An exploded view drawing is a diagram, picture, schematic or technical drawing of an

object, that shows the relationship or order of assembly of various parts.[1]

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 an equal distance away from their
original locations.
The exploded view drawing is used in parts catalogs, assembly and maintenance manuals
and other instructional material.
Usually, the projection of an exploded view is normally shown from above and slightly in
diagonal from the left or right side of the drawing. (See exploded view drawing of a gear
pump to the right). It is slightly from above and shown from the left side of the drawing in
diagonal.

An exploded view drawing is a type of drawing, that 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. This drawing can also help to
represent the disassembly of parts, where the parts on the outside normally get removed
first.[2]
Exploded diagrams are common in descriptive manuals showing parts placement, or parts
contained in an assembly or sub-assembly. Usually such diagrams have the part
identification number and a label indicating which part fills the particular position in the
diagram. Many spreadsheet applications can automatically create exploded diagrams, such
as exploded pie charts.
In patent drawings in an exploded views the separated parts should be embraced by a
bracket, to show the relationship or order of assembly of various parts are permissible, see
image. When an exploded view is shown in a figure that is on the same sheet as another
figure, the exploded view should be placed in brackets.[1]
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

through the air above the architectural plan, almost like a cubist painting. The locations can
be shadowed or dotted in the siteplan of the elements.[3]

Exploded drawings are extremely useful when explaining a design /

idea. The drawing opposite is a design for an educational toy (for a
young child) has been drawn with all the parts disassembled.
It is important when drawing an exploded view that all the parts line up
with each other when disassembled. The vertical guidelines clearly
show how the various parts are in line with each other. If an exploded
drawing is constructed properly anyone looking at the drawing should
be able to see how the various parts go together to form the finished
design/object.
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Exploded views are useful because detail can be seen, parts are not
hidden behind other parts.

DIY furniture often arrives with instructions in the form of exploded

views. Without this style of drawing it would be very difficult to explain
how the parts go together forming the final piece of furniture. The
example below is taken from a set of exploded views showing how to
build a small piece of furniture.