Half-Engraving Craftsmanship Smart Lock: A Technological Innovation or Marketing Gimmick?
In the process of enhancing the appearance and mechanical performance of smart locks, CNC engraving technology has played a significant role. Combined with anodizing treatment, CNC engraving endows products with high durability and aesthetic appeal.
Generally, CNC engraving can be categorized into solid engraving and profile engraving based on the process. Solid engraving uses a whole piece of metal for processing, offering greater structural stability but also higher costs and technical barriers.
Outstanding products naturally gain popularity, and in recent years, the industry has seen a surge in demand for CNC-engraved locks. Both large and small lock enterprises have joined the trend, promoting the maturation of engraving techniques and reducing associated costs.
During the rapid development of CNC engraving technology, a new engraving method has emerged and is now widely applied in many smart lock products. This method involves using engraving technology on certain components or specific areas of the front and rear panels, while the remaining parts still rely on die-casting.
This distinctive engraving process is commonly referred to in the industry as "half engraving" or "partial engraving."
This trend is especially noticeable at offline exhibitions. At this year’s Door Expo and Wenzhou Lock Fair, attendees might have noticed that many locks showcased featured this technique. Based on current information, numerous manufacturers, including both well-known companies and smaller enterprises, have introduced products utilizing this process.
The research team engaged in various discussions with industry professionals regarding this phenomenon. Many practitioners believe that products incorporating only a small number of CNC-engraved components hardly align with the traditional concept of a CNC-engraved lock. The primary manufacturing process of half-engraved locks is essentially die-casting, offering no significant safety advantage compared to genuine CNC-engraved locks.
With no overwhelming advantage in aesthetics or structure, why are more manufacturers choosing half-engraved locks? The answer, unsurprisingly, lies in cost.
Industry insiders reveal that while cheap CNC-engraved parts cost over 100 yuan each, integrating two or three half-engraved components only adds about ten yuan to the cost. This modest investment noticeably enhances the product’s appearance. Moreover, in marketing materials, manufacturers often label such products as "engraved locks."
This significant cost difference is highly appealing. Coupled with the ability to associate with the popular CNC-engraved lock category, manufacturers benefit in multiple ways.
During recent exhibitions and conversations with several distributors, the author observed a growing consensus among both manufacturers and distributors that half-engraved locks are likely to capture an increasing market share.
Most distributors believe that under current economic pressures, smart lock prices continue to decline. Meanwhile, CNC-engraved locks have gained popularity over the past few years. To balance product quality and cost, manufacturers have introduced half-engraved products.
However, some distributors argue that half-engraved locks lack clear advantages. They claim that manufacturers exploit consumers' lack of understanding, while competitors feign ignorance to avoid addressing the issue.
The rise of half-engraved locks reflects the intense competition in the industry. Under the dual pressures of price wars and survival, many companies are striving to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Once considered a hallmark of premium quality, CNC engraving has "lowered its status," with prices dropping sharply and the emergence of hybrid products like half-engraved locks.
From a developmental perspective, unless the industry’s trend of extreme competition (or “involution”) changes, similar phenomena will persist. For instance, we’ve previously discussed so-called "customized locks," which were essentially cost-cutting measures.
In today’s industry landscape, it’s understandable for manufacturers to prioritize cost-efficiency. Over the past two years, many companies have scaled back spending on R&D and marketing to navigate the escalating competition. While this reaction is natural during challenging times, manufacturers must still prioritize product quality and service, practicing honest business practices to achieve sustainable growth.