B23C MILLING
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Subclass:
- MILLING
Description
B23C covers machine tools and processes for milling operations, including the removal of material from workpieces using rotating cutters with multiple cutting edges. This subclass encompasses milling machines (horizontal, vertical, and universal types), their design, construction, and control systems, as well as milling techniques and tool holders. It includes both conventional and specialized milling applications such as gear cutting, form milling, and profile milling, but excludes grinding and other abrasive finishing processes covered elsewhere in B23.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass B23C recorded 50,049 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 3,150 in 2013 to 4,764 in 2023 (+51%), peaking at 6,658 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B23 are ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) (3,407 applications), FANUC (3,120 applications) and DISCO ABRASIVE SYSTEM (2,777 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
B23C ranks 6th of 9 subclasses with filings in B23, with 50,049 applications between 2013 and 2023, 3.1% of the class. Annual filings grew 51% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+174%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | Soldering or Unsoldering; Welding; Cladding or Plating by Soldering or Welding; Cutting by Applying Heat Locally, e.g. Flame Cutting; Working by Laser Beam | 516,255 | 31.8% |
| 2 | B23Q, Details, Components, or Accessories for Machine Tools, e.g. Arrangements for Copying or Controlling; 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 | Details, Components, or Accessories for Machine Tools, e.g. Arrangements for Copying or Controlling; 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 | 452,253 | 27.9% |
| 3 | B23P, Metal-Working Not Otherwise Provided for; Combined Operations; Universal Machine Tools | Metal-Working Not Otherwise Provided for; Combined Operations; Universal Machine Tools | 233,653 | 14.4% |
| 4 | B23B, Turning; Boring | Turning; Boring | 180,015 | 11.1% |
| 5 | B23D, Planing; Slotting; Shearing; Broaching; Sawing; Filing; Scraping; Like Operations for Working Metal by Removing Material, Not Otherwise Provided for | Planing; Slotting; Shearing; Broaching; Sawing; Filing; Scraping; Like Operations for Working Metal by Removing Material, Not Otherwise Provided for | 132,167 | 8.1% |
| 6 | B23C | Milling | 50,049 | 3.1% |
| 7 | B23H, Working of Metal by the Action of a High Concentration of Electric Current on a Workpiece Using an Electrode Which Takes the Place of a Tool; Such Working Combined With Other Forms of Working of Metal | Working of Metal by the Action of a High Concentration of Electric Current on a Workpiece Using an Electrode Which Takes the Place of a Tool; Such Working Combined With Other Forms of Working of Metal | 21,842 | 1.3% |
| 8 | B23G, Thread Cutting; Working of Screws, Bolt Heads or Nuts, in Conjunction Therewith | Thread Cutting; Working of Screws, Bolt Heads or Nuts, in Conjunction Therewith | 18,811 | 1.2% |
| 9 | B23F, Making Gears or Toothed Racks | Making Gears or Toothed Racks | 16,856 | 1.0% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
5 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B23C 1/00 Milling machines not designed for particular work or special operations
- B23C 3/00 Milling particular work; Special milling operations; Machines therefor
- B23C 5/00 Milling-cutters
- B23C 7/00 Milling devices able to be attached to a machine tool, whether or not replacing an operative portion of the machine tool
- B23C 9/00 Details or accessories so far as specially adapted to milling machines or cutters
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B23, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) US 3,407
- FANUC JP 3,120
- DISCO ABRASIVE SYSTEM 2,777
- HAN'S LASER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP COMPANY 2,629
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 2,468
- FANUC 2,273
- DISCO CORPORATION JP 2,267
- GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 1,611
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,534
- ISCAR IL 1,499