B23Q DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
Description
B23Q covers machine tool components, accessories, and subsystems including spindles, chucks, workholding devices, tool changers, and copying/control mechanisms. It encompasses structural details and functional arrangements of machine tools characterized by their constructional features rather than their end-product function. This subclass also includes combinations or associations of multiple metal-working machines that are not designed to produce a specific final result, such as modular machine configurations or integrated machining systems.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass B23Q recorded 135,798 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 6,122 in 2013 to 12,605 in 2023 (+106%), peaking at 17,397 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
30 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- B23Q 1/00 Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members (B23Q37/00 takes precedence )
- B23Q 11/00 Accessories fitted to machine tools for keeping tools or parts of the machine in good working condition or for cooling work ; Safety devices specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools (in respect of boring or drilling machines B23B47/32 takes precedence; safety devices in general F16P)
- B23Q 13/00 Equipment for use with tools or cutters when not in operation, e.g. protectors for storage
- B23Q 15/00 Automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work
- B23Q 16/00 Equipment for precise positioning of tool or work into particular locations not otherwise provided for (automatic control or regulation of position of tool or work B23Q15/22; arrangements for indicating or measuring existing or desired position of tool or work B23Q17/22)
- B23Q 17/00 Arrangements for indicating or measuring on machine tools (for automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work B23Q15/00)
- B23Q 2210/00 Machine tools incorporating a specific component
- B23Q 2220/00 Machine tool components
- B23Q 2230/00 Special operations in a machine tool
- B23Q 2240/00 Machine tools specially suited for a specific kind of workpiece
- B23Q 23/00 Arrangements for compensating for irregularities or wear, e.g. of ways, of setting mechanisms (automatic control B23Q15/00)
- B23Q 27/00 Geometrical mechanisms for the production of work of particular shapes, not fully provided for in another subclass
- B23Q 2701/00 Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of the machine
- B23Q 2703/00 Work clamping
- B23Q 2705/00 Driving working spindles or feeding members carrying tools or work
- B23Q 2707/00 Automatic supply or removal of metal workpieces
- B23Q 2709/00 Portable machines or devices for the cylindrical bores of valve bodies
- B23Q 2716/00 Equipment for precise positioning of tool or work into particular locations
- B23Q 2717/00 Arrangements for indicating or measuring
- B23Q 2727/00 Lathes or mechanisms for making work with a non-circular section without a model or a shaped tool
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B23, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) US 3,642
- DISCO CORPORATION JP 3,316
- FANUC JP 3,111
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 2,711
- FANUC 2,163
- GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 2,113
- ISCAR IL 1,516
- SIEMENS DE 1,459
- LINCOLN GLOBAL US 1,433
- KOBE STEEL JP 1,423