Scheduled to open this spring, this special effects spectacular will spotlight fire effects, pyrotechnic effects, atmospheric and lighting effects to create “A World Beyond Your Imagination!”

One of the first noticed uniquenesses of the massive show is the absence of a curtain. Curtain functions for the 196’ x 115’ stage are replaced by a 90’ long, 35’ high wall of rushing liquid nitrogen. The wall of fog consumes 75 gallons of LN2 per minute.

Fire effects for the world of EFX include two dragons, one spitting a 13’ horizontal fireball and one a 25’ horizontal fireball. Other special fire effects include a 40’ long, 6’ high wall of fire and smoke, a 30’ ring of fire, a corkscrew fire, fissure fires, and as many as 120 pyrotechnic effects. Among the more standard effects are 45 smoke machines, fog machines and confetti cannons filling up the theater.

The control system requires an Allen-Bradley PLC 5/60 linking together 35 SLC-500 subsystems. Over 3500 Input/Output points are used. This is the largest and most networked application of PLCs delivered by Birket Engineering for an entertainment application.

Two Allen-Bradley PanelView displays are used as a maintenance interface to the system. One display is located in the Technical Director’s booth above the audience and one is on the stage level.

The show will require two stage managers and two pyrotechnicians. Additionally, one operator each is required for the individual fire control console, pyro control console, and atmospheric control console. The effect control system has been designed to provide for a completely automated show or a completely manually operated show.

BIRKET Engineering is pleased to be a part of EFX at the MGM Grand Hotel, Casino and Theme Park in Las Vegas.