Lockformer History
1938
The Lockformer Company was founded.
1939
The Pittsburgh lock rollformer first sold and the 2-pass bar-cleat machine was being designed.
1940
The 24 and the 20 ga. Pittsburgh lock machines were introduced.
1942
The EZ Edger hand operated flanger is created.
1946
The 8000 Series double-plate Cleatformer was developed to form drive cleats in one pass.
1948
The Standing “S” Cleat rollformer was first sold to the market.
1952
Lockformer relocated to its new manufacturing facility on Cicero Avenue in Chicago. Hemming roll tooling was developed.
1955
The 16 ga. Pittsburgh lock machine is first introduced.
1958
The first Button Punch Snaplock machine is sold and Acme lock roll tooling was newly designed.
History Continued
1960
The Speednotch multi-head notcher was first sold.
1963
The Speednotch multi-head notcher was first sold.
1968
The Triplex Cleatformer created to produce 4 profiles in one machine with slitting attachment to cut “S” and drive cleats was added to the line-up of 8600 and 8900 Series Cleatformers.
1970
Lockformer opened its new manufacturing facility in Lisle, IL.
1974
The DS Connector machinefeaturing New England cleat roll tooling was introduced along with the 24S Bandsaw.
1982
The Transverse Duct Connector (TDC) and the first Vulcan 1200 Plasma Cutting System were unveiled at the Atlantic City ASHRAE Show.
1984
The TDC Notcher and the Roll-A-Duct spiral duct rollforming system was developed.
1985
The new Vulcan 2400 replaced the Vulcan 1200.
1989
The Vulcan 1800 was added to the Vulcan line-up.
History Continued
1993
The Vulcan PCM (now the 3100HD) was first sold to the precision HVAC metal fabrication market.
1999
The Vulcan 1000 was first introduced for high speed HVAC fitting cutting.
2000
The Vulcan 1600 Waterjet was first introduced for high speed insulation cutting.
2001
Lockformer acquired by Mestek, Inc.
2005
The TDC-V is introduced to the market.
2008
Fully adjustable TDC Duplex and Stand Alone from 19mm to 38mm. The Vulcan 1000E developed and offered European Community; CE Certified, zoned exhaust, B&R.
2011
Vulcan users top 3,500. The VulcanPlus with new control and “Flex-Ability” updates the Vulcan 1000D technology. Total Integration from BIM to Field using Trimble® TDL CAD (now replaced by DD 3D CAD®).
2017
Harper-type Vanemakers and Railmakers added to Lockformer product line for production of air turning vanes
Resources from Mestek Machinery
Backed by over 100 years of expertise and experience in metal forming and fabrication, Mestek Machinery has developed a number of valuable resources to help HVAC duct and fittings fabricators and other industry professionals learn more about the technologies and processes that drive your operations.
Video
E-Books and White Papers
Catalogs and Brochures
News and Updates
The Mestek Machinery Blog
Schedule a 1-on-1 Consultation with a Lockformer Technical Advisor
Since 1938, Lockformer has been the most recognized name in the sheet metal machinery industry — leading the world in the production of HVAC duct and fittings fabrication equipment solutions including insulation cutting equipment, metal cutting systems, rectangular, round, and oval ductwork roll forming equipment, and HVAC CAD to CAM software Looking to improve the productivity and profitability of your HVAC duct and fittings fabrication operation? Looking for a solution to address a particular application? Schedule a no obligation, 1-on-1 consultation with a Lockformer Technical Advisor today.
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Have questions about Lockformer machinery and equipment? Looking for help on a unique application? Need help with a budget estimate to determine overall equipment costs to evaluate if your project can be justified? Please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’d love to help.