MonoPan

[glenc (Glen)]

Has anyone tried using MonoPan to build a Dobsonian rocker box?
http://www.tctman.com.au/technology_materials_1.html

MonoPan is manufactured by thermofusing high strength fibre reinforced thermoplastic skins onto a thermoplastic honeycomb core. The function of the outer structural skin is to provide the strength and impact performance whilst the inner lightweight plastic core material is simply there to separate the skins and thereby impart significant rigidity into the sandwich panels.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I think it would be excellent.
There are some wonderful products on the market which employ similar honeycomb structures to produce such rigid materials.
My partner's company produces one with epoxy glass or even wood laminate with a honeycomb structure - you can dance on an 8 x 4 panel and it won't even bend never mind fracture.
I think the only difficulty is where the panel subjuncts to the edges or bearing surfaces - it needs careful attention to be weather and damage resistant - mechanical fixings can be a little trying, but I would suggest that the whole base could weigh no more than three or four pounds

[scopemankit (Chris)]

Fine composite material scopes were presented in S & T June 2005 and have been put up on Cloudy Nights at the foll address:

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1123

[glenc (Glen)]

Thanks Jennifer and Chris