You may have heard that it takes a lot of snow to fill the ski resorts in the winter and wondered how the process of creating artificial snow works. Some machines work in ski resorts to make the white powder, but if you’re wondering how these machines create artificial snow; you may be surprised to learn that it’s not as complicated as you might think!
Here’s an explanation of how your snow maker machine makes fake snow!
What Is a Snow Machine?
A snow machine is a fantastic bit of technology! They’re typically referred to as snow guns because they use pressurized water combined with glycol (a non-toxic organic chemical compound used in everyday products) and compressed air to make real, artificial snow. A single burst can create several feet of fluffy, white snow within minutes.
How Does a Snow Machine Work?
Snow machines, also known as snow guns, create artificial snow and are found in some of North America’s largest ski resorts. The technology behind how these machines operate is surprisingly simple: Snow guns use compressed air to shoot frozen water droplets into the air. The air is typically produced by diesel engines and contains about 95% nitrogen, 3% hydrogen, and 2% oxygen. The droplets cool down once they leave the gun because they quickly evaporate and release energy in their process.
Is The Snow Machine Difficult to Use?
No, but some people have difficulty understanding how it works, which is why we offer snowmaking classes in our New York showroom. The good news is that most people catch on quickly. Remember when your parents used to struggle with computers, and they had no idea what they were doing but just kept banging away at buttons until they got what they wanted? That’s kind of how beginners feel when working with a snowmaking machine.
Six Major Parts of the Machine
What makes up a snow machine, and how do they all fit together? Let’s break down everything that goes into your average, standard snowmaking setup:
- Water supply
- Pump
- Pipework
- Air compressor or fan
- Nozzle
- Control system
How Long Does It Take to Manufacture a Snow Machine?
Snow-making machines can be manufactured in 30-60 days, although some custom machines can take up to six months. This is mainly dependent on customer specifications and parts availability. It’s also worth noting that specific design patterns like a curved surface can slow down manufacturing time and require additional considerations. Still, regardless of these variables, orders are typically finished within two months.
How Long Can the Snow Machine Run Continuously?
The duration of each winter storm affects how long your snow machine can operate. Heavy, continuous snows (i.e., blizzards) can last for days and require longer operation time than lighter, intermittent snows (i.e., flurries). Snow machines are designed to run continuously with little maintenance and typically last 8-10 hours before any maintenance is required, such as blade sharpening or oiling parts.
Conclusion
Now that you know how a snow machine works take your time learning more about them and finding out which is best for your application. When choosing one, consider budget, horsepower, and other factors. Also, ensure you have enough experience handling machines like these before attempting to use one on your own. When all else fails, follow all instructions closely and take extra safety precautions during operation.
