Return to: U of M Home

Mechanical Engineering Home >Info: Useful Links > ProE > Exploded views

An exploded view is one in which parts are 'exploded' in such a manner as to clearly show how they should be assembled. Frequently, exploded views are used to show the relative positions of several parts on a shaft. Exploded views are a valuable tool for communicating complicated assembly instructions.

This picture shows a simple assembly. The white shaft has a green washer and a red bushing on it.

This picture shows the default exploded view provided by Pro/Engineer. As you can see, the red bushing has been moved, but is still on the shaft. The green washer has been moved off the shaft.

To create this view, the Explode item was selected from the View menu. This process is reversed by selecting the Un-Explode item in the View menu.

Now, suppose you wanted to change the exploded view so that the red bushing and green washer are both completely off the shaft. This is easily accomplished by following these steps:

1. Make sure that you are displaying an exploded view. Shaded views are easier to use than wireframes for this particular task.
2. Select the Modify menu item from the Assembly menu, then select the following items: Mod Expld and choose the appropriate option. This allows you to modify the Explode Dimensions (the dimensions that tell a part how far and in what direction to move when it is exploded) for the assembly.

   Make sure that you are changing the explode dimensions and not the assembly dimensions, or your assembly will not look right when you un-explode it.

3. Pick the part for which you want to change the explode dimensions. Try the green washer first. The following screen should appear:

   

   Click on the dimension you want to change. In this case, it is the 57.45. Type the new value of the dimension, and click Done/Return in the Assem Mod menu.
4. Regenerate the assembly by selecting Assembly:Regenerate:Automatic and take a look at the effect of the changes.
5. Repeat this process as often as necessary to achieve the desired result. This picture shows the final assembly after the washer and the bushing have been moved off the end of the shaft:

   >

Sometimes, you may wish to show an exploded view on a drawing. The following steps will allow you to do this:

#ADD VIEW
#GENERAL
#FULL VIEW
#NO XSEC
#EXPLODED

After making those selections select DONE at the bottom of the menu column.

You will then be prompted to select where you wish to place the center point of your exploded view. Move your mouse to the desired location of the center point within the space of your drawing. Then select that point with the left hand mouse button. Your exploded view in the default orientation should appear.