What patents does FIDLOCK own and in which countries? 

FIDLOCK owns diverse patents on an international base. The European patents are often nationalized in many other European countries, except for Germany. Additionally, FIDLOCK owns many patens in further countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and others. You can find the national and international patent numbers on the respective product pages of our website or the matching hangtags. On FIDLOCK products you will find the marking "FIDLOCK PATENTED".

What certifications do FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners have?

Our production partner fulfils the standards of DIN ISO 9001 and DIN ISO 14001. Additionally, our customers successfully use our fasteners on products, meeting the standards of many certificates. The required testing was executed by our customers. Most industry standards regard the final and complete product. This is why certification is done by our customers.

Are the buckles produced in Germany?

No. Our magnetic fasteners are engineered in Germany but produced in China for different reasons, such as keeping the transport route shorter.

Are FIDLOCK buckles sustainable/recyclable? 

Our products can't be recycled. However, the longevity of our magnetic fasteners assures that they will last at least as long as the customer wants to use the product (e.g. a school bag). Additionally, we constantly review new sustainable production possibilities.  

How does FIDLOCK handle confidentiality?

Confidentiality is extremely important to us. Therefore, we work with an NDA solution: NDAs are designed to protect important information, such as unpublished designs of customers, CAD files or licenses, project ideas for our customers, etc. In the event data is exchanged, e.g. in the case of a project for a customized solution, NDAs are used and bind us and our partners to confidentiality. In some cases, where only FIDLOCK shares confidential information, a one-sided NDA can also be used. This way we can make sure that you can trust us with your information and in return, we know that our intellectual property is in good hands.

Can I upgrade my helmet with a FIDLOCK helmet buckle?

No. Your helmet is a safety item and should not be modified. Helmet manufacturers and brands design their products to keep you safe. Helmets are tested and certified as an entire product. The buckle is a component and part of this entire product. Changing just the buckle alters the helmet resulting in a loss of certification. We therefore sell the buckle only to helmet brands, helmet manufacturing companies and factories.

Can the magnetic fasteners be offered in other colours besides standard black?

Generally, all Pantone colours are possible. These must be mixed at the customer's request. Sample fees will be charged for this. In addition, there is the possibility to select colours from our colour program.  
Exception: Some HOOKs and certain helmet fasteners can only be offered in black due to the material composition. 

What Pantone guide does FIDLOCK use?

We use the Pantone guide for coated colours for our standard options of the FIDLOCk colour program. Possibilities for other colour variations can be requested. (Status 2022) 

What does a customized solution cost? 

We use the Pantone guide for coated colours for our standard options of the FIDLOCk colour program. Possibilities for other colour variations can be requested.

How long do the magnets in FIDLOCK fasteners last?

As long as the magnetic field is not interfered with, the magnets have an infinite life span. For our fasteners, we use neodymium magnets with high coercive field strength, making them highly resistant to demagnetization through other magnetic forces. However, the magnetic attraction can be diminished through exterior influences such as temperatures of 40 degrees Celcius. Since our magnets are covered by plastics with higher heat resistance, our fasteners can be exposed to higher temperatures for very short periods, when the temperature of the magnet doesn't exceed 40 °C.

Are neodymium magnets poisonous?

Many elements are toxic in their pure form, but when combined with certain substances they become harmless. The neodymium in our magnets forms a compound with iron and boron, among others. In addition, all magnets are provided with a zinc layer and enclosed with an epoxy layer.
On the one hand, this protects the magnets from corrosion, and on the other hand, it prevents the magnets from coming loose.

Do the magnets in the fasteners "radiate" and harm my body?

"No. A static magnetic field does not transport energy and does not affect your body. (In contrary to electromagnetic waves, known from microwaves, which are a moving magnetic field and can transport a lot of energy.)"

Can a person with a defibrillator or pacemaker use a magnetic fastener?

Treating doctors of patients with pacemakers or defibrillators usually inform them about the effects magnetic fields can have on such devices, and that minimum distances are required to many objects. Therefore, we advise against the use of magnetic fasteners by carriers of corresponding devices.

Are FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners heatproof?

The magnets used in most of our products can withstand temperatures up to 40 °C. The exact temperature at which the magnets are permanently weakened depends on the magnet used and varies for each product. Our fasteners encase the magnets. In some cases, this allows exposure to higher temperatures for very short periods without permanently weakening them. If the closures are to be exposed to increased temperatures, installation of special magnets is possible upon request, which can also withstand increased temperatures without damage.

Are the helmet fasteners fire-resistant/fire-retardant or does FIDLOCK offer fire-resistant alternatives?

On request, it is possible to check which models are suitable for this purpose. However, it should be noted that fire-retardant additives reduce the strength of the closures. 
In addition, we need the information on which flame test must be passed. Despite that, we cannot guarantee that every fastener with fire retardant material will provide adequate flame protection. This is due to the design and wall thicknesses of the fastener surfaces.

Can FIDLOCK offer fasteners with high-temperature magnets?

"On request, we can insert special magnets into the fasteners that can withstand temperatures up to 160°C. However, due to the fitting size, these special magnets cannot be used in all closures, and the price of the closures is approx. 0.90 EUR higher than our standard fasteners.

Among the closures where these special magnets cannot be used are:
- 05451
- 05453

In which other fasteners the special magnets cannot be used must be checked on request. Please contact your respective sales representative for this purpose"
 

Are the high-temperature magnets suitable for use in workwear or industrial laundry?

Yes, because they are special magnets that are also used in electric motors.

Can our magnetic fasteners withstand freezing temperatures of around -25 °C?

Our magnetic fasteners can withstand sub-zero temperatures. However, at around -25 °C, the breaking load of the plastic that encases the magnets decreases. If the fastener is intended for use in such extreme environmental conditions, we recommend that the customer tests the closure before starting series production.

Are FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners resistant against UV light and salt water?

"We use zinc, nickel or epoxy coated magnets and metallic components for our fasteners, offering a certain degree of protection against corrosion. We also use stainless steel where possible. This protection must withstand a 48 h saltwater spraying test. However, natural conditions for certain products, e. g. water sports products, can't be simulated by the test. Saltwater is particularly aggressive and can lead to corrosion in the continuous use of a fastening component. 
Since the black colour of our fasteners partially absorbs UV-light, it usually doesn't affect them under normal circumstances. However, extreme conditions can lead to changes in colour or brittleness. This also includes fasteners with other colours of our in-house colour program which we enforce with UV-powder.
However, we can not guarantee UV-resistance for other individual colours. "

What materials are used for FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners?

"The main components of our fasteners are usually made from different plastics:

•    PA6
•    PA6GFCF30
•    PA6GFCF40
•    PA66GF15
•    PA66GF30
•    PA66GF40
•    ABS
•    TPU (685A)

You can find further used materials in the product details of each fastener. "

Can the FIDLOCK fasteners be supplemented with additives? E.g., infrared-resistant additives?

In principle, it is possible to supplement our closures with additives. However, the feasibility must be checked in each case, as it depends on the parameters of the additive. 

Do I need special tools to mount a FIDLOCK fastener?

Many of our fasteners can be mounted without special tools, by e.g. sewing. For other fasteners, mounting tools for production are available. Please check our TOOLS catalogue for detailed information or contact our sales team at info@fidlock.com.
 

Are the buckles including type "sewable" also glueable and weldable?

Basically, both processes are possible. The possible welding methods include, for example, ultrasonic welding and contact welding. 
However, which welding and bonding methods are possible in individual cases depends on the respective materials, i.e. for example the V-BUCKLE material and the material to which the closure is to be attached. The materials must be matched to each other.

What should be considered when sewing FIDLOCK fasteners?

We recommend using a leather needle with a stitch width of 2-3 mm and a sewing machine zipper foot ("Zipper Presser Foot") for sewing FIDLOCK fasteners. To facilitate sewing, we recommend placing the sewable item in warm water for one to two hours. This will soften the plastic.

Are FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners washable? 

Washing our catalogue products in household washing machines is possible up to max. 40 degrees. Neither the mechanical function nor the magnetic force is affected.
Drying in household dryers and industrial dryers are excluded.

What patents does FIDLOCK own and in which countries? 

FIDLOCK owns diverse patents on an international base. The European patents are often nationalized in many other European countries, except for Germany. Additionally, FIDLOCK owns many patens in further countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and others. You can find the national and international patent numbers on the respective product pages of our website or the matching hangtags. On FIDLOCK products you will find the marking "FIDLOCK PATENTED".

Why does my buckle suddenly have flash rust stains? Do I have to dispose of it ?

Our buckles are sealed. However, it cannot be prevented that metal particles from the environment are attracted to the magnet and settle on the surface. Anyhow, this does not represent a functional impairment of the purchased buckle, but can simply be wiped off with a standard cloth.

Where can I find additional information about the Minimum Order Quantity and delivery? 

Please view the following chart for information about our Minimum Order Quantity and delivery:

Sampling costs of approval samples
Colour printed sample → $150 per sample order (5 pieces)
Coloured articles → $150 per sample order (5 pieces)

MOQs

MOQ standard articles → 100 pieces per article
MOQ printed articles → 1.000 pieces per article
MOQ coloured articles → 5.000 pieces for all colours except for white, 10.000 pieces for white
Metal articles → MOQ on request

Terms of payment → cash in advance
Terms of delivery → FCA, warehouse Hong Kong (bulk orders) / FCA, warehouse Hannover (small orders/sample orders)

Lead time → Standard catalogue articles 4-6 weeks, customized articles 6-8 weeks

You can find detailed information in our terms and conditions on our website.

Can I pay with credit card or PayPal?

Paying with credit card is not possible. PayPal payments can only be made from countries apart from Germany and for amounts up to 100 €/$.

Are there restrictions for the shipping of magnets?

Yes, the IATA 902 requires that the compass of a plane is not affected. We aren't aware of problems occurring for products featuring a magnetic fastener, such as bags. To fulfil the IATA 902 requirements, we shield the boxes with metal plates when FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners are shipped by air.