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

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 review your project to use simpler and cheaper processes.

Discover all the types of processes and their technical specifications below. If you do not 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 search, together with you, for the solution best suited to your needs.

Welding is a process that allows the union of two joints by melting them or by using filler metal. The technologies we use are:

• MIG / MAG welding
• TIG welding

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

Aesthetics
Consider that the welds can be "ground" or "exposed". In the first case, you will not see any union of the pieces and the final result will be almost the same as a single piece. In the second case the welding seam is visible.

Measurements and limitations
There are no particular limitations in the use of welding except, as already indicated, regarding the type of material. In any case, the project must be evaluated to carry out the most appropriate type of welding (both in terms of the aesthetic aspect and for issues of mechanical stress). Our technicians will be able to advise you on the best type of welding. If you want, you can indicate on your project whether you want a weld with a visible or ground joint.

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 the creation of the mould, it is convenient to use this technique in case of limited production.

Mold sheet metal bending
Mold bending is performed using a mold mounted on a press. It is the solution generally used for processing large quantities of pieces, since consistent production amortizes the initial costs of the mold and allows for easier "mass" production.
At the moment, Hiro does not allow the possibility of “mold bending” given 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 "plate turning" (see point below).

Measurements and limitations
You can make "U" or "V" bends. Remember that with this process you do not obtain "sharp edges", the fold profile must always be considered. The minimum bend is strictly linked to the thickness of the sheets, 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 more economical process than laser cutting when there are many holes. Furthermore, with this process, small deformation operations can be carried out such as bosses or similar for decorative purposes (patterns, etc.).

Measurements and limitations
The measurements allowed for this type of processing vary based on 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, an ashlar sheet metal. Furthermore, you can create perforated surfaces with a "net" effect.

Process similar to molding but with significantly lower costs for equipment. Plate turning (or lathe drawing) is a metalworking process that involves the deformation of sheet metal by forcing a metal disc against the walls of a mold, in order to obtain an axially symmetrical product.
Essentially 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.

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

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

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

Measurements and limitations
The measurements allowed in these processes depend on the thickness of the sheet metal 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 aluminium) 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 features is the precision and cleanliness of the cut edge, which is perfectly smooth and clean. Basically, this technology is applicable to all metallic materials.

Measurements and limitations
Carbon steels up to a thickness of 20 mm can be cut, 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. It largely replaces manual cutting where greater precision is needed. In the case of small batches and simple perimeters, however, manual cutting with subsequent finishing work may be more convenient. With laser cutting you obtain particular shapes and you can carve designs on flat sheets.

Pipe bending using numerical control technology. Regular or irregular curves can be performed.

Measurements and limitations
Limitations vary depending on thickness and radius of curvature. Contact our technicians to check.

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

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

• External turning: machining the external part of the piece
• Internal turning: machining the internal part of a hollow piece

The workpiece can also be eccentrically clamped for turning eccentric parts.

Measurements and limitations
This process does not present any particular contraindications, the limits are defined by the maximum sizes that can be processed 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 normalized color scale used mainly in the field of paints and coatings.

Upon request, we can have special paints and finishes.

By working the metal wire (or the "rod") we mean 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 "metal wire" to be created in different shapes. It is carried out automatically by numerically controlled (CNC) machines. We work with rods and special profiles (flat, oval).

Measurements and limitations
Rods up to a diameter of 12 mm can be processed. 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 of furnishing objects 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)
Plywood and veneer (oak, ash, American walnut, poplar, fir, pine, birch, beech, okumè, iroko)
Laminate
Lacquered MDF

You can use glass sheets 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, mirror sol, etc...)

You can apply mirrors with different finishes to your projects.