Laufwerksaus

Laufwerksaus is a term used in German technical discourse referring to the mechanism that enables a Laufwerk (drive) to be extended from or retracted into a chassis. In standard nomenclature the term Laufwerksauszug is more common, but Laufwerksaus may appear in manuals and product descriptions as a shorthand. The concept is widely used in data storage systems, computing hardware, and industrial equipment to provide removable or serviceable drive media while preserving compact enclosure design.

A Laufwerksaus consists of a carrier or sled that holds the drive and is guided by telescoping rails or ball-bearing slides mounted to the chassis. The mechanism allows smooth forward and backward movement, and may include locking positions, latching mechanisms, dampers, or a spring-assisted return. Some configurations are manually operated, others are motorized or spring-loaded to support hot-swap or automated loading workflows. Materials are typically metal with polymer components to reduce friction.

Applications include desktop computer drive bays, server hot-swap enclosures, external drive docks, and industrial control equipment where drives or media must be accessed without removing the entire unit. The size and mounting pattern usually follow common form factors such as 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drive trays, with mounting holes and rails compatible across vendors to a degree.

Maintenance focuses on keeping rails clean and lightly lubricated, inspecting lock mechanisms, and ensuring that the extension force is appropriate for the drive weight to prevent derailment or damage.