Some processes are not available for the objects you produce with Hiro, due to our characteristic of dealing with medium-small lots.

For example, casting and molding are two processes that are too expensive and complex to adapt to small productions. However, there are alternative possibilities that can bring very similar effects, our technicians can advise you on how to revise your project to use simpler and cheaper processes.

Discover below all the types of processes and their technical specifications. If you cannot find the workmanship you are looking for or the measurements of your object do not allow it, contact us to check possible changes to the project. We will be happy to find, together with you, the solution that best suits your needs.

Welding is a process that allows the union of two joints by fusion of the same or by means of filler metal. The technologies we use are:

• MIG / MAG welding
• TIG welding

Weldability of metals
Be careful as not all materials have the same weldability. Steels generally have greater weldability than other materials. During the design phase, Hiro reserves the right to evaluate the feasibility or otherwise of this process for materials other than steel.

Aesthetics
Consider that the welds can be "ground" or "on sight". In the first case, you will not see any joining of the pieces and the final result will be almost the same as a single piece. In the second case the weld bead is visible.

Measures and limitations
There are no particular limitations in the use of welds except, as already indicated, with regard to the type of material. In any case, the project must be evaluated in order to perform the most suitable type of welding (both in terms of aesthetics and mechanical stress issues). Our technicians will be able to advise you on the best type of welding. If you like, you can indicate on your design whether you want a ground or exposed joint weld.

How you can use it
Welding allows you to create different types of "structures" by joining two steel profiles together. This is the most "classic" system for building different types of furnishing objects.

Bending is a mechanical process with which an object is deformed by applying forces to obtain flat semi-finished products. Bending is an economical and versatile process. Whenever possible, for economic reasons, it is better to use bending instead of operations such as welding or mechanical fixings (screws, etc.).

Bending with press brake
Since there are no costs for making the mould, it is convenient to use this technique in the case of limited productions.

Sheet metal bending
Mold bending is performed using a mold mounted on a press. It is the solution generally used for machining large quantities of pieces, since a consistent production amortises the initial costs of the mold and allows easier "series" production.
At the moment, Hiro does not allow the possibility of "bending from a die" due to the high costs that cannot be reduced by an adequate economy of scale. To obtain some machined details (e.g. curvatures, cambers, etc...) you can always use "slab turning" (see point below).

Measures and limitations
You can make "U" or "V" bends. Remember that with this process you do not get "sharp edges", the bend profile must always be considered. The minimum bend is closely linked to the thickness of the slabs, the size of the final piece and a series of other factors that must be calculated for each project.

How you can use it
With bending you can build many furnishing elements: square trays, object holders, candle holders, shelves, frames and any other object in which you have foreseen a "flat curve".

This is a cheaper process than laser cutting when there are many holes. Furthermore, with this process, it is possible to perform small deformation operations such as bosses or similar for decorative purposes (patterns, etc.).

Measures and limitations
The measurements allowed for this type of processing vary according to the type of material and the thickness of the slabs to be processed.

How you can use it
You can create decorative "patterns" such as, for example, a studded sheet. Furthermore, you can create perforated surfaces with a "net" effect.

Processing similar to molding but with decidedly lower costs for the equipment. Slab turning (or lathe drawing) is a metal working process which involves the deformation of metal in slab or plate by forcing a metal disc against the walls of a mold, in order to obtain an axially symmetrical product.
Basically any ductile metal can be formed through this process: iron, aluminium, copper, brass, various types of steel up to stainless steel and special steels. Diameter and depth of formed parts are limited only by the size of available equipment.

Measures and limitations
For all materials, the expected thicknesses range from a minimum of 0.8 mm to a maximum of 3.0 mm. Micro-perforated iron and stainless steel sheet can also be worked.

How you can use it
Through this technique the most disparate objects are created: lamps, vases, cups, etc...

Calendering makes it possible to shape sheet metal or metal sections by passing them through rollers with parallel axes arranged in such a way that the sheet metal follows a circular trajectory to pass between them. Ideal for circular or conical profiles (open or closed).

Measures and limitations
The measurements allowed in these processes depend on the thickness of the sheet and the radius of curvature. Consider a minimum diameter of 120 mm.

How you can use it
Ideal for circular or conical profiles (open or closed). Such as vases, planters, lamps.

Sheet metal cutting (steel, stainless steel and aluminum) using the laser technique. In addition to delimiting a perimeter, it is possible to create a pattern or design decorations.
The operation basically consists of a thermal process with which the laser beam melts the material to be cut. One of the main characteristics is the precision and cleanliness of the cut edge, which is perfectly smooth and clean. Basically, this technology is applicable to all metallic materials.

Measures and limitations
Carbon steel can be cut up to a thickness of 20 mm, while for stainless steel the maximum thickness is 15 mm. Aluminum alloys, on the other hand, can be easily cut up to a thickness of 10 mm per sheet.

How you can use it
Laser cutting is essential for many parts of your project. In large part it replaces manual cutting where greater precision is needed. In the case of small lots and simple perimeters, however, manual cutting with subsequent finishing operations could be more convenient. With laser cutting, particular shapes are obtained and you can carve designs on flat plates.

Pipe bending using numerical control technology. You can make smooth or irregular turns.

Measures and limitations
Limitations vary according to thickness and radius of curvature. Contact our technicians to verify.

How you can use it
Chairs, seats in general, curved profiles.

Turning is a material removal process from solid. According to the position of the tool, it is divided into:

• External turning: machining of the external part of the piece
• Internal turning: Machining the inside of a hollow workpiece

The workpiece can also be eccentrically fixed to turn eccentric parts.

Measures and limitations
This process has no particular contraindications, the limits are defined by the maximum measures that can be worked by numerically controlled machines.

How you can use it
You can create vases, containers, object holders, candle holders and other furnishing elements.

RAL is a term used to define a standardized color scale used mainly in the field of paints and coatings.

On request, we can have special paints and finishes.

Working with metal wire (or "rod") means a series of operations carried out on a bar with a circular section. In particular, reference is made to the bending processes that allow the creation of different shapes to the "metal wire". It is performed automatically by numerical control machines (CNC). Rounds and special profiles (flat, oval) are machined.

Measures and limitations
It is possible to process rods up to a diameter of 12 mm. The steel wire can be cut from a minimum size of 5 mm up to 3 m.

How you can use it
It is used to create hooks and supports but also structures for furnishing items such as chairs and stools, handles, etc...

Stainless steel

Carbon Steel (Iron)

Aluminum

To your projects, wooden parts can be applied:

Solid wood (larch, fir)

Multilayer and veneered (oak, ash, black walnut, poplar, fir, pine, birch, beech, okumè, iroko)

Laminate

Lacquered MDF

You can use glass plates in your projects. We do not deal with glass with special processes (e.g. blown glass). You can choose between:

Clear glass

Extra clear glass

Wired glass

Special glass (smoked, sandblasted, sol mirror, etc...)

You can apply mirrors with different finishes to your projects.