When the refrigeration system starts, the water pump moves water from the tank to the distribution tray. The reducer then directs the water evenly onto the evaporator's inner wall, where it cools below freezing due to heat exchange with the circulating refrigerant, forming an ice layer. The ice blade, also powered by the reducer, scrapes the ice off the wall into the ice bin, creating flake ice. Unfrozen water flows back to the collection tray and returns to the tank, allowing for continuous ice production.