Continuous honeycomb panel molding method

A method for continuously molding a honeycomb panel having a sandwich structure wherein surface materials of a prepreg of a plastic composite impregnated with a thermosetting resin are bonded to both surfaces of a honeycomb core member, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) sandwiching a band-like honeycomb core member in between upper and lower surface materials of a prepreg to form a band-like honeycomb panel blank;
• b) feeding said band-like panel blank between a pair of upper and lower hot plates of a rectangular plane shape having a width corresponding to the width of the blank and having a length extending in the longitudinal direction of the blank;
• c) stopping said band-like panel blank with a part of said blank-like panel between said hot plates;
• d) pressurizing said hot plates against said stopped band-like blank and applying pressure and heat to said part of said band-like panel blank between said hot plates for a preset time;
• e) after said preset time, relieving said pressure exerted by said hot plates and feeding said band-like panel blank a distance corresponding to a partial length of said hot plates and stopping said band-like panel blank;
• f) repeating said steps b., c., d. and e. and forming a long, continuous honeycomb panel from said panel blank, and
• g) subjecting said long, continuous honeycomb panel obtained by repeating said steps b., c., d., and e to an additional heating by passing said continuous honeycomb panel between a lower hot plate having air holes for the ejection of a high-temperature air upward and an upper hot plate having air holes for the ejection of a high-temperature air downwards, said downwards air forming an air current floating said panel below said upper hot plate.