exposedpart

Exposedpart is a term used in design and engineering to describe the outward-facing portion of a product or assembly—the part that is visible, accessible, or in contact with users or the environment. In practice, exposedpart encompasses surfaces, panels, features, and components that are intended to be seen or touched, and it contrasts with concealed parts that reside inside housings or under covers.

Applications of the exposedpart concept include product design, where identifying the exposedpart informs material selection, surface finishing, color, texture, and tolerancing to ensure aesthetics and durability. In ergonomic and safety contexts, the surfaces of exposed parts influence edge deburring, grip surfaces, and user interface placement. In manufacturing and documentation, a clear designation of exposedpart helps with assembly instructions and maintenance planning.

In CAD and PLM systems, an exposedpart entity may be used in data models to represent the portion of a design visible to end users or external interfaces; it can drive rendering, visualization, documentation, or access control. The term is not universally standardized and may be expressed as "visible part" or "external component" in some datasets.

Examples of exposedpart items include smartphone screens and bezels, door panels on consumer appliances, and exterior body panels on vehicles. Understanding which components are exposedparts supports decisions about texture, coating, protection, and user interaction, contributing to both usability and appearance. See also exposed surface, visible surface, external component, enclosure, and finishing.