Sectioning

Introduction to Engineering Drawing

Sectioning
At the end of this presentation you will be able to
1. Define the purpose of sectioning
2. Identify which part of a component is to be removed to create a
sectional view.
3. Identify the location for a sectional view in first or third angle
projection.
4. Correctly cross-hatch an adjacent part.
5. Complete a given sectional view.
6. Complete a part section.
What is Sectioning in Engineering Drawing?
Under normal circumstances a component such as the one drawn below, when
shown as a multi-view orthogonal drawing, all internal details would be shown
with dashed Type D lines indicating that they were hidden from view. This
causes a bit of a problem as hidden outlines are not normally dimensioned.

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A drawing of this component showing concealed features using hidden

outlines is seen below.

To expose these internal features so they can be seen clearly, drawn and
detailed, using Type A lines, we use a Section Plane to take an imaginary
slice through the component to reveal those internal features. The part of
the component in front of the sectioning plane is removed and the
resulting view drawn in first or third angle projection is called a Sectional
View. Depending on where the section plane passes through the object, and
in which direction the arrows are pointing, the sectional view may be a
section front, top, bottom or end view.
The part of the view cut by the section plane is indicated by Type B lines
known as "hatching" or "cross-hatching" lines drawn at an angle between
the outlines to indicate that the component has been sectioned.

The graphic below shows a section plane passing through the longitudinal
centre line of our component. The location of the section plane is indicated

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by a Type F line and identified with an alphabetical character, in this case "A"
placed at the end of the directional arrow's tail. In cases where there is only
one sectional view on the drawing, the alphabetical label may be omitted.

The part of the component in front of the section plane is removed revealing
the internal detail of the component.

The sectional view, once drawn is then indicated by name "Section A-A" and
the parts of the component through which the section plane passes are

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indicated with "hatching" lines. All detail that was previously shown with
dashed Type D lines are indicated with Type A lines

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General Presentation and Methodology

Hatching lines are drawn with Type B lines, usually at an angle of 45 degrees
to the horizontal either sloping left or right, about 2 to 3 mm apart.

Where the shape of the component would bring the hatching lines parallel to
one or more of the sides, an alternate angle to 45 degrees may be used.

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Adjacent Parts
In a sectional view, adjacent parts are indicated by placing the hatching lines
at 90 degrees opposed. They can also be drawn slightly offset to each other.
Where more than two parts lie adjacent, they may be identified using a
different angle for the hatching lines.

Dimensions
As a general rule, dimensions on sectioned parts that are hatched is
discouraged, but if it is unavoidable, it may be achieved by interrupting the
hatching lines as shown below. Dimensions can appear outside the sectioned
area as normal.

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Sectioning Large Areas

Large areas can be shown as sectioned by placing hatching lines around the
edge of the area only.

Sectioning Thin Areas

Section plane may pass through thin objects such as gaskets, plastic sheet,
structural sections and sheet metal component. Often, these components
cannot be hatched in the normal way. In this case, these components can be
filled. This is also common practice for small hidden holes on structural
drawings. A gasket may be seen sectioned in this way below.

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If two or more thin areas lie adjacent, a small space can be left between
them.

Types of Sectional Views

Full Section
A Full Section is where the component has been completely cut in half to
reveal all the internal features.

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Half Section
This type of section is often used on components that are symmetrical
(identical either side) about a centre line. A quarter of the object is removed
resulting in a view that indicates half of the component as sectioned and the
other with the internal features drawn as hidden outlines.
Note that the section plane is indicated in the same way as a full section but
the sectional view is noted as a "Half Section on A-A".

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Offset Section
With a full section, only internal details along a single plane are revealed.
Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to show the internal detail of
components that do not lie in one plane. In this instance an Offset Section
Plane can be used. This is a section plane that changes direction. It is
indicated with a Type F line with heavy line indicators on each change of
direction.
Note on both the Isometric and Section A-A, even though the upper and lower
boss are not really adjacent parts, it was necessary to show them as such
especially on section A-A as showing full lines across sectioning running in the
same direction is not permitted. See rules later in the presentation.

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Interposed or Revolved Sections

These sectional views are used to indicate the shape of the cross section of a
bar, arm, spoke or similar elongated object. The diagram below shows a
Revolved Section on the rim of the of the cast wheel and an Interposed Section
on the spoke. The outlines of the rim may be broken adjacent to the sectional
view in the same way that is shown on the spoke for more clarity.

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Removed Sections
Similar to revolved sections but instead of being drawn in place, they are
removed and drawn to clarify the shape of the component. They may be
placed adjacent to the component or located elsewhere on the drawing. If
they are placed elsewhere, they must be suitable identified and referenced
to the view where they came from. For these sectional views, often they only
require a section plane with no alphabetical identification.

Part or Scrap Sections

Taken at suitable places to reveal hidden features. Boundary is drawn with
freehand Type C lines and cut surfaces are hatched as necessary.

Aligned Sections
This type of section is used to include necessary detail which is not located
along the section plane. The section line may be bent to pass through the

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necessary detail. The sectional view then shows the detail along the bent
cutting plane by rotating the feature as shown.

In the example below, the holes that are not cut by the cutting plane are
revolved to align with the cutting plane so as the internal detail can be
shown.

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Rules to remember when sectioning.

1. A section plane indicates the removal of the section of the component
in front of it or behind the head of the indicating directional arrows.

• In First Angle Projection, the sectioned view is place in front of the

section plane. See illustrations below.

• In Third Angle Projection, the sectioned view is placed on the side

behind the section plane.

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2. Only features which have been cut by the section plane are cross-
hatched. However, there are some exemptions.

• The centre of webs, shafts, bolts, set screws, studs, rivets, keys,
pins and similar parts are not cross-hatched.

3. A sectional view must not have any full lines drawn over the cross-
hatched areas. A full line represents a corner or edge which cannot exist
on a face that has been cut by a section plane. This is the reason that
the hatching on upper boss on the example of the Aligned Section shown
earlier was shown as an adjacent part.
4. No hidden detail is shown within a sectioned area or on a full section
view.
5. As a general rule, dimensions are not inserted within a cross-hatched
area. If this is unavoidable, dimensions should be placed in an area
where the hatching has been broken. Dimensioning outside the
hatched area is acceptable.

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