Capitol Industries has developed a magnetic cam lock which is key-operated, can be installed into a standard double-D cutout and uses a standard square end extension on the plug to accept any shape of offset, hooked or straight locking cam. The difference between other cam locks and the cam lock by Capitol Industries is that there is no keyway and far less problems compared to locks with open keyways.
A group of magnets is located below the surface at the front of the cam lock. The key also contains a group of magnets. When the key is inserted into a cutout area in the face of the plug, magnetism from the key interacts with the magnets located in the cam lock. The plug cutout and key face are specifically shaped so they must match each other before the key can be fully inserted into the cutout.
Magnets in the cam lock are attached to circular discs. Each brass disc contains a notch. If the proper key is used, the brass discs are magnetically rotated until notches in the brass discs are aligned in an unlocked position and the key can be turned to operate the cam lock. Three magnets are installed in each cam lock. Various magnet positioning on the discs and magnetic pole positions both in the key and inside the cam lock combine to provide approximately 1500 different key codes.
