B23P METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Subclass:
- METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
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
IPC subclass B23P recorded 233,653 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 11,207 in 2013 to 27,063 in 2023 (+141%), peaking at 27,887 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
B23P ranks 3rd of 9 subclasses with filings in B23, with 233,653 applications between 2013 and 2023, 14.4% of the class. Annual filings grew 141% 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 | 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 | 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
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B23P 11/00 Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques, not otherwise provided for
- B23P 13/00 Making metal objects by operations essentially involving machining but not covered by a single other subclass
- B23P 15/00 Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass
- B23P 17/00 Metal-working operations, not covered by a single other subclass or another group in this subclass
- B23P 19/00 Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P 21/00 Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with program control
- B23P 23/00 Machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass
- B23P 25/00 Auxiliary treatment of workpieces, before or during machining operations, to facilitate the action of the tool or the attainment of a desired final condition of the work, e.g. relief of internal stress
- B23P 5/00 Setting gems or the like on metal parts, e.g. diamonds on tools
- B23P 6/00 Restoring or reconditioning objects
- B23P 9/00 Treating or finishing surfaces mechanically, with or without calibrating, primarily to resist wear or impact, e.g. smoothing or roughening turbine blades or bearings; Features of such surfaces not otherwise provided for, their treatment being unspecified
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