Method of producing test components by a hot wire cutter

A method for controlling an operation of a hot wire cutter for forming a component with a three dimensional profile out of a raw material block, wherein the hot wire cutter comprises a wire extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point, a first positioning system for moving the first attachment point within a first attachment plane being spanned by a first direction and a second direction, and a second positioning system for moving the second attachment point within a second attachment plane being spaced apart and being oriented parallel to the first attachment plane, the method comprising:

• defining a first cross-section of the three dimensional profile, wherein the first cross-section is oriented within a first surface plane of the raw material block;
• defining a second cross-section of the three dimensional profile, wherein the second cross-section is oriented within a second surface plane of the raw material block, wherein the first and the second surface planes are parallel to the first attachment plane and are spaced apart from each other along a third direction;
• selecting a first reference point on a perimeter of the first cross-section;
• selecting a second reference point on a perimeter of the second cross-section, wherein a connection line between the two reference points is indicative of a desired run of the wire through the raw material block;
• determining a first offset within the first surface plane between the first reference point and the first attachment point;
• determining a second offset within the second surface plane between the second reference point and the second attachment point;
• and
• controlling a movement of the first attachment point and the second attachment point depending on the determined first offset and the determined second offset.

A computer-readable medium on which there is stored a computer program for controlling the operation of a hot wire cutter, wherein the hot wire cutter comprises a wire extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point, a first positioning system for moving the first attachment point within a first attachment plane being spanned by a first direction and a second direction, and a second positioning system for moving the second attachment point within a second attachment plane being spaced apart and being oriented parallel to the first attachment plane,

• the computer program, when being executed by a data processor, is adapted for performing the steps of:
• defining a first cross-section of the three dimensional profile, wherein the first cross-section is oriented within a first surface plane of the raw material block;
• defining a second cross-section of the three dimensional profile, wherein the second cross-section is oriented within a second surface plane of the raw material block, wherein the first and the second surface planes are parallel to the first attachment plane and are spaced apart from each other along a third direction;
• selecting a first reference point on a perimeter of the first cross-section;
• selecting a second reference point on a perimeter of the second cross-section, wherein a connection line between the two reference points is indicative of a desired run of the wire through the raw material block;
• determining a first offset within the first surface plane between the first reference point and the first attachment point;
• determining a second offset within the second surface plane between the second reference point and the second attachment point;
• and
• controlling a movement of the first attachment point and the second attachment point depending on the determined first offset and the determined second offset.