ice sculpture by routing ...

[CNCpatriot]

Hi,

I want to build some ice sculpture.
I have the 3D cad file of the sculpture.(back side is flat).
Can I do CNC routing of the shape in foam/thermocol , pour water into it and let it solidify?
Will this work? Have anyone tried this method?
Or should I use some other material to carve the mould?

regards
CNCPatriot

[ger21]

You need to use a material that the ice won't stick to.

I've seen machines actually route a block of ice, but have never seen anyone make an ice mold.

[ImanCarrot]

You also have to remember that water's one of the few things that actualy expand when it freezes- hence why icebergs/ icecubes float- they're less dense than the water they're floating in cos the frozen water has expanded.

It's quite a considerable force... probably would crack the mould? unless the mould was fairly flexible?

[CNCpatriot]

Hi,

Iam planning to make a open mould, in the sense the top surface of the water will be open and flat. Only the bottom surface will take the shape of the mould.
And I guess foam will be a good flexible material to accomodate the expansion.

When I was browsing I also came across people routing the ice itself.
Wondering why the mould concept is not popular, anyways Iam going to try it out and will post my observations.

[todd71]

Hi,
When I was browsing I also came across people routing the ice itself.
Wondering why the mould concept is not popular, anyways Iam going to try it out and will post my observations.

May have something to do with the clarity of the ice. To get clear block they use special freezers that freeze from the bottom up. Allowing the impurities, which cause feathering, to rise to the top. Then that layer is removed with a saw when squaring the blocks. Reveling the crystal clear center.
Iceculture Inc. :: A Different Kind of Ice Company! - Ice Blocks

[PaulRowntree]

The company IceCultures has an interesting history. Nasa went to hem to make 'perfect' ice chunks to hit shuttle wing mockups in the wake of the last accident. Turns out this little company is unique in the quality of ice made. << No No No ! No Canadian winter jokes please! >>

If you are trying the mold idea, try putting a spherical or cylindrical float in the water as it freezes; the expanding ice can push the float up to relieve some of the pressure. They used to put logs in swimming pools to 'winterize' them and help protect the walls.

Cheers!