Engraving adds meaning and emphasis to objects of value. But what things have enough value that the owner wants to add something special? Traditionally, engraving is found on jewelry, fine knives and firearms, writing instruments and the like. But each new generation makes their own list of value.

Art student Ashton Ludden recently engraved her cellular phone and has now engraved her iPod music player. These are two technical objects that she enjoys and depends on daily, so personalizing each one is a logical choice. Something worth mentioning is how she engraved her iPod. It's a hard drive model, not the flash memory type, so vibration and shock is more of a concern.

Yet Ashton engraved the stainless steel back plate using a GRS GraverMax SC pneumatic handpiece WHILE she listened to music on the same iPod. She said it never skipped a beat! This demonstrates how refined, controllable and smooth these latest GRS impact handpieces are. The iPod was held in an engraving vise using a self-hinging fixture made with the new Thermo-Loc Form Block. This allowed firm clamping without worry or damage to this electronic device.