A removed section is a type of sectional view used to show the cross-sectional shape of a part, but unlike a revolved section, the cross section is drawn away from the main view, in a separate location on the drawing. This is done when the cross-sectional shape is important enough to warrant extra space for detail or labeling, or when including it in place would clutter the main view.
To create a removed section, an imaginary cutting plane is passed through the object—usually perpendicular to a key feature like a shaft or arm—and the shape revealed by that cut is projected out to a clear area of the drawing. The location and orientation of the cutting plane are indicated on the main view using labeled arrows (often marked with letters, like Section A–A). The removed section is then labeled accordingly, and the cross-sectional shape is typically filled with hatch lines to indicate solid material.
Removed sections are useful when the internal profile of a feature is critical to the design or when it includes detail that can’t be seen easily in standard orthographic views. They allow for clearer dimensions, notes, and inspection references, especially when multiple features require similar treatment throughout the part or assembly.