A tool-free fastening and assembly system, Lockdowel can be used for the construction of cabinets, casegoods, furniture, fixtures, closets and components such as drawer boxes. It creates an invisible joint that can withstand mechanical and vibratory stress without loosening.

How does it work? The patented Lockdowel system consists of three parts: a steel male connector pin that snaps into the female latch housing and steel spring guide pins which provide additional stability and rigidity in the assembled product. In fact, the company says, the fasteners have successfully reached pull strengths ranging from 120 to more than 200 pounds. No glue or clamps are

VIDEO How to Install Lockdowel Fasteners Manually  A video shows how the Lockdowel system works.

needed for this snap-together system, and the fasteners can be engineered for both assembly as well as disassembly, making them ideal for use in trade show booths and RTA furniture.

“Most of our customers want their goods to withstand the test of time and durability. That’s where Lockdowel shines,” says Stephen Macdonald, CEO/Director, Business Development for Lockdowel Corp.

Another advantage of the system is that it is pre-installed during the manufacturing process. This means finished goods can be flat-packed for warehousing and transportation, saving space, time and money. Lockdowel’s ease of use also helps reduce assembly labor up to 80 percent compared to standard methods, including a 25 percent savings per cabinet box, the company says.

The Lockdowel system was on display during the AWFS Fair, where the company also previewed its new single-piece fastening system, which requires only a CNC router to employ. Visitors to the Lockdowel booth were very enthusiastic about the new product and the company said it will finish engineering and production for availability this fall.

Lockdowel was also represented at some of the machinery booths at AWFS. Gannomat demonstrated two Lockdowel-capable machines, the Index Trend for CNC edge-boring and hardware insertion and the Express S1, capable of face-boring and dowel insertion. The fastening system is also optional on other Gannomat Index and Express machines.

SCM also displayed the Lockdowel/Omal Insert 1300 CNC boring and insertion machine, which has a capacity of up to 180 panels per hour. SCM’s REM Pilot vertical CNC machining center can also be outfitted for boring and inserting the Lockdowel female latch housing.

Lockdowel is also partnering with Biesse, and the technology is included on the machinery manufacturer’s Elix B point-to-point boring, glue and dowel inserting machine for the production of kitchen cabinetry, furniture, drawers and other small parts. The Lockdowel fastening technology is also available on the Biesse/Bre.Ma- Eko 902, a horizontal CNC machining center with the capability for boring and inserting the Lockdowel female latch housing.

In addition, Lockdowel is part of the Cabinet Vision hardware library and is included in the software company’s Ultimate Version 8 and 9 CAD programs. Lockdowel also offers Cabinet Vision users professional design assistance, including pre-defined construction methods and User Created Standards. The fastener also is being designed into other major CAD software packages, Lockdowel Corp. says. 

Founded in 2005 and based in Fremont, CA, Lockdowel Corp. gained recognition with its creation of the first “plug in” surfboard fin. Additional patent applications have since been filed for a variety of fastener systems, including the Lockdowel system used in the woodworking industry today.
The company has recently rebranded, including a new logo and revamped website. For information visit Lockdowel.com.