Note(s) [2015.01]

• This class covers :
  • working of metallic materials;
  • working of non-metallic materials, provided that the methods applied are similar to those used in metal-working and not provided for elsewhere;
  • features, specific to machine tools, which relate to a requirement or problem of a nature which is not peculiar to a particular kind of machine tool, e.g. feeding work, which are covered by subclass B23Q, although the realisation of these features may differ according to the kind of machine tool concerned. The said subclass covers such features, in general, even if the feature or a specific function, in any particular case, is to some extent peculiar to, or is claimed only for, machine tools designed for one particular operation; only in exceptional cases are such features classified in the subclass for the machine tool concerned. Certain features of this general nature are, however, referred to subclasses relating to particular metal-working operations, especially B23B, in which case the subclasses in question are not restricted, in respect of those features, to the kind of machine tool with which they are primarily concerned.
• In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
  • "kind of operations" and similar expressions relate to such metal-working operations as boring, drilling, milling and grinding;
  • "kind of machine" means a machine designed for a particular kind of metal-working operation (e.g. a lathe);
  • "form of machine" means a machine of a particular kind adapted or arranged for a particular way of working or for particular work, e.g. face-plate lathe, tailstock lathe, turret lathe;
  • "different machines" covers different forms of machines for performing the same type of metal-working operation, e.g. vertical and horizontal boring machines.
• If details, components, or accessories have no essential feature specific to machine tools, the more general class, e.g. F16, takes precedence.

Note(s) [5]

• This subclass covers also electric circuits specially adapted for the purposes covered by the title of the subclass.
• In this subclass, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
  • "soldering" means uniting metals using solder and applying heat without melting either of the parts to be united.
• In groups B23K 1/00-B23K 31/00, it is desirable to add the indexing codes of groups B23K 101/00 or B23K 103/00.

Note(s) [2014.01]

• This main group covers :
  • laser working for making a weakened layer, with or without removing material;
  • laser shock processing;
  • apparatus for laser surface treatment;
  • laser ablation.
• This main group does not cover :
  • laser assisted deposition which is covered by subclass C23C;
  • laser sintering which is covered by group B22F 3/105 for metallic powder, by group B29C 67/04 for plastics, by group C03B 19/06 for glass or by group C04B 35/64 for ceramics;
  • laser assisted chemical etching which is covered by group C23F 1/00.