Введение
A 6068 label can be the right clue and still lead to the wrong replacement. In most smart-lock and door-hardware listings, 6068 smart lock mortise normally points to a 60 mm backset and a 68 mm center distance between the handle spindle and cylinder. It does not, by itself, tell you the faceplate size, lock-case depth, latch configuration, fixing-hole pattern, door thickness, or smart-lock interface.
That distinction matters when you are replacing an existing mortise body, choosing a smart-lock panel, or preparing an OEM specification. One product manual may show a 24×240 mm body, while another 6068 product may use a 22 mm or 30 mm faceplate, a different body length, a hook bolt, or a different connection arrangement. Those products may share the 60/68 reference without being direct replacements.
This guide explains how to read the code, which dimensions still need approval, and how to send a supplier enough information to recommend the right body and smart-lock hardware.
Основные выводы
6068commonly means 60 mm backset + 68 mm center distance, measured in millimeters.- The code is a naming shortcut, not a complete mortise specification.
- Faceplate width and length, case depth, lock function, fixing holes, cylinder, spindle, strike, handing, and door thickness can still prevent a fit.
- A smart lock is an electronic panel and control system; the mortise body remains the mechanical interface inside the door.
- Treat dimensions such as 22×240, 24×240, 30×240, 30×388, or 40×388 as product-specific examples unless the supplier’s drawing confirms them.
- For a reliable recommendation, send a photo, measured dimensions, door details, desired functions, and the existing strike or door-frame preparation.
What Does 6068 Mean on a Smart Lock Mortise?
The usual reading is simple:
| Code part | Common meaning | What to measure |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Backset | Door edge or faceplate to the centerline of the spindle/follower, according to the drawing convention |
| 68 | Center distance, pitch, or cylinder spacing | Centerline of the handle spindle to centerline of the cylinder or key opening |
The “60” is usually the backset
Backset is the horizontal distance from the door edge or the faceplate reference line to the center of the handle spindle. It controls where the handle sits relative to the door edge. A 60 mm backset is common in many security-door and smart-lock applications, but it is not the only backset used in door hardware.
The exact measurement convention should follow the manufacturer’s drawing. Some drawings dimension from the faceplate edge, while a field check may begin at the door edge. If the faceplate is recessed or has an unusual profile, record both the physical door-edge reference and the drawing reference rather than relying on the four-digit label.
The “68” is usually the center distance
The second pair normally identifies the vertical distance from the spindle center to the cylinder center. It may be called center distance, PZ, pitch, or cylinder spacing depending on the market and drawing. It is not the door thickness and it is not the total length of the lock body.
For a replacement body, the 68 mm relationship must line up with the handle, cylinder, and the openings in the smart-lock escutcheon. A body can have the expected 68 mm spacing and still fail if its cylinder format, spindle geometry, or panel fixing pattern is different.
What the code leaves out
“6068” normally does not define:
- faceplate width, length, corner radius, or finish;
- lock-case height, depth, or body width;
- latch-only, deadbolt, multi-point, or hook-bolt function;
- latch projection, deadbolt travel, or bolt arrangement;
- cylinder profile, cylinder length, or emergency override;
- spindle shape, follower size, or handle rotation requirements;
- screw-hole locations and fixing-hole span;
- strike-plate geometry and door-frame preparation;
- door thickness, edge distance, panel clearance, or cable route;
- handing, reversible latch behavior, or lift-to-lock operation;
- motor, sensor, clutch, wiring, or electronic-panel compatibility.
Why “6068” Does Not Guarantee Compatibility
The most common ordering mistake is treating the code as a complete part number. A supplier can describe several different lock bodies as 6068 while changing the dimensions around the two centerlines. Current product manuals show examples including 22×240, 24×240, 30×240, 30×388, and 40×388 mm faceplate/body combinations. Those examples demonstrate variation; they should not be copied as a universal specification.
An actual replacement must fit the door pocket and also connect to the hardware that the user touches. Think of compatibility as a chain. If one link fails, the complete smart-lock installation may not work.
| Compatibility layer | Questions to approve | Typical failure if skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Mortise identity | Is the backset 60 mm and center distance 68 mm on the supplier drawing? | Handle or cylinder centers do not align |
| Faceplate and case | Are width, length, corner radius, body depth, and screw holes the same? | Body will not enter the pocket or cannot be fixed |
| Mechanical function | Is it latch-only, deadbolt, hook, or lift-to-lock? Is the follower compatible? | Handle movement does not retract the correct bolt |
| Door and frame | Do door thickness, edge preparation, strike, and clearances match? | Door binds, bolts miss the strike, or panels foul the frame |
| Smart interface | Do the panels, spindle, cylinder, motor, sensors, cables, and fixing posts match? | Electronics power up but cannot operate the mortise |
Faceplate size and lock-case depth
The faceplate is the visible metal strip on the door edge. Its width and length determine whether the replacement covers the existing cutout and whether its screw holes can be reused. The lock-case depth determines whether the body reaches the required pocket without hitting the opposite side of the door.
Even when the front faceplate looks close, a deeper case, different rear projection, or another cable channel can make the body unsuitable. Request the complete dimension drawing, not only a listing title that says “6068.”
Bolt and latch function
A 6068 body may contain a simple latch, a deadbolt, multiple locking points, or a hook arrangement. The smart-lock panel must be designed to drive or release that function. A panel intended for a standard latch may not provide the travel, torque, clutch, or sensing needed for a hook or lift-to-lock mechanism.
Ask how the door locks: by key rotation, handle lift, motor-driven spindle, thumbturn, or a combination. Also confirm whether the latch is reversible and whether the lock body is supplied with a strike plate that matches the door frame.
Cylinder, spindle, and fixing interfaces
The cylinder center is only one part of the cylinder interface. Confirm the cylinder profile, cylinder length, retaining screw position, key override requirement, and clearance behind the external panel. For the handle, confirm the spindle section, length, follower geometry, and whether the smart lock uses a split spindle or clutch.
The panels also need their own approval. Check through-bolts, mounting posts, cable passages, battery clearance, interior thumbturn clearance, and the position of the emergency power or reset port. These details are often absent from a short 6068 listing.
The Five Checks Before Ordering a 6068 Mortise
Use this sequence when evaluating a replacement or requesting a supplier recommendation.
1. Confirm the two centerline dimensions
Measure the backset and center distance from the existing body or a clear drawing. Record the units and the reference points. Do not infer the second number from the door thickness or the distance to the door frame.
2. Record the complete body and faceplate profile
Measure faceplate width and length, corner shape, lock-case height and depth, rear projections, and the distance between fixing holes. Photograph the door-edge pocket with the old body removed if possible. Mark which dimensions are measured and which are taken from an existing drawing.
3. Identify the mechanical function
Document every moving element: latch bolt, deadbolt, hook bolt, auxiliary bolt, follower, cylinder cam, and any lift-to-lock linkage. Note whether the existing handle retracts the latch directly or must be lifted to engage additional bolts.
This is also the stage to identify the hand and latch orientation. A reversible latch may solve the tongue direction, but it does not automatically make the entire smart-lock panel or multi-point mechanism suitable for both handing options.
4. Check the door and frame
Measure the finished door thickness and inspect the edge preparation. Confirm the strike opening, bolt depth, frame reinforcement, and the clearance available for the interior panel, battery, and thumbturn. A mortise can fit the door pocket while the smart-lock housing still contacts the frame or glazing bead.
For a detailed field workflow, see how to measure a door for a smart lock, and use smart lock door thickness for the thickness-specific check.
5. Match the smart-lock interface
Decide whether the smart lock will retain the existing mortise or replace it. Then compare the panel drawing, spindle/cylinder interface, fixing points, cable path, battery location, and operating sequence with the body drawing.
Do not assume that a fingerprint, keypad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, or app feature says anything about mechanical compatibility. Those are access methods. The motor, clutch, spindle, and sensor arrangement still need to match the mortise.
6068 vs 7068, 6085, 5050, and 3585
Four-digit mortise labels are useful for narrowing a search, but similar-looking codes can change the fit. The first two digits often indicate a backset and the second two often indicate a center distance, yet naming practices vary by manufacturer and market. Always compare the drawing.
| Label | Commonly associated reference | Why it must not be assumed interchangeable |
|---|---|---|
| 6068 | 60 mm backset and 68 mm center distance | Faceplate, case, function, and panel interfaces can vary |
| 7068 | Often a 70 mm backset with a related center reference | The handle position changes relative to the door edge |
| 6085 | Often a 60 mm backset with an 85 mm center distance | Cylinder-to-handle spacing changes |
| 5050 | Often a 50 mm backset and 50 mm center distance | Commonly a different body format and door preparation |
| 3585 | A separate regional/product naming reference | The code alone does not establish the same case or interface |
The practical rule is simple: a shared suffix or a similar product photo is not enough. Compare the actual centerlines, faceplate, case depth, function, fixing pattern, and smart-lock interface.
Can You Retrofit a Smart Lock to an Existing 6068 Mortise?
Sometimes. There are two engineering paths, and they have different approval risks.
Path A: retain the existing mortise
This approach keeps the lock body inside the door and replaces or adds the external and internal smart-lock panels. It can reduce door work when the existing body is in good condition and the new panels are designed for its spindle, cylinder, bolt travel, and fixing pattern.
- the mortise operates smoothly without lifting or excessive force;
- the spindle and follower can transmit the smart lock’s required movement;
- the cylinder or thumbturn arrangement allows mechanical override;
- the panel mounting points and cable route are available;
- the strike and door alignment are already reliable;
- the smart-lock firmware or calibration supports the mechanical travel.
The advantage is less change to the door pocket. The risk is that one old interface detail can limit the smart-lock options.
Path B: replace the mortise and smart-lock set together
This approach uses a matched mortise body, panels, cylinder or emergency override, and installation template. It is usually easier to control for a new project or a private-label product because the mechanical and electronic interfaces can be specified together.
The advantage is a cleaner approval package. The risk is a larger installation change: the faceplate, case, strike, fixing holes, door thickness, and frame preparation may all need checking. A sample installation should be completed before committing to production or a large replacement order.
Installation and Sample Approval Sequence
A reliable project sequence is more valuable than a confident label. Use the following handoff:
- Identify the existing hardware. Photograph the door edge, face, interior, cylinder, handle, strike, and any existing smart-lock electronics.
- Measure the body. Record backset, center distance, faceplate width and length, case depth, fixing-hole span, and key functional features.
- Define the door. Record door thickness, material, handing, frame condition, and available panel clearance.
- Define the use case. State whether the product is for a home, apartment, rental, hotel, office, or access-control project, and list required access methods.
- Compare drawings. Check the mortise drawing against the panel, cylinder, spindle, strike, and installation template.
- Approve a physical sample. Operate the door from both sides, test latch and deadbolt travel, confirm emergency override, and check battery/cable clearance.
- Freeze the specification. Keep the approved drawing, sample photos, interface notes, and revision number with the purchase or OEM file.
Use smart lock installation dimensions when interpreting the supplier drawing. If the project requires a customized body, trim, or documentation set, the OEM/ODM smart lock service page is the appropriate commercial transition.
What to Send a Supplier for a 6068 Recommendation
Send a compact evidence pack rather than only the words “need 6068.” Include:
| Артикул | Minimum useful information |
|---|---|
| Existing mortise | Clear front, side, and rear photos; brand/model if visible |
| Main dimensions | Backset, center distance, faceplate width/length, case depth, fixing-hole span |
| Door | Thickness, material, edge preparation, handing, frame/strike condition |
| Mechanical function | Latch, deadbolt, hook, lift-to-lock, reversible latch, cylinder and spindle type |
| Smart requirements | Fingerprint, PIN, card, app, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, key override, battery preference |
| Project needs | Replacement quantity, target market, sample timing, branding, packaging, documentation |
If a dimension is unknown, label it “to confirm.” That is safer than filling the gap with a typical number. A supplier can then mark the missing field on a drawing or request one additional measurement.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
Is every 6068 smart lock mortise 24×240 mm?
No. 24×240 mm is one common product combination, but current manuals also show 22×240, 30×240, 30×388, and 40×388 examples. Treat these as model-specific dimensions and verify the drawing for the exact body.
Does 6068 mean the door is 60 or 68 mm thick?
No. The code normally refers to backset and center distance. Door thickness is a separate measurement that determines whether the mortise, cylinders, mounting screws, cables, and smart-lock panels can be installed safely.
Does a 6068 mortise automatically make a lock smart?
No. The mortise body is the mechanical lock case. Smart functions come from the electronic panels, motor/clutch, sensors, controller, power system, and access methods. They must be designed to work together.
Can a 6068 mortise replace a 7068 or 6085 mortise?
Not by the label alone. Different codes may move the handle or cylinder center, change the case, or use another faceplate and strike. Compare the full drawing and door preparation before ordering.
Can I keep my existing handle, cylinder, or strike?
Possibly, but each part needs a separate check. Confirm profile, dimensions, fixing method, follower/spindle geometry, bolt alignment, and operating sequence. Keeping one component can be practical, but it should be an approved interface decision rather than an assumption.
Does every smart lock advertised as compatible with 6068 fit every 6068 body?
No. A smart-lock manual may define compatibility for one faceplate size, lock function, door-thickness range, cylinder, or panel layout. “6068 compatible” should be read together with the model’s complete installation drawing.
What if a supplier only writes “6068” on the quotation?
Ask for the dimension drawing and request the missing fields: faceplate width and length, case dimensions, backset, center distance, fixing holes, latch/deadbolt function, cylinder and spindle interface, door-thickness range, strike, handing, and smart-panel compatibility.
Is 6068 a universal worldwide standard?
It is safer to treat 6068 as a commonly used product and market designation, not a complete universal standard. Naming conventions and product variants can differ. The approved drawing and physical sample should control the project.
Заключение
The useful answer to “what is a 6068 smart lock mortise?” is usually a mortise with a 60 mm backset and 68 mm center distance. The useful buying answer is more complete: those two numbers are only the start of compatibility approval.
Before ordering, compare the faceplate and lock case, mechanical function, cylinder and spindle, fixing holes, door thickness, handing, strike, and smart-lock panel interface. If you are evaluating a replacement or OEM project, send the existing mortise photos and measurements for a model-level recommendation rather than relying on the 6068 label alone.