SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING MATERIALS SUITABLE FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USING A HYDRODYNAMIC CAVITATION APPARATUS

摘要

Provided in one implementation is a method that includes introducing a volume of raw material into a chamber of a cavitation machine. The raw material can include a mixture comprising a powder and a solvent. The powder can have a first average particle size in the raw material. The method includes applying a hydrodynamic cavitation process to the raw material to produce a product material. The powder can have a second average particle size, smaller than the first average particle size, in the product material. The method includes causing the product material to exit the cavitation chamber and drying the product material to remove the solvent. Apparatus employed to apply the method are also provided.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
preparing a raw material including a mixture comprising a polymer and a functional material selected based on at least one of a structural property, and electrical property, a thermal property, and an aesthetic property, wherein the functional material has a first average particle size in the raw material; heating a chamber of a cavitation machine to a first temperature selected to be greater than a melting temperature of the raw material; introducing a volume of the raw material into the chamber of the cavitation machine; applying a hydrodynamic cavitation process to the raw material to produce a product material, wherein the functional material has a second average particle size, smaller than the first average particle size, in the product material; forming the product material into a desired shape; and cooling the product material to a second temperature selected to be lower than the melting temperature of the product material.