Cam Lock Connectors & Connecting Bolts: Structure & Function in Carcass Construction

May 24, 2026

A cam lock connector is a two-part furniture fitting consisting of a cylindrical cam housing and a matching connecting bolt. In carcass construction, it is used to join two wood-based panels securely and invisibly at a right angle. A half-turn of the cam draws the bolt head inward, tightly closing the joint.

What exactly is a cam lock connector?

This jointing system, often known in the trade under the generic term Minifix, is among the most essential elements in modern cabinet making. The mechanism functions like a hidden vice inside the panel, pulling the components firmly together.

The major technical benefit of these carcass connectors lies in repeatable assembly. Unlike glued wooden dowels or directly driven chipboard screws, cam lock connectors can be released without damaging the material. This makes them the standard solution for flat-pack furniture. The fitting remains invisible on external surfaces because drilling is carried out exclusively on the interior face of the carcass and into the end edges of the shelves.

Structure and Components

The system fundamentally consists of two precisely matched components:

The cam housing: A cylindrical component, mostly manufactured from die-cast zinc. It features an eccentric internal curved track. Plastic housings exist for light applications, but metal is preferred for load-bearing connections.
The connecting bolt: A metal pin with a specially shaped head and a thread at the opposite end. The head engages with the cam housing.

Dimensions, Standards and Typical Values

Precise drill holes are essential for accurate assembly. Dimensions are generally based on System 32, the international standard in furniture making.

Drilling for the cam housing: The standard diameter is 15 mm. The drilling depth depends on the panel thickness and usually ranges between 12 mm and 14 mm (for 16 mm or 19 mm thick chipboard).
Drilling for the bolt: Dependent on the thread type. For bolts with a direct wood thread, pilot drilling is usually done with 5 mm. When using threaded inserts or specialised thread types, connecting bolts 8mm are often used, requiring a corresponding 8 mm hole.
Drilling distance (bolt length): The drilling distance defines the spacing from the panel edge to the centre of the cam housing. For standard joints, connecting bolts 34mm are frequently utilised. For narrower constructions or thinner boards, installers rely on connecting bolts 24mm or connecting bolts 28mm.

Application & Assembly in Carcass Construction

Assembly demands absolute dimensional accuracy. If the drill holes deviate by even 1 mm, the joint will not close flush, or the cam will fail to tighten. Therefore, trade professionals and ambitious DIYers use a drilling jig to guarantee exact spacing and right-angled holes.

Screw in the bolt: The connecting bolt is screwed into the carcass side panel using a screwdriver (typically with a PZ or PH drive) until the collar sits flush against the wood.
Insert the housing: The cam housing is pressed into the 15 mm hole of the joining shelf. The open arrow on the housing must point towards the edge.
Join the panels: The shelf is pushed onto the protruding bolts.
Tighten: Using a cross-head or flat-blade screwdriver, the cam is turned roughly 180° clockwise. The head of the bolt slides along the internal curved track, pulling the panels firmly together.

If the furniture unit needs to be dismantled, the cam connector can be undone simply by turning the housing anti-clockwise back to its starting position.