Panel, in particular a floor panel

A method of forming a panel having a core having a first side edge and second side edge lying opposite one another, the method comprising:

• forming a plurality of spring elements embodied on the second side edge and each being identical, the plurality of spring elements formed to include ends, an outer edge, and a slot running through the core, the plurality of spring elements being formed so as to connect to the core with the ends in a longitudinal direction of the second side edge, and the outer edge of the spring element being formed inclined at an angle α with respect to a top side of the panel;
• forming a groove extending essentially in a horizontal direction H on the first side edge, lying opposite the plurality of spring elements, and extending over a length L of the first side edge, wherein the groove:
• is dimensioned such that the plurality of spring elements adopt its original position once inserted therein;
• is deeper in the core than necessary to accommodate the plurality of spring elements;
• includes an upper groove cheek which forms an essentially horizontal locking edge;
• and
• includes a groove base that runs essentially parallel to an outer edge of the plurality of spring elements or at an angle deviating from the angle α;
• a first hook element on an edge of the first side edge adjacent to the top side, the first hook element being part of an upper locking section and including:
• a stepped surface comprising an upper portion on an outer plane and an inner portion on an inner plane with a shoulder therebetween,
• a step-shaped shoulder with two steps extending in a direction of an underside of the panel;
• forming a second hook element on an edge of the second side edge adjacent the underside, the second hook element being part of a lower locking section, the second hook element being formed to comprise a step-shaped shoulder with two steps extending in the direction of the top side, wherein surfaces of the two steps of the first hook element and the second hook element interact to form a horizontal plane E when corresponding panels are joined,
• forming transition areas arranged on the ends of the slot, the transition areas being embodied as gaps with essentially uniformly decreasing depths such that a greatest depth is at an end that is facing towards the slot and a smallest depth is at an end that is guided in the underside;
• and
• forming a projection extending from the groove, the projection being formed to have an edge, which in a lower section runs at an angle β to the top side, in a central section runs essentially perpendicular and in an upper section runs essentially horizontally, wherein the upper section forms a groove cheek of the groove, wherein:
• the panel is moved at a constant speed when the slot is formed.