Laser Lakes boosts output with OneLaser Hydra 16

By AI, Created 5:46 AM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – OneLaser highlighted Laser Lakes, a Minnesota engraving business, as a customer success story after the shop switched to the Hydra 16 and sharply improved speed, precision and revenue. The case points to growing demand for production-ready laser systems that can help small businesses scale without losing quality.

Why it matters: - Laser Lakes used the OneLaser Hydra 16 to cut production time, improve engraving detail and support faster business growth. - The case underscores a broader shift toward laser systems that can handle both creative custom work and higher-volume production. - Small businesses in personalized products, retail gifting and signage are increasingly looking for machines that can scale with demand.

What happened: - OneLaser shared the success story of Laser Lakes, a Minnesota-based laser engraving business founded by maker and entrepreneur Nate Dittmar. - Laser Lakes moved from a smaller 130W laser system from another manufacturer to the OneLaser Hydra 16. - Dittmar said the switch improved output, workflow and income. - Dittmar said the company now takes about two days to make the same amount of product that previously took about a week. - Dittmar said Laser Lakes doubled revenue last year and is on track to at least double again this year.

The details: - Laser Lakes makes custom laser-engraved products inspired by Minnesota culture, local identity and handcrafted design. - The business handles customer communication, wholesale orders and custom engraving projects for local retailers and gift shops. - Lotus Lakes Gifts places repeat orders for Minnesota-themed ornaments and custom products made on the Hydra 16. - Before the upgrade, the previous laser setup struggled with consistency and reliability and limited engraving detail. - Dittmar said the Hydra 16 delivers finer engraving detail and cleaner cutting than the prior machine. - The Hydra 16 combines a 150W CO₂ glass tube with a 38W RF metal tube. - The dual-laser setup lets users switch between high-speed cutting and ultra-fine engraving in one machine. - The system has a 62.99-inch by 39.37-inch working area with pass-through functionality. - The Hydra 16 also includes motorized autofocus, integrated air assist, LightBurn compatibility and a 5MP alignment camera. - Laser Lakes uses the machine for wood, acrylic, layered products, ornaments, signage and custom gift items. - Dittmar said the machine’s stability and build quality have been especially important during long production runs. - Dittmar said OneLaser’s support team provided immediate help during onboarding and production setup. - Laser Lakes later bought a second OneLaser system as operations expanded. - OneLaser is a USA-based company that makes laser engraving and cutting machines for makers, small businesses, educators and professional workshops.

Between the lines: - The story shows how equipment choice can affect not just quality, but turnaround times, customer capacity and revenue growth. - The dual-laser design appears to be a key differentiator for businesses that need both production speed and fine-detail work. - OneLaser’s willingness to test Dittmar’s production file likely helped build trust during a purchase decision that carried operational risk. - The company is also leaning on education, support programs and workflow tutorials to help users adopt the machines faster.

What’s next: - Laser Lakes plans to keep using the Hydra 16 as it scales production. - Dittmar said a new user was able to learn the system quickly after one was placed in their hands. - OneLaser is continuing to expand educational resources, customer support programs and maker-focused content. - The broader market for customized products and small-batch manufacturing is likely to keep pushing demand for production-capable laser systems.

The bottom line: - For Laser Lakes, the Hydra 16 was not just a machine upgrade. It became a growth tool that improved speed, precision and capacity at the same time.