Wire-cut uses a metallic wire (electrode) to cut a programmed contour in a workpiece. It is an electro thermal production process where a thin single strand metal wire along with de-ionised water (used to conduct electricity) allows the wire to cut through metal by the use of heat from electrical sparks, while preventing rust.
Extrusion dies and blanking punches are very often machined by wire cutting. Wire-cut technique is extensively used by the tool industry for machining of patterns and dies in hardened tool steel and other hard materials. It is also used for cutting critical and intricate profiles in components used in aerospace and medical industries.