Patent attributes
A method of producing a core for a composite panel along a continuous production line is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a thermoplastic sheet of material onto the production line and vacuum forming the thermoplastic sheet of material into alternating pairs of matching shapes, providing the thermoplastic sheet of material with alternating pairs of matching shapes onto upper and lower conveyor belts that are operating at lower speeds than the production line causing the pairs of matching shapes to bunch up and form a honeycomb structure, and cutting the honeycomb structure into discrete sections with spaces therebetween. A plurality of reinforced plastic bands with gaps therebetween are provided and the honeycomb structure is aligned with the gaps. The plurality of reinforced plastic bands and the honeycomb structure are secured together.