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Exploded Cutaways

Exploded or Assembly illustration:
An exploded view (or assembly drawing) is a diagram, illustration of an object, that shows the relationship or order of assembly of various component parts, sometimes shown in combination with sectioned cutaways (see opposite).

It shows the components of an object slightly separated by distance, or suspended in surrounding space in the case of a three-dimensional exploded diagram. An object is represented as if there had been a small controlled explosion emanating from the middle of the object, causing the object's parts to be separated a distance away from their original locations.

Overview

An exploded view illustration shows the intended assembly of mechanical or other parts. It shows all parts of the assembly and how they fit together. In mechanical systems usually the component closest to the center are assembled first, or is the main part in which the other parts get assembled.

Exploded views can also be used in architectural drawing, for example in the presentation of landscape design. An exploded view can create an image in which the elements are flying in space above the architectural plan.

History
The exploded and cutaway views were artistic and graphic inventions of the Renaissance that also clarified pictorial representation. Exploded view were often employed by artists such as Francesco di Giorgio, Marino Taccola and Leonardo da Vinci.

One of the first historic examples of an exploded view was by Leonardo da Vinci in the design of a reciprocating motion machine. Leonardo would apply this method of presentation to other studies, including those on human anatomy.

The term "Exploded View Drawing" itself emerged at the end of the 1940’s, and is one of the first times defined in 1965 as "Three-dimensional (isometric) illustration that shows the mating relationships of parts, subassemblies, and higher assemblies.

Other illustration examples:

Please click on the thumbnail images to view page

Standard illustration

Sectioned Cutaway

Exploded Cutaway

Ghosted/Phantom Cutaway

Exploded illustration