What is the purpose of dashed hidden lines in technical drawings?

Dashed hidden lines are specifically utilized in technical drawings to represent parts of an object that are not directly visible from the current viewpoint or the plane of the drawing. This allows the viewer to understand the complete structure of the object by indicating features that lie behind or within another part of the object.

For example, if you're looking at a mechanical component, there may be internal features that are essential for understanding how the part functions, even though they cannot be seen from the exterior. By using dashed lines, the drawing provides clarity and context, enabling engineers, architects, and fabricators to visualize hidden elements and relationships within the object, which are crucial for accurate interpretation and manufacturing.