U.S. patent application number 17/150226 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for node with co-printed interconnect and methods for producing same.
The applicant listed for this patent is DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to John Russell Bucknell, Kevin Robert Czinger, Eahab Nagi El Naga, Antonio Bernerd Martinez, Broc William TenHouten.
Application Number | 20210129448 17/150226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005341486 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
![](/patent/app/20210129448/US20210129448A1-20210506\US20210129448A1-2021050)
United States Patent
Application |
20210129448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Czinger; Kevin Robert ; et
al. |
May 6, 2021 |
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.
Inventors: |
Czinger; Kevin Robert;
(Santa Monica, CA) ; TenHouten; Broc William;
(Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) ; Bucknell; John Russell;
(Topanga, CA) ; El Naga; Eahab Nagi; (Topanga,
CA) ; Martinez; Antonio Bernerd; (El Segundo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005341486 |
Appl. No.: |
17/150226 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15619379 |
Jun 9, 2017 |
10919230 |
|
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17150226 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 11/0685 20130101;
B33Y 80/00 20141201; B29L 2031/22 20130101; B29C 65/002 20130101;
F16C 2220/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B29C 65/00 20060101
B29C065/00; B33Y 80/00 20060101 B33Y080/00; F16C 11/06 20060101
F16C011/06 |
Claims
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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/619,379, filed Jun. 9, 2017, the entire contents of
which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to additively
manufactured techniques for connecting components to nodes, and
more specifically to additively manufacturing techniques for
co-printing nodes and interconnects used for connecting nodes to
components.
Background
[0003] Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes involve the
layer-by-layer buildup of one or more materials to make a
3-dimentional object. AM techniques are capable of fabricating
complex components from a wide variety of materials. Typically, a
freestanding object is fabricated from a computer aided design
(CAD) model. Using the CAD model, the AM process can create a solid
three-dimensional object by using a laser beam to sinter or melt a
powder material, which then bonds the powder particles together. In
the AM process, different materials or combinations of material,
such as, engineering plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, metals,
and ceramics may be used to create a uniquely shaped 3-dimensional
object.
[0004] Several different printing techniques exist. One such
technique is called selective laser melting. Selective laser
melting entails fusing (agglomerating) particles of a powder at a
temperature below the melting point of the powder material. More
specifically, a laser scans a powder bed and melts the powder
together where structure is desired, and avoids scanning areas
where the sliced data indicates that nothing is to be printed. This
process may be repeated thousands of times until the desired
structure is formed, after which the printed part is removed from a
fabricator.
[0005] As AM processes continue to improve, more complex mechanical
manufacturers are beginning to investigate the benefits of using
additively manufactured parts in their designs. This is because,
achieving efficient and effective manufacturing processes at low
costs are perpetual goals of manufacturing sectors of many
industries. For instance, the automotive industry, aircraft
manufacturing, and other industries involved in the assembly of
transport structures are constantly engaging in cost saving
optimizations and looking for opportunities to improve
manufacturing processes. Joining parts is one such area that proven
to be difficult to optimize. For instance, conventional
manufacturing processes rely on joining separate parts together
using techniques like welding, which can require costly material
and may be time intensive. Improvements and potential alternatives
to such techniques are therefore continually being sought by
practitioners in these industries.
[0006] The recent advances in 3-dimensional printing or AM
processes have presented new opportunities to build wide varieties
and ranges of simple to very complex parts at relatively
competitive costs. With AM, different composite materials may be
used that were not previously available in traditional
manufacturing processes. These materials may be lighter or more
cost efficient than available predecessor materials. For a variety
of reasons, however, conventional techniques such as welding may
not be a viable alternative for use with some of these new
materials. Therefore, it can be difficult to join additively
manufactured parts to conventional commercial components.
SUMMARY
[0007] Several aspects of techniques for joining an additively
manufactured node to a component will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to three-dimensional printing
techniques.
[0008] One aspect of 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.
[0009] Another aspect of an apparatus including additively
manufactured first and second nodes. The apparatus includes an
additively manufactured interconnect co-printed with the first and
second nodes. The interconnect is configured to connect the first
and second nodes to a tube.
[0010] Another aspect of a method of joining an additively
manufactured node to a component. The method prints a node. The
method co-prints, with the node, an interconnect. The node and
interconnect are co-printed by an additive manufacturing process.
The method receives a component. The method uses the interconnect
to connect the node to the component.
[0011] Another aspect of a method of joining an additively
manufactured node to a tube, the method prints first and second
nodes. The method co-prints, with the first and second nodes, an
interconnect. The first and second nodes and interconnect are
co-printed by an additive manufacturing process. The method
receives a tube. Using the interconnect, the method connects the
first and second nodes to the tube.
[0012] It will be understood that other aspects of co-printing
interconnects with additively manufactured nodes will become
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only
several embodiments by way of illustration. As will be realized by
those skilled in the art, the co-printing of interconnects with
additively manufactured nodes are capable of other and different
embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in
various other respects, all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Various aspects of tooling shells and methods for
co-printing interconnects with additively manufactured nodes will
now be presented in the detailed description by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
comprising a joined node and component.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
comprising a joined node and component.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
having a node and component.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a component with a detachable adhesive
mixer.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
with a dovetail joint.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
having a socket with an outward bulge.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
having a pair of nodes.
[0021] FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a process for joining an
additively manufactured node to a component.
[0022] FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a process for joining an
additively manufactured node to a tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended to provide a description of
various exemplary embodiments of additively manufacturing
techniques for co-printing nodes and interconnects and is not
intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. The term "exemplary" used throughout this
disclosure means "serving as an example, instance, or
illustration," and should not necessarily be construed as preferred
or advantageous over other embodiments presented in this
disclosure. The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing a thorough and complete disclosure that
fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the
art. However, the invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In some instances, well-known structures and components
may be shown in block diagram form, or omitted entirely, in order
to avoid obscuring the various concepts presented throughout this
disclosure.
[0024] The use of additive manufacturing in the context of joining
two or more parts provides significant flexibility and cost saving
benefits that enable manufacturers of mechanical structures and
mechanized assemblies to manufacture parts with complex geometries
at a lower cost to the consumer. The joining techniques described
in the foregoing relate to a process for connecting additively
manufactured parts and/or commercial of the shelf (COTS)
components. Additively manufactured parts are printed 3-dimensional
parts that are printed by adding layer upon layer of a material
based on a preprogramed design. The parts described in the
foregoing may be parts used to assemble a motor vehicle such as an
automobile. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the manufactured parts may be used to assemble other complex
mechanical products such as vehicles, trucks, trains, motorcycles,
boats, aircraft, and the like without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0025] By utilizing additive manufacturing techniques to co-print
parts it becomes simpler to join different parts and/or components
in the manufacturing process by applying an adhesive. Additive
manufacturing provides the ability to create complex structures
within a part. For example, a part such as a node may be printed
with a port that enables the ability to secure two parts by
injecting an adhesive rather than welding two parts together, as is
traditionally done in manufacturing complex products.
[0026] As will be discussed herein, a node is an example of an
additively manufactured part. A node may be any 3-D printed part
that includes a socket for accepting a component such as a tube.
The node may have a socket with an internal support structure
configured to hold an interconnect in place. Such features may be
co-printed with the node. Alternatively or conjunctively, the node
socket may be shaped to accept a particular type of component. For
instance, the internal shape of socket may be round or dovetailed
to enable radial mobility or crimping of the interconnect,
respectively. However, as a person having ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate, a multitude of node/socket configurations may be
utilized to accept a variety of different types of interconnects
without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
comprising a joined node and component. The apparatus 100 includes
a node 105, an interconnect 110, a socket 115, an injection port
125, support structure 130, and a tube 135. The interconnect 110
comprises head 140 at the proximal end and a shaft 145 at the
distal end.
[0028] The node 105 and the interconnect 110 are co-printed, or
additively manufactured together during the same printing process.
For instance, the interconnect 110 and the node 105 may be designed
in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file that is transferred to a 3-D
printing device. The 3-D printer may then process the file and
initiate a print process based on the file. The node/interconnect
structure may then be printed during the same print process.
[0029] During the printing process, support structure 130 may also
be co-printed to hold the interconnect 110 and node 105 together in
the socket 115. Support structure 130 may comprise thin spokes
and/or protrusions that are configured to break apart so that the
interconnect 110 is then free to move around in a rotational and/or
linear manner depending on the configuration of the socket 115. The
support structure 130 may also be used to confine the movement of
the interconnect 110. For instance, protrusions may be used to
confine the angular rotation of the interconnect 110 to be within a
specific range.
[0030] As shown, the head 140 may be spherical in shape.
Additionally, the head 140 is arranged with the socket 115 to form
a joint. The joint may be a rotating or linear joint. The
interconnect 110 is configured to connect the node 105 to a
component. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the component may
be a tube such as the tube 135. The shaft 145 may be configured to
slide into an end portion of the tube 135. In some embodiments of
the apparatus 100, the distal end of the interconnect 110 may have
an end cap that is configured to slide over an end portion of the
tube. An end cap may be a component that has a cylindrical shape
like a tube with a slightly larger diameter that is designed to fit
over a tube. Although the tube is cylindrical in this example, one
having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a number of
different shapes may be utilized for the tube and/or end cap
arrangement such as a multisided polygon, without departing from
the scope of the disclosure.
[0031] Additively manufacturing parts provides the ability to
utilize techniques that are not available in traditional
manufacturing processes that typically weld parts and/or components
together. For instance, complex structures like the adhesive port
125 may be printed in the node 105. The adhesive portion 125 may
include a channel that extends from an exterior surface of the node
to the socket 130. The adhesive port 125 is configured to inject an
adhesive material into the joint formed by the socket 115 and head
140. The adhesive material may be injected when the head 140 is
positioned in such a manner that enables the shaft 145 to slide
into the tube 135. In some embodiments of the apparatus 100, the
shaft 145 may be inside of the tube 135 prior to adhesion
injections. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the adhesive
material may be a polymer such as an epoxy, resin, or any material
that forms a strong bond between the interconnect 110 and the node
105. In some embodiments of the apparatus, and as will be discussed
with respect to FIG. 7, a second port may also be formed in the
additively manufactured node 105. The second port may be a vacuum
port. The vacuum port, in some embodiments of the apparatus, may
include a channel extending from an exterior surface of the node
105 to the socket 115 for enabling at least a partial vacuum
environment during the adhesion process. For instance, the vacuum
port may help to pull the adhesive material injected through the
adhesive port 125 through and around the socket 115 by reducing the
air pressure in the socket. This enables the adhesive to be applied
to the socket 115 in a uniform manner free of bubbles or defects.
Thus, the structural integrity of the part is maintained after
adhesion.
[0032] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the
node/interconnect structure described with respect to FIG. 1 is
simply an example of a structure that connects a node 105 to a
component such as a tube 135 and that simple variations to the
parts described may be used without departing from the scope of the
invention. For instance, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment
of an apparatus 200 comprising a joined node and component. The
apparatus 200 has many similar features to those discussed with
respect to FIG. 1. However, the head 210 of the interconnect has an
ellipsoidal shape rather than the circular shape described with
respect to FIG. 1. The ellipsoidal shape may provide a different
range of motion for the joint. Thus, the node/interconnect
structure can be designed or configured in a variety of different
ways to adapt to the manufacturing constraints or needs that may
exist when manufacturing a complex mechanical structure.
Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the illustrated socket and/or head of the node and interconnect,
respectively, need not be confined to the spherical or ellipsoidal
shapes discussed above. In fact, any suitable shape that provides
the requisite mobility for manufacturing the complex mechanical
structure may be utilized without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
300 having a node and component. As shown, the apparatus 300
includes a node 305, an interconnect head 310, and a socket 330,
each similar to the node 105, interconnect head 140, and socket
130, respectively. The interconnect head 310 and socket 330,
together, forms a joint. The joint is similar to that of FIG. 1.
However, it varies in that the interconnect head 310 is confined
such that significant linear movement is available, but rotational
movement is minimized.
[0034] In some embodiments of the apparatus, a mixture that forms
an adhesive material may be applied. For instance, FIG. 4
illustrates an apparatus 400 with a detachable adhesive mixer 425.
As shown, the apparatus 400 includes the detachable adhesive mixer
425, a node 405, an interconnect 410, a first material 415, a
second material 420, a socket 430, and injection port 435. The
detachable adhesive mixer may be connected to the adhesive port
435. A mixture of the first and second materials 415 and 420 may be
injected into the injection port 435. The mixture may then fill the
socket 430 such that the interconnect 410 is adhered to the node
405 by way of the socket 430. The detachable adhesive mixer allows
for the use of two-part adhesives in the adhesion process.
[0035] As discussed above, additively manufacturing parts provides
the capability of printing nodes and/or interconnects in a variety
of different shapes. This provides greater customizability to meet
a variety of needs when manufacturing a complex mechanical product.
Such customizability reduces cost and manufacturing time.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
500 with a dovetail joint. As shown, the apparatus 500 includes a
node 505, an interconnect 510, a tube 515, a socket 520, and a
crimper 530. The node 505 includes a distal end 545 and a proximal
end 540.
[0037] As shown, the distal end 535 of the interconnect 510 has an
end cap configured to slide over an end portion of the tube 515.
The proximal end 540 of the interconnect 510 has a dovetail shape.
The proximal end 540 fits into the dovetail shaped socket, such as
the socket 520. The socket 520 and the proximal end 540, together,
form a dovetail joint.
[0038] As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the apparatus 500 may
also be printed with support structures that may be broken after
printing so that the proximal end 540 of the interconnect 510 can
move around within the socket 520, similar to that of the head 140
and socket 130 of FIG. 1. Also similar, the socket 520 may be
configured to allow the interconnect 510 to have rotational and/or
linear motion. Once the interconnect 510 is in place, it is secured
via swaging. That is, the node 505 is deformed by the crimpers 530
such that the interconnect 510 is held in place.
[0039] Optionally, the apparatus 500 may also include an injection
port and/or vacuum port, as described above to apply an adhesive to
fix the interconnect 510 in place. The adhesion process may be used
in addition to or in lieu of swaging the node 505.
[0040] By additively manufacturing parts, a variety of different
shapes and configurations can be realized that were not possible
with traditional manufacturing techniques for complex mechanical
structures. The dovetail joint is one example of a configuration
that can be generated by additively manufacturing a node and
interconnect. FIG. 6, as will be discussed below, illustrates
another example of a node and interconnect that can be generated by
additively manufacturing the node and interconnect.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus
600 having a socket with an outward bulge. As shown, the apparatus
600 includes a node 605, an interconnect 610, material 615, and a
tube 620. The node 605 includes a socket 630 with a section 625
having an outward bulge.
[0042] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the socket 630 is
substantially cylindrical.
[0043] The interconnect 610 includes a shaft 670 that is connected
to an interior surface 665 of the socket 630 opposite an opening
660 of the socket 630. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the
interconnect is a mandrel. Additionally, the interconnect includes
head 655 at the proximal end as well as a distal end 650. As shown,
the head 655 is extendable beyond the opening of the socket 630. As
described above, the socket 630 includes a section 625 with an
outward bulge around a portion of the interconnect shaft 670.
[0044] As shown, an end portion of the tube 620 is positioned over
the interconnect 610. The end portion of the tube 620 also includes
a section 625 that has an outward bulge around the shaft 670 of the
interconnect 610.
[0045] The injected material 615 may be a polymer such as silicone
or a hydraulic fluid. As shown, the material 615 is applied in
between the end portion of the tube 620 and the interior surface
665 of the socket 630 and the head 655 of the interconnect 610.
[0046] In some embodiments of the apparatus, a hydroforming process
is utilized to cause the tube 620 to deform. For the hydroforming
process, the material 615 is a hydroforming material such as
silicone that is injected in the tube 620 after the tube 620 is
inserted in the socket 630. The injected material in combination
with the interconnect 610 generates pressure within the tube 620.
The pressure causes the tube 620 to deform by bulging along the
section 625 of the socket 630 that has the outward bulge. This
deformity forms a mechanical seal between the tube 620 and the node
605. At the culmination of the hydroforming process, the material
is expelled from the socket 630 and the tube 620 is connected to
the node 605.
[0047] In some embodiments of the apparatus, more than one node may
be utilized to connect a component such as a tube. FIG. 7
illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 700 having a
pair of nodes. As shown, the apparatus 700 includes first and
second nodes 705 and interconnect 710. The nodes 705 and
interconnect 710 are co-printed by additive manufacturing. The
apparatus 700 also includes a tube 715, and injection port 720, a
vacuum port 725, at least one slide 730, adhesive material 735, and
screw threads 740.
[0048] As shown, the interconnect 710 is configured to connect the
first and second nodes 705 to the tube 715. In some embodiments of
the apparatus, the interconnect 710 comprises an end cap having one
or more slides 730 configured to slide into an end portion of the
tube 715. For instance, the slides 730 may comprise several
semicircular slides configured to slide into an end portion of the
tube 715.
[0049] The first and second nodes 705 may be arranged with the end
cap to form a slot through which the tube 715 slides through to
attach the end portion of the tube 715 to the end cap.
[0050] The left-most node 705 includes the injection port 720,
which includes a channel extending from an exterior surface of the
node to the slot for adhesive injection. The node 705 also includes
the vacuum port 725, which includes a second channel extending from
the exterior surface of one of the nodes 705 to the slot. The
injection port 720 and the vacuum port 725 cooperatively work to
inject and pull the adhesive material 735 through the slot to hold
the slot and tube in place. In some embodiments of the apparatus
the vacuum port may enable at least a partial vacuum environment
through the slot. Screw threads 740, in conjunction with threaded
screws, may alternatively be used to hold the slides 730 in place
instead of the adhesive material 735.
[0051] FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a process 800 for joining an
additively manufactured node to a component. The process 800 may
begin after instructions for co-printing a node and an interconnect
are received by an additive manufacturing printer.
[0052] As shown, the process 800 prints (at 805) a node. The node
may be a node such as the node 105 described with respect to FIG.
1. The process 800 co-prints (at 810) an interconnect with the
node. The interconnect may be an interconnect such as interconnect
110 described with respect to FIG. 1. In some embodiments of the
process, the node and interconnect are co-printed as part of an
additive manufacturing process. The process receives (at 815) a
component. The component may be a tube such as the component (e.g.,
tube) 135 described with respect to FIG. 1. The process 800
connects (at 820) the node to the component by way of the
interconnect.
[0053] FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a process 900 for joining an
additively manufactured node to a tube. The process 900 may begin
after instructions for co-printing a node and an interconnect are
received by an additive manufacturing printer.
[0054] As shown, the process 900 prints (at 905) first and second
nodes. The first and second nodes may be similar to the first and
second nodes 705 described with respect to FIG. 7. The process 900
co-prints (at 910) an interconnect with the first and second nodes.
The interconnect may be similar to the interconnect 710 described
with respect to FIG. 7. In some embodiments of the process, the
first and second nodes and the interconnect are co-printed as part
of an additive manufacturing process. The process 900 receives (at
915) a tube. The tube may be similar to the tube 715 described with
respect to FIG. 7. The process 900 connects (at 920) the first and
second nodes to the tube by way of the interconnect.
[0055] The capability to additively manufacture parts provides the
advantageous benefit of generating shapes, configurations, and
structures that are not available in conventional manufacturing
processes. For instance, in conventional manufacturing processes,
parts are typically joined by welding. However, with an additively
manufactured node, it is possible to print injection and vacuum
ports for applying adhesives to attach parts. Moreover, joints may
be provided by co-printing joints and interconnects that enable
nodes to be connected to various components such as tubes.
[0056] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described
herein. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments
presented throughout this disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the concepts disclosed herein may be
applied to other techniques for printing nodes and interconnects.
Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the exemplary
embodiments presented throughout the disclosure, but are to be
accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims. All
structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the
exemplary embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are
known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the
art are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing
disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the
claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of
35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f), or analogous law in applicable
jurisdictions, unless the element is expressly recited using the
phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element
is recited using the phrase "step for."
* * * * *