When Lawrence Feir, 39-year-old professional photographer for the aviation industry and robot hobbyist, received the invitation to participate in The Learning Channel’s Robotica series, he jumped at the chance (literally). Months after he submitted a web questionnaire, Feir was given a week to assemble a prototype combat robot and film an audition tape. As a result of his other hobby—hot air ballooning—Feir had the expertise and a few spare parts to create a robot that spurts a 2300°F flame almost 16 feet. The robot, dubbed “BotZilla,” was accepted and four months later the perfected design entered the arena.
“The competition is between two robots racing through a rugged terrain track,” explains Feir. “A robot must be designed to handle the sand and rugged inclines, to be able to move heavy objects in its way, and to defend itself from the second robot and other mechanical pests on the course. All these obstacles require a sturdy robot that is going to be durable against anything in its path.” Feir searched the Internet for potential parts suppliers and approached Lord Corporation for sponsorship of his vibration and shock control requirements. Three different sets of mounts were supplied for specific applications within the robot.
Since BotZilla runs on tracks rather than wheels, center-bonded mounts isolate the idler pulleys and bogies in the suspension system. Small sandwich mounts isolate the electronic radio boards and servos, while other sandwich mounts support and isolate the pylon where the flipping arm of the primary weapon is attached. “The mounts do their job and absorb the shock, instead of BotZilla breaking,” comments Feir. “Casual observers probably won’t even notice the mounts, but if they do, they will have no idea how important these small elements are in holding everything together. We think of the Lord mounts as the biggest little part on the robot.”
BotZilla managed to win its competition on January 16th, 2002, qualifying for the finals and coming in second overall in the final competition on January 23rd. Feir has left for a European tour, starting with BBC’s Robot Wars, Extreme Warriors (to be shown here later on
TNN). —SG
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BotZilla vs. Robotica
“The competition is between two robots racing through a rugged terrain track,” explains Feir. “A robot must be designed to handle the sand and rugged inclines, to be able to move heavy objects in its way, and to defend itself from the second robot and other mechanical pests on the course. All these obstacles require a sturdy robot that is going to be durable against anything in its path.” Feir searched the Internet for potential parts suppliers and approached Lord Corporation for sponsorship of his vibration and shock control requirements. Three different sets of mounts were supplied for specific applications within the robot. 
Since BotZilla runs on tracks rather than wheels, center-bonded mounts isolate the idler pulleys and bogies in the suspension system. Small sandwich mounts isolate the electronic radio boards and servos, while other sandwich mounts support and isolate the pylon where the flipping arm of the primary weapon is attached. “The mounts do their job and absorb the shock, instead of BotZilla breaking,” comments Feir. “Casual observers probably won’t even notice the mounts, but if they do, they will have no idea how important these small elements are in holding everything together. We think of the Lord mounts as the biggest little part on the robot.”