Synthetic ice

Synthetic ice are plastic sheets that mimic natural ice and assembled similar as large floor space.

Operation

Synthetic ice is made of high quality plastic sheets that mimic a smooth surface like ice. They usually come in sizes 1-4 m and are laid like parquet larger area units.

How while skating on ice, the blade glides on a liquid overlay, which is either the plastic material liberates itself by the runners contact or applied regularly on the surface. The sharper the blade, the better this principle.

By edges smallest cuts are set into the material while running, the traditional ice does not break due to its higher density and hardness. Through brakes ( cross points of the runners ), an abrasion is generated as normal on ice, which in turn flattens the pattern. Thus, by frequent use, the surface smooth instead of rough. The abrasion is so minimal that the average lifespan of a synthetic ice rink, depending on the usage and hardness of the plastic sheets between four and twelve years. Maintenance is carried out by cleaning the surface from abrasion.

Origin and History

Since the 60s experimented various manufacturers in the United States with synthetic ice products. The plates were made of wood and were coated with a plastic alloy. In addition, silicone solutions were applied as a lubricant to the plates at regular intervals. The first products were restricted in their lubricity and by prolonged use cut the runners down to the wood or the dried liquid lubricant, which led to a halt of the skid. In addition, the connections between the plates caused little impact edges, the more difficult a normal skating. For some products, we also needed a special touch. This led to the fact that synthetic ice skating at the general audience not sat down and had to close many plants again.

Despite these weaknesses, the manufacturers were able to maintain commercially. Ice coach mainly from the country of origin United States recognized the potential of a cheap and available year-round training area and used them as the technique and fitness training. Due to the higher sliding resistance, the athletes experienced a more rapid strength and endurance building, they could implement in speed on real ice. The low similarity with real ice was compensated by more ice age.

End of the 90s led latest fabric alloys to an innovation leap in the industry. Plates were made ​​entirely of high-quality plastics that come very close to the natural ice and are accessible with conventional skates. Some materials now come from without externally applied Gleitlösungen. Computer- controlled milling machines, the individual plates could be connected without protective edge.

A new boom began and the faces were weather- independent utility quickly especially popular in the warmer regions such as South Africa and South America.

In the United States, increasing numbers of coaches and hall operators who were familiar historical reasons already with synthetic ice, complete on ice rinks and build whole training facilities with synthetic ice. The properties of ice are now so well imitated that even NHL - professional goalkeeper conduct their pre-season training on synthetic ice.

Applications

Ice

Synthetic ice rinks are not admitted to the game or competition use. Therefore, only very rare to find all the ice with the IIHF dimensions 30 m × 60 m. In the practice area smaller areas are used, which are the requirements for certain forms of technical training suitable:

Application Hockey / Figure Skating:

• Goalkeeper training
• Running Technique
• Pole technique
• Pass technique
• Shooting technique
• Coordination
• Jumps
• Pirouettes
• Lifting figures
• Test setups

Some hall operators also offer mini-pitches (30 m × 15 m) that are rented or leased to Hobby teams or full-time coach. For the smaller curling sheets are offered in 3 m × 30 m with the competition dimensions recorded house. A display can be possible with summer and winter coverings.

Commercial use

Due to the low operating costs and easy installation without the infrastructure of a cooling machine some public skating rinks are in shopping centers and leisure stadiums replaced by synthetic ice or removed during construction into consideration. Synthetic ice rinks can be used more flexibly in the size and shape and do not require nearly the surface dimensions of a conventional system.

• Ice
• Ice
• Plastic