The article addresses the lack of a consistent methodology for marking metal-cutting machine tools, a problem exacerbated by the high proportion of obsolete equipment in service and the overwhelming prevalence of imported machines among newly commissioned units. The historical classification frameworks developed by L.N. Koskin and I.I. Artobolevsky are critically examined, with their respective strengths, limitations, and potential for synergistic integration identified. Building upon a methodological synthesis of these classical approaches and current GOST standards, a hierarchical structure for a unified machine tool designation system is proposed. This structure comprises six hierarchical levels: technological group, forming method, degree of specialization, accuracy class, control system type and primary technological parameter. The proposed marking format enables unambiguous identification and classification of machine tools regardless of age, country of origin, or control architecture. Furthermore, it provides a standardized foundation for the development of digital machine passports and their seamless integration into modern Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems.