R&D and innovation

R&D and Innovation at REAL®

At REAL®, research and innovation are at the heart of everything we do. With over five decades of expertise, our mission is to deliver high-performance security solutions that exceed customer expectations. Our relentless pursuit of better locking systems has earned us the long-term trust of clients across the globe, many of whom have partnered with us for decades.

Detained Disc Cylinder: Security Reimagined

Driven by our commitment to innovation, REAL introduced the patented ' Detained Disc Cylinder ' — widely known as a ' Disc Detainer Cylinder ' — offering a groundbreaking alternative to conventional tumbler cylinders."

✅ No springs: Eliminates issues with wear and sticking over time.
✅ Anti-picking design: Offers superior resistance to picking and forced entry.
✅ Durability: Ensures long-lasting performance even in high-frequency applications.

Unlike conventional lock mechanisms, the detained disc cylinder uses a set of rotating discs aligned by a key. When properly aligned, the sidebar drops into position, unlocking the cylinder. Once the key is removed, the discs automatically scramble, enhancing both security and user peace of mind.

This unique mechanism is typically reserved for high-security applications, and REAL has successfully made it accessible for both commercial and industrial use.

Keyless Combination Lock: Smart, Secure, Convenient

Building on customer feedback and real-world use cases, REAL introduced the Keyless Combination Lock—a robust mechanical solution that eliminates the need for physical keys.

🔒 Access via dial combination
🔒 Built-in detained disc cylinder for enhanced security
🔒 Compatible with Master Key System for convenient administration of multiple units

By integrating our signature disc-cylinder technology into a keyless format, we created a lock that is both secure and easy to manage, ideal for shared or public environments like lockers, cabinets, and storage units. This product has received widespread praise from customers worldwide.

Future-Focused Innovation: NFC, Bluetooth & Beyond

REAL continues to push boundaries by developing electronic-mechanical integration systems that bridge traditional reliability with modern technology. Our R&D team is actively exploring:

🔹 NFC-enabled locks
🔹 Bluetooth access control
🔹 Remote lock management systems

These efforts are backed by our award-winning engineering team and a growing portfolio of patents across Taiwan, the U.S., and other markets.

Why REAL?

With a name that stands for Reliable, Endurable, Accurate Locks, REAL combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. Our R&D department is not just a division —it’s the engine that drives our growth and the reason why REAL is trusted by clients in security, logistics, transportation, infrastructure, and more.

📩 Looking for a trusted development partner? Get in touch to discover what REAL can build for you.

Comparison: REAL Detained Disc Cylinder vs pin / Tumbler Cylinder

Mechanism	"REAL" detained disc cylinder	With pins and springs inside
Durability	No spring mechanism guarantees long-term usage without maintenance.	Spring inside the lock body loses its elasticity easily after a period of usage.
Combination of cylinders	REAL detained disc cylinder is based on a variation of degrees of circle edges, which allows for a hundred million key combinations.	With different lengths of pins, it only allows for a hundred thousand combinations.
Precision	With lower mechanical tolerance, it guarantees higher precision.	The pin mechanism limits it to have lower mechanical tolerance.
Key Safety	Use of patented key profiles can prohibit others from copying keys easily. Because only REAL has the mold to produce REAL blank keys.	Use of non-patented key profiles allows everybody to copy the same keys easily.
Cylinder Safety (1)	Installed with an anti-drilling disc installed can avoid drilling and picking caused by power tools.	Without an anti-drilling apparatus in front of the cylinder, it can be broken easily by power tools.
Cylinder Safety (2)	Installed with a free-turn detained disc that allows only the correct key to rotate the detained disc to the correct combinations. Without the patented correct key, any foreign bodies, such as a wrench or an iron needle, can only cause free turning.	Use of any kind of long object (like a screwdriver or pen tube) can possibly rotate the cylinder to adjust to the correct position.