Stödpunkten

Stödpunkten is a term used in mechanics and engineering to describe a point of contact where a body or structure rests on another surface or support. It serves as a constraint point that carries reaction forces, enabling static equilibrium.

In statics and mechanisms, stödpunkten can be the pivot or fulcrum of a lever, the supports at the ends of a beam, or contact points between moving parts and guides. The location and distribution of stödpunkter determine how loads are transmitted and how moments are balanced. To calculate reaction forces, engineers apply static-equilibrium equations with the stödpunkten treated as constraint points.

In construction, furniture, machinery, and vehicle design, stödpunkter refer to the feet, bases, bearings, or contact surfaces that support a component. Proper placement and capacity of these points are essential for stability, load distribution, and safety.

The term originates from Germanic languages and has equivalents in Swedish and Norwegian, where stödpunkten denotes the same concept of a support point. See also fulcrum, support, contact point, and bearing.