How do you create an exploded view drawing of an assembly?

Short Answer:

An exploded view drawing shows all the parts of an assembly separated but in their correct relative positions. It helps to understand how the parts fit together and in what order they should be assembled. This type of drawing is very useful for manuals, presentations, and assembly instructions.

To create an exploded view, each part is moved outward from its original assembled position, along with arrows or lines to show movement direction. The drawing is usually made using isometric or 3D views to give a clear picture of the full assembly and part placement.

Detailed Explanation:

Creating an Exploded View Drawing of an Assembly

In mechanical engineering, when we design a machine or product with multiple parts, it’s not always easy to understand how everything fits together just by looking at a regular assembly drawing. That’s why we use an exploded view drawing—a visual tool that shows each part pulled away from its position but still aligned properly to its neighboring components.

This type of drawing is very helpful for assembly instructions, part identification, repair guides, and visual presentations. Let’s now understand the full process and rules for making a clear and useful exploded view drawing.

  1. Understand the Assembled Structure

Before making an exploded view, you must:

  • Carefully study the assembled product.
  • Know the sequence of assembly—which part goes where and in what order.
  • Identify main parts, sub-parts, and fasteners (like screws, bolts, washers).

A well-understood assembly is the foundation of a correct exploded drawing.

  1. Use an Isometric or 3D View

Exploded drawings are usually created in isometric or 3D projection because:

  • It gives a realistic look.
  • Viewers can easily see all parts in three dimensions.
  • It avoids overlapping lines and hidden parts.

Sometimes, sectional exploded views are used to show internal details as well.

  1. Separate the Parts Clearly

To create the exploded view:

  • Move each part away from its assembled location.
  • Keep the axis or alignment correct (do not rotate or flip parts).
  • The direction of movement should be along the main axis (X, Y, or Z).
  • Start from the center or base part, and move outward.

This way, the drawing clearly shows how the assembly is built layer by layer.

  1. Add Leader Lines or Arrows
  • Use dashed or thin lines to show the movement path of each part.
  • Arrows can be added to indicate direction of assembly.
  • These lines connect the part’s exploded position back to where it fits.

This helps the viewer know where each part belongs in the assembly.

  1. Add Balloons and Part Numbers
  • Use balloons (circular tags) to label each part with a unique item number.
  • These numbers must match the Bill of Materials (BOM).
  • This helps in identifying parts quickly.

For example, if the bolt is marked “4” in the drawing, the BOM will show “4 = M10 Hex Bolt.”

  1. Keep Proper Spacing
  • Don’t place parts too close or too far.
  • Maintain equal spacing where possible.
  • Avoid overlapping lines and make sure every part is clearly visible.

The goal is to make the drawing clean and easy to follow.

  1. Use CAD Software Tools

Modern CAD software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Creo, or Fusion 360 provide automatic tools to generate exploded views.

  • You can drag parts outward in 3D.
  • Assign motion paths.
  • Automatically create BOM tables and balloons.
  • Export the view for printing or presentation.

Manual drawings can also be done, but CAD makes the task much faster and more accurate.

  1. Final Touches and Details
  • Include a title block with drawing number, title, date, and scale.
  • Add assembly instructions or notes if needed.
  • Show part orientation clearly—some parts may need labels like “top” or “front”.

Once complete, review the drawing to ensure no parts are missing or misplaced.

Conclusion

An exploded view drawing is a powerful way to show how parts of an assembly fit together. To create it, each part is separated from the assembly in the correct direction while maintaining alignment. Using isometric views, movement lines, balloons, and proper spacing makes the drawing easy to read. Exploded views are commonly used in manuals, service guides, and design presentations to help users understand the product’s construction and assembly steps clearly.