DIN 4000-90 provides a structured property list for describing the geometry, interfaces, cutting function and ordering information of clamping holders and heads in a machine-readable way. The current edition (2018-12) replaces earlier versions from 1998, 2007 and 2011 and consolidates the basic shapes (BLD 1–21) in one table, introduces a block-structure concept for repeated elements such as inserts, and classifies every property as mandatory, conditional or optional for each basic shape.
The standard is closely linked to other DIN parts: DIN 4000-77 for the cutting bodies used with these holders, DIN 4000-95 for interface coding, DIN 4003-90 for 3D models based on the same properties, and ISO/TS 13399-60 for the mapping of connection-system and interface codes.
An informative annex already anticipates the next revision: basic shapes BLD 17–20 (holders with axial or radial insert units) are reinterpreted as adapters according to DIN 4000-89 in combination with cutting bodies from DIN 4000-77. In future editions these configurations are expected to be treated as adapter-plus-cutting-body assemblies rather than separate holder basic shapes.