TS EN ISO 128-3

TS EN ISO 128-3 is the part of the technical product documentation series that sets out the general principles for presenting views, sections and cuts. In technical drawing, these elements are used to communicate the outside shape of a part, its internal features, and the detail revealed by selected cutting planes in a clear and consistent way across disciplines.

How views, sections and cuts work in technical drawing

Views show the external geometry of an object from defined directions using orthographic projection. Sections reveal internal features by imagining the object cut by a plane and showing what lies on or behind that plane. Cuts focus on the representation associated with the cutting action itself or the resulting exposed area. Keeping these terms distinct helps reduce ambiguity in mechanical parts, electrical equipment, architectural elements and civil engineering drawings.

What this part covers in practice

The standard establishes general principles for the presentation of views and sections based on the orthographic projection methods defined in ISO 5456-2. It is intended for a broad range of technical drawings and notes the relationship with other specialized documents: shipbuilding drawings are addressed in ISO 128-15, while 3D models are covered in ISO 16792. Reproduction requirements, including microcopying, are also considered in line with ISO 6428.

• Use of views to communicate external form
• Use of sections to make internal features legible
• Distinction between sectioning and cutting representations
• Common drawing language across technical disciplines
• Consideration of reproduction and microcopying conditions