Cross member systems and related methods

A system comprising:

• a cross member comprising a central member, a cross member proximal coupling mechanism, and a cross member distal coupling mechanism;
• wherein:
• the central member comprises a central member proximal end and a central member distal end opposite the central member proximal end;
• the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is coupled to the central member at the central member proximal end;
• the cross member distal coupling mechanism is coupled to the central member at the central member distal end;
• the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is configured to be coupled to a first structure and the cross member distal coupling mechanism is configured to be coupled to a second structure so that the central member extends between the first structure and the second structure;
• the central member comprises an extruded beam;
• the extruded beam comprises at least one central member channel extending between the central member proximal end and the central member distal end;
• and
• the at least one central member channel is configured to receive at least one sacrificial member configured to protect the central member.

A system comprising:

• a cross member comprising a central member, a cross member proximal coupling mechanism, and a cross member distal coupling mechanism;
• wherein:
• the central member comprises a central member proximal end and a central member distal end opposite the central member proximal end;
• the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is coupled to the central member at the central member proximal end;
• the cross member distal coupling mechanism is coupled to the central member at the central member distal end;
• the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is configured to be coupled to a first structure comprising a first structure channel, the first structure channel being configured to receive the cross member proximal coupling mechanism when the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is coupled to the first structure;
• the cross member distal coupling mechanism is configured to be coupled to a second structure comprising a second structure channel, the second structure channel being configured to receive the cross member distal coupling mechanism when the cross member distal coupling mechanism is coupled to the second structure;
• the cross member proximal coupling mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism;
• the first locking mechanism is operatively configured to apply pressure to the first structure in order to couple the cross member proximal coupling mechanism to the first structure and to lock cross member proximal coupling mechanism in position when cross member proximal coupling mechanism is coupled to the first structure;
• the central member comprises a first extruded beam;
• the first extruded beam comprises a first central member channel and a second central member channel each extending between the central member proximal end and the central member distal end;
• the first central member channel is configured to receive a first sacrificial member so that the first sacrificial member extends between the central member proximal end and the central member distal end;
• the second central member channel is configured to receive a second sacrificial member so that the second sacrificial member extends between the central member proximal end and the central member distal end;
• the central member is configured to support a work piece when the cross member proximal coupling mechanism is coupled to the first structure and the cross member distal coupling mechanism is coupled to the second structure;
• the work piece is configured to be shaped by a tool;
• and
• the first sacrificial member and the second sacrificial member are configured to protect the central member from the tool when the tool is shaping the work piece.