Co-Printed Node Interconnect for Joining AM Parts to Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manufacturing techniques, such as welding, are inefficient and costly for joining additively manufactured parts to conventional commercial components, as they often require costly materials and are time-intensive, and may not be viable for new materials used in additive manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The method of co-printing additively manufactured nodes and interconnects using additive manufacturing processes, which allows for the creation of complex geometries and structures that can securely connect nodes to components or tubes through the use of injection ports and vacuum ports for adhesive application, eliminating the need for traditional welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional welding techniques are used to join additively manufactured parts to commercial components, then structural integrity can be achieved, but manufacturing time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The node and interconnect are co-printed as a single integrated component using additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate joining operations like welding. This merging of previously separate parts into one co-printed unit directly reduces manufacturing time while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous material structure created during the co-printing process
2Strength
If conventional welding techniques are used to join additively manufactured parts to commercial components, then structural integrity can be achieved, but material costs and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the node and interconnect into a single co-printed component, the invention eliminates the need for additional welding materials, consumables, and specialized welding equipment. This reduces material costs and simplifies the manufacturing process, making it more accessible and cost-effective while preserving structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The co-printing process inherently creates the integrated node-interconnect structure without requiring external joining operations. The additive manufacturing process itself performs the joining function during fabrication, eliminating the need for separate welding processes and associated costs
3Strength
If conventional welding techniques are used to join additively manufactured parts to commercial components, then structural integrity can be achieved, but the process becomes time-intensive and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The node and interconnect are co-printed together in a single additive manufacturing process before assembly with commercial components. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for time-consuming welding operations that would otherwise be required during final assembly, significantly reducing total manufacturing time while ensuring structural integrity is built-in from the start
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables cost-effective and efficient joining of additively manufactured parts to conventional components by allowing for the creation of custom shapes and structures that can securely connect nodes to components or tubes, reducing manufacturing time and costs while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam to sinter or melt a powder material, which then bonds the powder particles together
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam to sinter or melt a powder material
Implementation Method 3
Selective laser melting entails fusing (agglomerating) particles of a powder at a temperature below the melting point of the powder material
Implementation Method 4
fusing (agglomerating) particles of a powder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Some embodiments of 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 such as a tube. And the present disclosure also relates to a method of joining an additively manufactured node to the tube.