Sega World Sydney was constructed in 1996 in Sydney's Darling Harbour area. Oracle was
contracted to design and install a laser system providing laser effects in three different
areas of the complex. This was accomplished by using a 10W full colour laser coupled to
three Oracle Superscan heads by optical fibre. The Superscan heads were positioned in the
areas where the laser effects were required and long fibre optic cable runs deliver the
laser light to the units from the laser located in a back room.
Outdoor wall laser projections from the pole
in the middle of the lake
Installation
of the pole for the lake area fibre optic scan head
This installation was complicated by the fact that two of the scan heads were to be
mounted in extremely difficult locations, One was to be located on top of a 8m high pole in
the middle of a 1m deep lake outside Sega World. This was to project on to a large exterior
wall.
The other was located in the top of a 50m high glass cone above the entrance to Sega
World. This is accessible only by a cable lift system. This scan head was to project beams
down from the top into the Darling Harbour area and night sky. The third scan head was
mounted in the Future World area inside the building and was to run especially programmed
shows with video projection.
The top of the blue cone also housed another fibre optic scan head
Installation of the cone scan head was a fun process
Custom designed weather proof scan heads were designed and installed in the locations
with much difficulty and to an extremely tight deadline. Extensive cable and optical fibre
runs were also installed including a 50m underwater conduit to the laser pole in the
lake.
Three custom designed weather proof scan heads under construction
The 10W full colour laser under construction
Laying out the fibre scan head's optics
The finished product
The entire system was to be run automatically including starting and stopping the laser
each day and scheduling the correct shows at the correct times. The other effects in the
Sega park were controlled by a Dataton show control system from which the Oracle 3D
Laser Controller received it's show cues.
Sega World show controller triggered by a Dataton Show control system
The Oracle Controller then commenced
the correct show and routed the laser beam to the correct fibre optic. A customized control
and indicator panel was manufactured to monitor and test the system components.
The system run automatically very well after minor teething problems were sorted out. A
10 minute graphic and beam show with audio was created for the outside wall. The scan head
on top of the pole projected this bright and crisp for all passers by to see attracting
people to Sega World.
Laser beam mirror effects inside Sega World in the Future World area
The scan heads were not much fun to service because of their locations, but fortunately, they only
need to be serviced every 6 months due to their rugged sealed design.