Feed drive systems are used to position the machine tool components carrying the cutting tool and workpiece to the desired location. Hence, their positioning accuracy and speed determine the quality and productivity of machine tools. In this paper, technical trend of machine tools feed drive systems are analyzed by patent mapping. And this paper suggested future development direction of feed drive systems. The analysis is carried out by using problem solution map (PSM) for the applied patent during January 2000 and December 2009 in Korea, Japan, EU and U.S.A.
