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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
B23K

SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

Introduced: September 1968

Description

B23K covers processes and equipment for joining, modifying, and cutting materials through thermal and energy-based methods, including soldering, unsoldering, welding, cladding, and plating operations. The subclass encompasses both localized heat-cutting techniques (such as flame, plasma, or oxy-fuel cutting) and laser-beam processing for material removal or modification. Specific technologies include manual and automated welding systems, brazing operations, thermal spraying for surface treatment, and precision cutting applications across metal and related materials. This classification excludes general metal-working operations covered elsewhere and focuses specifically on processes that use heat or concentrated energy sources as the primary working mechanism.

Of 23 combined children, 19 exist in both systems.

2 codes are CPC-only extensions, 2 exist only in IPC.

Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

3 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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  • B23K 17/00 Use of the energy of nuclear particles in welding or related techniques IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
  • B23K 23/00 Alumino-thermic welding IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class B23,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) US 3,407
  2. FANUC JP 3,120
  3. DISCO ABRASIVE SYSTEM 2,777
  4. HAN'S LASER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP COMPANY 2,629
  5. ROBERT BOSCH DE 2,468
  6. FANUC 2,273
  7. DISCO CORPORATION JP 2,267
  8. GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 1,611
  9. CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,534
  10. ISCAR IL 1,499

Top Applicants (CPC)

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