A NIFS contract variation was executed to cover the extra work involved in preparing our own NIFS control system design, using the NIRI design as a guide, rather then trying to copy NIRI design with some changes.

2.1 Staffing

The search for competent mechanical design staff continues. The leads referred to in the January report have unfortunately drawn blanks. We hope to readvertise next month.

An electronics technical officer vacancy still exists. An ex-member of RSAA staff will fill the temporary position required for the fabrication of the NIFS control system on a casual basis.

Both electronic and mechanical recent vacancies have attracted the attention of staff members of non-Australian astronomical organizations. The low exchange rate of the Australian dollar, combined with the rather unattractive ANU salary scales, has resulted in our inability to convert the shown interest into appointments. On a national scale, we are disadvantaged by the reluctance of high-tech personnel to move from Sydney or Melbourne to Canberra.

2.2 Progress

Various aspects of the optical design continue to be checked: ghosting, scattered light, distortion, and error budgets. The integration of the various spectrograph assembly designs in the overall mechanical design is continuing. All this is carried out as part of the write-up effort for the CDR documentation.

The mechanical workshop continues to fabricate components for the NIRI duplication. The work allocation for the parts fabrication phase has been exhausted, and the situation has been reviewed. The communication failure which led to the late discovery of the situation has been identified and steps have been taken to avoid recurrence. The delay in CDR will allow us to make up the estimated 1500 hrs overspend without impacting on the spectrograph fabrication. Realized savings on fixed costs will partially cover the cost of the labour overrun, the remainder is expected to be covered by savings on further NIRI duplication work, or the contingency amount associated with this phase of the work.

The problem with poor alignment of the mounting pads of the integration frame will be rectified by, and at the expense of, the subcontractor.

Work is continuing on developing our own schematics and PCB layouts for most of the control system.

Most software effort has been devoted to producing CDR documentation. A teleconference with Gemini software developers has left us confused about what capabilities are expected of the NIFS Detector Control software. A speedy resolution of the issues raised is required.

The design of the revised detector mounting board has been completed. A mock-up of the detector housing was constructed to check the practicability of assembly.

2.3 Schedule

The schedule will undergo thorough revision in preparation for CDR.

3 Technical Progress

3.1 Completed Tasks

All spectrograph design tasks have been closed at the end of the previous reporting period.

Task WBS	hrs	Finish Date	Title	Deliverables
2.2.2	26	02 Mar 01	Refine FPRD	FPRD
2.3.6	6	02 Mar 01	Draft Spares List	Draft Spares List
2.3.3	6	05 Feb 01	Verification and Commissioning Plan	V&C Plan
2.3.5	21	02 Mar 01	Tables of Contents for Manuals (1)	Users Manual

Notes:

This time is for the Users Manual, other staff members have not reported their efforts on the manuals separate from the CDR documentation work.

3.2 Tasks in Progress

2.1.1 NIFS Critical Design - Project Management

A continuing task. JvH: 50.25 hrs.

2.1.6 PS Miscellaneous

A continuing task to record various activities. 21 hrs.

2.2.2 Science Case

PJM: 37 hrs.

2.3.1 Acceptance Test Plan

JvH: 10 hrs.

2.3.8 Produce CDR Documentation

All: 839.75 hrs.

2.6.2.1 Detector Mount Board Wiring Layout

WG: 20.5 hrs.

2.6.2.4 Detector Flex Circuit Layout

WG: 7.5 hrs.

4.1.1 Cryostat and OIWFS Duplication – Project Management

A continuing task. JvH: 12.75 hrs.

4.2.1 Cryostat and OIWFS Duplication – Design and Supervision

A continuing task. CV and others: 94 hrs.

4.2.2 Cryostat and OIWFS Duplication – Parts Fabrication

Workshop effort 517 hrs this period.

4.3.1 Control System – Design and Supervision

Purchasing and design. MID: 21 hrs.

3.3 Documents Issued

Document ID	Rev	Date	Title
SDN0003.01	11	8 Feb 01	Operational Concept Definition Document
SDN0003.02	8	19 Feb 01	Functional and Performance Requirements Document
SDN0004.13	1	19 Feb 01	Draft Spares List

4 Schedule Progress

4.1 Updated Schedule

The current schedule is the schedule included in the “NIFS Revised Costing”. A schedule revised for the expected delivery dates of the detectors and the late start on cryostat and OIWFS duplication was developed. It also takes into account the proposed delayed CDR date of 22 February 2001. This revised schedule was submitted during September 2000. The schedule will be revised again and the new schedule will be presented in the CDR documentation.

4.2 Project Statistics

17 people have contributed to the NIFS project during this period. They worked a total of 1637 hours, bringing the total for the project to 10,506 hrs, which represents approximately 34.6% of the total number of hours in the current project plan. 89.4% of the number of hours allocated for the critical design study have been used and 118% of those for the mechanical fabrication and supervision of the Cryostat and OIWFS Duplication.

4.3 Milestones

Listed below are the milestones defined in the NIFS contract. Milestone 3, AURA approval of Final OCDD and FPRD has been postponed to the CDR date, which is now set for 19-20 April 2001.

Event	Date	Status
(1)Contract fully signed	August 2000	Completed
(2) Placement of order for vacuum jacket forging	August 2000	Completed
(3) AURA approval of Final FPRD and OCDD	5 December 2000	To be submitted with CDR documentation
(4) AURA approval of Detailed Design Documentation after CDR	January 2001	CDR now April 2001
(5) Start of first Cryostat and OIWFS cooldown	14 May 2001
(6) Completion of Cryostat and OIWFS Duplication (As task is described in Conceptual Design Documentation)	4 October 2001
(7) Completion of Spectrograph Construction (As task is described in Conceptual Design Documentation)	22 March 2002
(8) Authorization to ship instrument given by AURA	19 July 2002
(9) Completion of all Work and Final Acceptance given by AURA	1 October 2002

5 Financial Progress

The exchange rate used is the rate applicable to a particular transaction, or the rate on the last day of the reporting period. On 2 February 2001 the rate was 0.526.

5.1 Income

No income was gained during the reporting period.

5.2 Outgoings

5.2.1 Labour

The NIFS account was charged for 1556 hrs of work for the reporting period. This is the total number of hours (1637) minus the hours for the Project Scientist (81). The total charge is US$54,460 (A$103,536)

5.2.2 Other Costs

5.2.2.1 Expenditure

The following expenditure was incurred during the reporting period.

4.2.2.8 NIRI Duplication – Floating Shield Fabrication

Polished stainless steel US$ 1,924 A$ 3,627

4.2.1.1 NIRI Duplication – Vacuum Jacket Machining

End plates US$ 3,293 A$ 6,260

4.6 NIRI Duplication – Consumables

Flat Bar US$ 12 A$ 22

Titanium sheet US$ 76 A$ 144

Blades, bi-metal US$ 162 A$ 308

Slotdrills US$ 122 A$ 232

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total US$ 5,589 A$10,593

5.2.2.2 Commitments

The ANU accounting system also includes ‘commitments’, where a purchase order has been raised, but goods or services have not yet been delivered, invoiced and paid. New commitments are listed here, but not included in the financial status report.

4.2.2.26 NIRI Duplication – Miscellaneous Purchased Items

Aluminium US$ 1,599 A$ 3,039

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total US$ 1,599 A$ 3,039

5.3 Financial Status

Date	Description	Income (US$)	Income (A$)	Outgoings (US$)	Outgoings (A$)
29 Jul 00	Labour			37,940	64,524
01 Sep 00	Labour			48,125	83,696
01 Sep 00	Other Costs			1,607	2,773
29 Sep 00	Labour			44,205	82,626
29 Sep 00	Other Costs			7,748	14,483
27 Oct 00	Labour			35,525	68,056
27 Oct 00	Other Costs			12,014	23,015
01 Dec 00	Labour			44,100	83,523
01 Dec 00	Other Costs			8,026	15,200
29 Dec 00	Labour			26,950	48,559
29 Dec 00	Other Costs			42	76
02 Feb 01	Labour			56,350	101,715
02 Feb 01	Other Costs			27,474	49,594
02 Feb 01	Payments 1 & 2	800,000	1,437,566
02 Mar 01	Labour			54,460	103,536
02 Mar 01	Other Costs			5,589	10,593
02 Mar 01	totals	800,000	1,437,566	410,155	751,969
02 Mar 01	Balance	389,845	685,597

6 Problem Areas

6.1 Technical Problems

Project progress is impeded by the unavailability of as-built information on NIRI and its control software. Measures are in place to minimise delays.

RSAA is awaiting clarification of the functionality expected of the NIFS software, after dicussion at a telecon caused confusion on this subject.

6.2 Scheduling Problems

The purchase and delivery of items on the critical path of the project may be delayed because of the delayed execution of the NIFS contract and other delays caused by it.

6.3 Financial Problems

There are no financial problems.

7 Action Items

The following Action Items are outstanding.

No.	Action	Who	Status
4	Negotiate delivery schedule for As Built NIRI drawings with IfA	RAN	Mechanical drawings received.
9	Send 7 cryo stepper motors to ANU	RAN	1 received