarily and releases it the control electronics automatically causes motor 14 to move the vise 5 to the right until cutting motor 3 starts the existing semiautomatic key cutting machine sends through wiring 20 an electrical signal to the control electronics indicating the cutting motor is running the control electronics commands motor 14 to move vise 5 at the correct speed to the left so that key blank 6 can be cut by cutting wheel 4 when the key cutting operation is complete cutting motor 3 is turned off by the semiautomatic key cutting machine which also sends an electrical signal to the control electronics indicating the cutting motor has been stopped the control electronics then commands motor 14 to increase its speed and return vise 5 to its far left or u201c home u201d position in preparation for cutting another key another embodiment of the invention which allows operation of the invention without affecting the form of the existing semiautomatic key cutting machine is shown.