Schublast

Schublast is a term used in mechanical engineering and furniture design to describe the load transmitted to a drawer and its guiding mechanism during operation. Derived from German, Schub (thrust) and Last (load), it includes the weight of the drawer and its contents as well as dynamic forces generated when the drawer accelerates. Static schublast is the constant, stationary load; dynamic schublast covers forces from movement, including start/stop accelerations, deceleration, and impact on the frame and slides. Accurate assessment of schublast is essential for selecting appropriate slide hardware and for ensuring reliability, smooth operation, and safety.

In practice, schublast affects the choice of drawer slides (ball-bearing, roller, or guides), the thickness and stiffness of the cabinet or furniture sides, and the bottom material of the drawer. It also informs deflection limits, wear rates, and noise generation. Measurements are typically performed with force gauges and standardized cycle tests that simulate repeated opening and closing with defined payloads. Furniture and industrial hardware standards specify permissible schublast values and measurement procedures to guarantee performance over service life.

Designers strive to distribute load evenly across the drawer and its runners, minimize peak forces through controlled acceleration, and provide adequate margin for misloads. Applications range from kitchen and filing drawers to laboratory equipment and automotive storage. See also drawer slide, load testing, and coating wear.