Thermal deformation is a major source of machining errors in modern machine tools. In addition to optimising the machine structure, correcting the axis position values in the numerical control is a common measure to reduce these errors. Another possibility is to directly influence the temperature field of the machine tool in the process, which requires a complex thermo-elastic modelling approach as well as appropriate thermal actuation and measurement capabilities. This paper presents a strategy for controlling the temperature field based on the eigenmodes of the thermal system. The various aspects of the concept are explained using a finite element model of an exemplary structural component. The basis is the modal analysis of the thermal system, which allows the temperature field to be described by independent discrete states. In addition to the placement of thermal sensors and actuators, this work focuses on the design of a suitable control approach. Transient simulation results are used to clearly demonstrate the performance of this method. © 2024, Editorial Institution of Wrocaw Board of Scientific. All rights reserved.