Designing - OCRExploded diagrams

Exploded diagrams show how a product can be assembled and how the separate parts fit together, with dotted lines showing where the parts slide into place. The diagrams also show components that would usually be hidden in a solid drawing.

They are a graphical communication technique that shows the relationship between parts by separating them, as if there has been a small ‘explosion’ along an axis. Exploded diagrams can take the place of detailed written instructions, meaning they can explain the construction of something without the barrier of different languages. They are widely used as instructions for self-assembly furniture to show how the parts should be assembled and in what order.

Isometric drawings are used to show a graphical representation of a 3D object. They are used by architects and engineers to communicate their ideas to the client and manufacturer, showing the product or design to scale.

Example

Below are two cubes drawn in isometric:

= 30 ÷ 60

= 0.5

This means the second cube has been drawn to half scale, also written as 1:2.