Synthetic ice
Synthetic ice are plastic sheets that imitate natural ice and are joined together to form large surfaces, similar to parquet .
functionality
Synthetic ice consists of high quality plastic sheets that imitate a smooth surface like ice. They usually come in sizes between 1 and 4 m² and are laid in larger units, similar to parquet.
As with ice skating , the blade slides on a liquid sliding layer that either releases the plastic material itself through contact with the blade or is regularly applied to the surface. The sharper the blade, the better this principle works.
When walking, the edges make the smallest cuts in the material, which, due to its higher density and hardness compared to conventional ice, does not break. Braking (moving the runners sideways) creates abrasion like on normal ice, which in turn flattens the pattern. Thus, with more frequent use, the surface becomes smoother instead of rougher. The abrasion is so minimal that the average lifespan of a synthetic ice rink is between four and twelve years, depending on the type of use and the degree of hardness of the plastic sheets. Maintenance is carried out by cleaning the surface from abrasion.
Origin and history
Various manufacturers in the USA had been experimenting with synthetic ice cream products since the 1960s. The panels were made of wood and coated with a plastic alloy. In addition, silicone solutions were applied to the plates at regular intervals as lubricants. The first products were limited in their sliding ability and with prolonged use the runners cut down to the wood or the lubricant dried out, which led to the runners sticking. In addition, the connections between the plates caused small abutting edges that made normal ice skating difficult. Some products also required a special cut. This meant that synthetic ice did not catch on with the general skating public and many facilities had to be closed again.
Despite these weaknesses, the manufacturers were able to hold their own commercially. Ice sports trainers, especially from the USA, their country of origin, recognized the potential of an inexpensive training area that was available all year round and used it in technique and fitness training. Due to the higher sliding resistance, the athletes experienced a faster build-up of strength and endurance, which they were able to implement in speed on real ice. The little resemblance to real ice was compensated for by more ice age.
At the end of the 1990s, the latest material alloys led to a leap in innovation in the industry. Panels are made entirely of high-quality plastics that come very close to natural ice and can be driven on with conventional ice skates. Some materials can now do without externally applied lubricating solutions. By using computer-controlled milling machines, the abutting edges could be minimized.
A new boom set in and thanks to the fact that it can be used regardless of the weather, the areas quickly became popular, especially in warm regions such as South Africa and South America.
In the USA, more and more trainers and hall operators who, for historical reasons, were already familiar with synthetic ice, are completely doing without artificial ice rinks and are building entire training facilities with synthetic ice. The properties of ice are now being mimicked so well that even NHL professional keepers do their pre-season training on synthetic ice.
Applications
Ice sports
Synthetic ice surfaces are not permitted for games or competitions. That is why it is very rare to find entire ice rinks with IIHF dimensions of 30 m × 60 m. Smaller areas are used in the training area, which are also suitable for the requirements of certain forms of technical training:
Application ice hockey / figure skating :
- Goalkeeping training
- Running technique
- Stick technique
- Fitting technique
- Shooting technique
- coordination
- Jumps
- Pirouettes
- Lifting figures
- Test setups
Some hall operators also offer small playing fields (30 m × 15 m) that can be rented or leased to hobby teams or full-time trainers. For ice stock sport , smaller lanes in the competition dimensions 3 m × 30 m with a recorded house are offered. A play is possible with summer and winter coverings.
Examples
- Largest synthetic ice rink in the world in Baku, Azerbaijan
- Olympic Summer Games Brazil 2016, House of Switzerland Pavilion
- Grand Hotel Heiligendamm, Germany
- Detroit Zoo, Michigan
- New Town Eco Park, Kolkata, India
- Ark Encounter, Kentucky, USA
commercial use
Due to the lower operating costs and easy installation without the infrastructure of a refrigeration machine , some public ice rinks in shopping centers and outdoor stadiums are also being replaced by synthetic ice or are being considered for construction. Synthetic ice rinks can also be used more flexibly in terms of size and shape and by far do not require the area dimensions of a conventional system.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Largest synthetic ice rink in the world in Baku, Azerbaijan: https://www.glicerink.com/de/weltgroesste-synthetik-eisbahn-von-glice-azerbaijan-installiert-und-von-praesident-aliyev-eroeffnet/
- ^ Olympic Summer Games in Brazil 2016, House of Switzerland Pavilion: https://houseofswitzerland.org/de/events/brazil-2016
- ↑ Grand Hotel Heiligendamm, Germany: https://player.vimeo.com/video/265150510
- ↑ Detroit Zoo, Michigan: https://detroitzoo.org/press-release/glide-winter-detroit-zoos-new-skating-rink/
- ^ New Town Eco Park, Kolkata, India: http://www.ecoparknewtown.com/iceskating.php
- ↑ Ark Encounter, Kentucky, USA: https://arkencounter.com/things-to-do/