Abi Basham – Project Engineer for SANDALS-2

Abi joined the ISIS Design Division on the graduate scheme in 2017, after finishing her Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Southampton. After her project rotations as part of the scheme, she joined the instrument design group, working on the interim SANDALS and ALF front end upgrade and then the IMAT collimators project.

On returning from maternity leave, Abi began working full time on SANDALS-2 during its definition stage. A year later and the project has recently celebrated its implementation readiness review, clearing the way for the detailed design work to begin.

As well as her work on SANDALS-2, Abi is also involved in some technical design for this and other projects. “I like having a zoomed-out view of the whole project and seeing how it all fits together,” Abi explains. “Having this context helps when working on the detailed designs.”

There is a lot of infrastructure for other instruments around SANDALS, and it’s important to understand what is where when designing how the upgrade will sit in the space. Therefore, a key next step is a survey of the area, and detailed measurements of the size of the space. This will improve the CAD model and inform the pre-build, which is planned to take place towards the end of 2027.

The installation of the instrument will begin in mid-2028, and require a new mezzanine area to be built, to accommodate the larger blockhouse needed for the detectors. “Our main design challenge is fitting it all in!” says Abi.

The same applies to Abi outside of work – with a toddler, fitting other activities in is a challenge! “I just about find time to walk our dog, and for some occasional knitting.”