HANNOVER, GERMANY - The first Lockdowel-OMAL 1300 (a CNC horizontal bore & insertion machine) is fully operational, reports Stephen Macdonald, CEO of Lockdowel. It will be seen at LIGNA 2015, then make its way through two more showings, including AWFS Fair 2015.

 "This machine provides customers maximum flexibility when designing and manufacturing with Lockdowel," Macdonald says.

The patented Lockdowel system consists of a male connector pin that snaps into the female latch housing. Spring guide pins provide additional stability and rigidity, allowing you to design products that can only be put together one way, redcing mistakes, and product returns.

"Most of our customers want their goods to withstand the test of time and durability. That's where Lockdowel shines," says Macdonald. The invisible joint doesn't loosen over time, regardless of use, vibration or other environmental stress, adding appealk for manufacturers of cabinetry, casegoods and RTA furniture.

 The Lockdowel System can be adjusted to provide a wide selection of fastening options depending on the intended life of the installation or product. Lockdowel fasteners can be engineered for easy installation and dismantling - for example, use in trade show booths.

While RTA furniture manufacturers have begun adopting the Lockdowel 10x6 mm fastener system (male pin, female latch housing and 8mm metal spring pin).

"But cabinetmakers that have mastered and designed their manufacturing lines to support wood dowel construction are less apt to move to the entire Lockdowel fastener system," Macdonald says.

So some are choosing to use the Lockdowel fastener as an internal "clamping devise" with a wood dowel and glue. This "clamp and wood dowel" use allows cabinet manufacturers to "clamp" the cabinet in their existing case clamp machine, but the moment the case clamp is completely closed it then opens, transferring the clamping retention to Lockdowel internal clamp.

"This process speeds manufacturing throughput through of the case clamp at up to 1 cabinet every 2 minutes, or possibly 30 cabinets per minute," Macdonald says, a dramatic increase from existing rates of 1 cabinet every 5 to 14 minutes in the current case clamp.

The Lockdowel machine will debut at LIGNA this month, then fly to Carson, CA for SCM Group's new West Coast show room opening June 3-4. Then the same machine will be at AWFS 2015 in July 22-25. Other Lockdowel-OMAL 1300 machines have been sold, but have yet to be installed at the new owners sites. The very first installation will happen in July.