Point of Rocks, Md. – September 13, 2026 -- Canam Steel Corporation (CSC) has launched CrossBite, a proprietary pneumatic side lap connection tool designed to cut jobsite labor costs by requiring fewer total connection points than screws or welds on steel deck installations.
CSC pairs joists and decking with a new proprietary fastening tool
The launch gives CSC a single-source package combining joist fabrication, deck manufacturing, and now CrossBite, a tool built specifically for steel deck applications facing high shear and stiffness demands. Michael Martignetti, Chief Commercial Officer of CSC, said the tool lets the company offer deck solutions in areas with high lateral loads while allowing customers to economize designs by reducing connection counts or lightening deck gage.
Dual-direction crimp targets seismic and wind-load performance
CrossBite uses a dual-direction crimp with four symmetrical penetrations to lock deck panels in both directions, aiming for diaphragm performance under extreme seismic and lateral wind forces. The tool includes an integrated rolling wheel so crews can move along deck side laps without heavy lifting, a transport handle positioned at its center of gravity, anti-accidental-activation triggers, and hard stops to limit over-travel.
Field trial from AF Steel Fabricators reports easier handling
David Van Horn of AF Steel Fabricators, who tested the tool, said the comfort level stood out immediately and that rolling it along the seam made achieving a tight connection "virtually effortless."
Tool compatibility spans six standard deck profiles
CrossBite is engineered to operate across standard interlocking steel deck profiles including BI, BLI, NI32, NI32-XS, LF2, and LF3. CSC said technical details and code compliance reports, including ICC-ES documentation, will be released soon, with the company operating six manufacturing facilities serving customers in all 50 states.