Tightening the joint with new types of fasteners is on the radar for wood manufacturers. The new breed of hardware requiring unique machining of panel and solid wood is shaping up to be a top joinery story for IWF 2016 in August.

Exhibitors have been providing Woodworking Network with a steady stream of information about fastener hardware intended to simplify construction of millwork and casegoods, for applications ranging from windows and doors to ready-to-assemble flat pack furniture; or for onsite construction of prefabricated cabinets. 

OVVO, based in Ireland, will be showing its Connection System (in Booth 2400), a push fit fastener that joins two pieces of material without clamping or glue. Indicative of the importance of this type of fastener solution, the Connection System made the 2016 IWF Challengers semi-finalist list.

FastenLink is patent-pending fastening sytem that replaces wooden dowels needed for adjoining pieces in place. 

Joinlox will show its rapid assembly system, the Striplox product line in Booth 3145. The  Australian-based Joinlox www.joinlox.com, is distributed in the United States by several hardware distributors.

As a result of the success of the Striplox system and following its Visionary Award at AWFS, Striplox soon be warehoused within the continental U.S.  (Image by Bernie Bottens.)

The patented Striplox range fills a large gap in the joining and fastening market, leading to the opening of that new North American distribution center to further service international market demand in the US, Canada and Europe.  Striplox was named a 2016 IWF Challengers semi-finalist.

Lockdowel has been making a steady wave of announcements since it first launched its joinery system based on metal and plastic fasteners and custom drilling. 

Lockdowel offers two systems: the Lockdowel Component System (CS), three-piece component hardware, aimed at automated manufacturing; and its new EClips system, a single-piece fastener which it says is best suited for custom or RTA applications. The EClips line has recently expanded to include hinges and drawer slides featuring ChanneLock technology.

Lockdowel says automated CNC boring and insertion solutions for EClips will be available in 2016, and both fastening systems are available in the Cabinet Vision hardware library. The Lockdowel component system is installed during the manufacturing process. EClips can be installed in the plant or on-site. Both fasteners allow finished goods to be flat-packed and built on-site up to 80 percent faster than standard assembly methods. At IWF Lockdowel will show the results of its partnerships with Stiles, Cabinet Vision, Allmoxy, Advanced Machinery, Trim Art and Lewis Cabinets. It recently presented a Shop Automation seminar in Salt Lake with more than 100 customers attending.  

Lockdowel's newest introductions for IWF 2016 were also contenders for the Challengers Award. See them in Booth 4240. 

Rampa Tec (Booth 1153), is based in Toronto. It's Rampa insets and fasteners are made by one of Germany’s leading fastener manufacturers, Hans Bruegmann GMBH & Co. Based out of Southern Ontario, Canada RAMPA TEC. Inc. services and warehouses stock for the North American market and has been increasing activities in the Canadian and U.S. markets.

Stafast, exhibiting in Booth 1933, offers a complete line of cost effective fasteners which includes T-Nuts, lock nuts, propell nuts, threaded knock-in and ultrasonic inserts for wood and plastic, RTA assembly systems, clip systems, decorative bolts and screws, weld nuts, cap nuts, riv nuts, custom designed fasteners, T-Nut automation, etc.  

Invis, an invisible, detachable joinery system by Lamello, will be in Booth 4839. Starting with the innovative concept of using the magnetic field to turn a fastener, Invis now features solutions for various applications. Invis North America also develops a number of custom specific solutions for its clients, including aerospace, medical, stair and furniture markets. Invis magnet driven connection now has an even higher clamping force than before -250kg of clamping force per connector. The Mx2 System can powerfully join workpieces, yet it detaches in seconds, and the fasteners are completely invisble - no openings, no protective caps, no filler.  www.swissinvis.com