Tuned transducer, and methods and systems for tuning a transducer

A method of tuning a transducer comprising a vibratory energy producing element that generates vibratory energy and a waveguide member coupled to the vibratory energy producing element and transmitting the vibratory energy, the waveguide member having a longitudinal axis and divided along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of waveguide segments, the method comprising:

• activating the transducer;
• scanning a velocity of at least some of the waveguide segments to create a velocity profile of the transducer;
• detecting at least one non-uniform waveguide segment causing unacceptable velocity uniformity deviation based on the velocity profile;
• and
• altering a mass of the at least one non-uniform waveguide segment.

A system for tuning a transducer comprising a vibratory energy producing element that generates vibratory energy and a waveguide member coupled to the vibratory energy producing element and transmitting the vibratory energy, the waveguide member having a longitudinal axis and divided along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of waveguide segments, the system comprising:

• a velocometer that outputs a velocity signal representative of a velocity of at least one of the plurality of waveguide segments or of the transducer;
• a non-uniform waveguide segment detector that detects at least one non-uniform waveguide segment based on a velocity profile generated from the velocity signal;
• and
• a mass alteration system that alters a mass of the detected at least one non-uniform waveguide segment.

An image reproducing system comprising:

• an image bearing member that moves in a process direction and bears an image to be reproduced, the image contained within an active width of the image bearing member;
• a transducer that applies vibratory energy to the image bearing member, the transducer arranged in a direction transverse to the process direction and having a length greater than or equal to the active width, the transducer comprising:
• a vibratory energy producing element that generates vibratory energy;
• and
• a waveguide member coupled to the vibratory energy producing element and transmitting the vibratory energy to the image bearing member, the waveguide member having a longitudinal axis and divided along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of waveguide segments, a mass of at least one of the waveguide segments having been altered.