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CPC Subclass Not Allocatable
B23P

METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)

Description

B23P encompasses metal-working operations and machine tools that do not fit within more specific IPC classifications (such as turning, drilling, or grinding). This subclass covers combined or multi-function metal-working processes performed on single machines, as well as universal machine tools capable of executing diverse operations on a workpiece. Typical technologies include turret lathes, transfer machines, and flexible manufacturing systems that integrate multiple metal-removal or metal-forming functions. The subclass excludes operations already classified under dedicated machine tool categories (B23B–B23H) but includes residual metal-working methods and apparatus requiring comprehensive or non-standard processing approaches.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B23P recorded 127,478 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 7,342 in 2013 to 12,446 in 2023 (+70%), peaking at 14,453 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B23 are ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) (3,642 applications), DISCO CORPORATION (3,316 applications) and FANUC (3,111 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

12 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B23P 5/00 Setting gems or the like on metal parts, e.g. diamonds on tools

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B23, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) US 3,642
  2. DISCO CORPORATION JP 3,316
  3. FANUC JP 3,111
  4. ROBERT BOSCH DE 2,711
  5. FANUC 2,163
  6. GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 2,113
  7. ISCAR IL 1,516
  8. SIEMENS DE 1,459
  9. LINCOLN GLOBAL US 1,433
  10. KOBE STEEL JP 1,423