Method and system for manufacturing a composite tube node

A system, comprising:

• a mold having opposite forming surfaces that define a mold cavity when the mold is in a closed condition, the opposite forming surfaces comprising first features for forming an outer surface of a node element and comprising second features for forming a first portion of an outer surface of each one of a plurality of tube elements;
• a multi-part mandrel fabricated from a resilient material and comprising first portions that are dimensioned for sealing against the second features of the forming surfaces of the mold, and comprising second portions that are dimensioned to define a continuous volume between the multi-part mandrel and the first features of the forming surfaces of the mold, the continuous volume having the shape of the node element;
• a plurality of tube-skeletons, each tube-skeleton comprising a foam core that is encased by a fiber-containing fabric material, and each tube-skeleton being dimensioned at least at one end thereof substantially the same as the second portions of the multi-part mandrel;
• and
• a second mold having opposite forming surfaces that define a second mold cavity when the second mold is in a closed condition, the opposite forming surfaces of the second mold comprising third features for forming a second portion of the outer surface of one of the plurality of tube elements.