Node with co-printed interconnect and methods for producing same

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node. The apparatus includes an additively manufactured interconnect co-printed with the node. The interconnect is configured to connect the node to a component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 additively manufactured first and second nodes; and   an additively manufactured interconnect co-printed with the first and second nodes, wherein the interconnect is configured to connect the first and second nodes to a tube.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnect comprises an end cap having one or more slides configured to slide into an end portion of the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more slides comprises a plurality of semicircular slides configured to slide into the end portion of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second nodes are arranged with the end cap to form a slot through which the tube slides through to attach the end portion of the tube to the end cap. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first node comprises a channel extending from an exterior surface of the node to a slot for adhesive injection. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one of the first and second nodes comprises a second channel extending from the exterior surface of said one of the first and second nodes to the slot. 
     
     
         7 . A method of joining an additively manufactured node to a tube, the method comprising:
 printing first and second nodes;   co-printing, with the first and second nodes, an interconnect, wherein the first and second nodes and interconnect are co-printed by an additive manufacturing process;   receiving a tube; and   using the interconnect, connecting the first and second nodes to the tube.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising sliding an end cap into an end portion of the tube, the end cap having one or more slides configured to slide into an end portion of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more slides comprises a plurality of semicircular slides, the method further comprising sliding the plurality of semicircular slides into the end of the tube. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 arranging the first and second nodes with the end cap to form a slot through which the slides through; and   attaching the end portion of the tube to the end cap.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein printing the first and second nodes comprises forming a first channel extending from an exterior surface of the first node to the slot for adhesive injection. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein printing the first and second nodes comprises forming a second channel extending from the exterior surface of one of the first and second nodes to the slot.