Armour System

Ruf Ruf Dougal has a mixture of armour. The type and position being determined the potential method of attack, the proximity to delicate equipment and the need for good radio reception.

General

Ruf Ruf Dougal's whole body is sprung loaded to the chassis using stacks of engine valve springs inside steel tubes. This reduces the risk of being flipped by high speed flippers because the energy is dissipated over a longer time period, reducing the impulse loading. It also allows him to have a very low ground clearance without lifting his central drive wheels off the ground on small inclines.

Underbelly

The underbelly is made from 10mm thick plywood. Given that is is clear of the floor by 225mm then the only protection deemed necessary was fire resistance. (A furry dog is always likely to end up over the flame pit). This was achieved by using 2 layer corrugated aluminium foil used on some vehicle floors as protection from hot catalysts.

Side Skirts

The side skirts need to give protection from spinning weapons and spikes, they also have to withstand impacts with the floor, walls and other robots. In order to get a good strength to weight ratio without resorting to exotic materials I decided to use a cheap form of rigidised steel, namely an old house radiator. This was cut open and the 420 spot welds drilled out to give 1.5mm thick corrugated steel sheet that was very stiff in one direction but easily bent in the other to give Ruf Ruf Dougal his shape.

Top Cover

The top needs to withstand axe blows but it also has to allow radio signals to pass through, assuming an internal aerial is being used. Working on the dissipating energy over a long period of time theory again, I decided to use a very flexible top cover made from an old blue polyethylene barrel. This has already proved itself having taken several blows from 'Shunt' without damage. In order to prevent fire damage the barrel is covered in a fire blanket stuck on just under the fur.

Head

His head is made from two motorcycle helmets stripped out, riveted together and cut to shape with an angle grinder. The head was fastened to the top cover using some small aluminium brackets and pop rivets. The head has also seen 'Shunt' damage and did not fair as well as the plastic barrel though he still didn't manage to pierce it.

Radiator, Barrel & Helmet,prior to paint.	1 of 4 Spring Packs