MAKEING ICE


The ZAMBONI is a highly specialized machine that cleans the ice between periods. In its travel across the ice, it scrapes the loose shavings off and lays down a layer of hot water. The water must be hot to melt the upper ice surfaces and weld a smooth sheet. It takes just minutes to freeze.


SHAVING
A blade (A) scrapes the surface of the ice.

COLLECTING
After a horizontal screw (B) gathers the shavings, a vertical screw (C)propels them into the snowtank.(D)

WASHING
Water is fed from a wash-water tank(E) to a squeegee-like conditioner (F), which smooths the ice. Dirty water is vacuumed, filtered and returned to the tank.

RENEWING
Clean, hot water is spread on the ice by a towel (G) behind the conditioner.

THE ICE SURFACE
It takes 30 hours and 14,300 gallons of water to prepare a rink for ice hockey.

PAINT:
Lines painted on a bottom layer of ice; painting takes 6 hours.

ICE:
3/4 - 1" thick.

PIPES:
Circulating mixture of glycol and water cools concrete.

CONCRETE:
Cool concrete freezes water.

TEMPERATURES:
3 feet above the ice: 50°F
Surface: 20°F
Concrete: 17°F
 

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