EconCore honeycombs EconCore’s technologies produce large parts that have a honeycomb design, with large hollowed-out spaces, from a variety of materials, including PET, recycled PET, PP, PC, PA and polyetherimide. The process employs extruders, followed by vacuum forming and other steps. Honeycomb sheets are available in a standard width of just under 4 feet, with thicknesses of about 0.1 inch to 1.1 inch with cell sizes from about 0.1 inch to about 0.4 inch.
What’s new? Access to the technical know-how and equipment to produce honeycomb parts from EconCore, a world leader in economic honeycomb sandwich material production technology. Its customers include Fynotej srl de C.V., Tultitlán de Mariano Escobedo, Mexico, which makes parts for the U.S. automotive industry. EconCore honeycombs also have been used in swimming pools supplied through Halle, Germany, manufacturer ThermHex Waben GmbH, an EconCore partner.
Benefits Resin and cost savings. Parts with EconCore honeycomb cores can be up to 80 percent lighter than monolithic parts, and their light weight makes them more energy-efficient if used in car or rail technologies. EconCore panels also have been used as replacements for plywood — a boon to the construction industry because of the rising price of plywood. According to EconCore, by weight, the panels are stronger than solid panels.
EconCore/ThermHex Waben, Chicago, 312-494-2161, www.econcore.com
