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Machining and Technical Services

Jonathan Simpson

Machine Shop | MTS

Jonathan Simpson

JONATHAN SIMPSON is a Lab Technologist and Precision Machinist in the Machining and Technical Services' Machine Shop. He often travels to remote locations on an as-needed basis with the Physics department and the Sounding Rocket program; those locations typically include the loading of hazardous materials into payloads designed and evaluated in conjunction with NASA.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

A.S. Machine Tool Technology
Tri-County Technical College

PROJECTS

ARYCLIC WELLS: Helped to develop and machine acrylic wells for Dr. Anker, which were used as implants to be measured under X-ray to assess bone growth. - Jeff Anker, Bioengineering

POCKET PROGRAM PAYLOAD: Developed and manufactured three test payloads for the Swedish sounding rocket program in conjunction with Dr. Larsen. These payloads included mixing chemicals to perform extremely high heat vaporization of barium in upper atmospheric sounding rocket research. These payloads will be used during the 2023 sounding rocket campaigns. - Dr. Miguel Larsen, Physics and Astronomy

KIDNEY BREATH TEST RESEARCH: Machined and helped design an improved ammonia breath test with Dr. Latour. This was an improvement over a previous version produced in 2021, which helped with the early detection of kidney disease. Improvements included but were not limited to speed of manufacturing and ease of assembly. Dr. Robert Latour, Bioengineering

ROCKET LAUNCH PAYLOADS: Worked with Lamar Durham to machine and pressure test six TMA payloads, which will be used over the course of 2023-24. This project was requested by Dr. Larsen from Physics and will cover sounding rocket launches named VORTEX, TOMEX, and AWESOME. Lamar Durham, Physics

ROLLER ASSEMBLY: Machined and assembled an MTS-designed roller assembly for Dr. Nancy Birkner. This device will be used in her lab to reshape Platinum crucibles. Previously, when the crucibles needed to be reshaped, she would have to drop them by MTS. Now, she has less downtime, which increases her productivity. Dr. Nancy Birkner, Materials Science and Engineering

Connect

Freeman Hall exteriorLab Technologist
Machining and Technical Services
Precision Machinist
Machine Shop

Phone: 864-656-5546
Email: rasimp@clemson.edu

SKILLS

  • Tool and Die Making, jigs and fixtures design
  • Experience with precision manual machining equipment, with the ability to hold tolerances within .0002”
  • Skilled in the programming and operation of CNC lathe, CNC mill, manual lathe, surface grinder, heat-treating furnaces, and EDM
  • Consults with faculty and students in design changes and machining practices
  • Design part models using AutoCAD, Mastercam and SolidWorks
  • Works with NASA with regards to modeling and manufacture of Sounding Rocket payloads required by atmospheric physics professors at Clemson University and other research institutions
  • Is able to weld using techniques such as MIG & TIG welding

Services

The services are available to internal and external clients, including researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and industry partners. We work closely with clients to understand their specific needs and requirements and provide customized solutions to meet the customer's budget and time frame.

Request Services
  • Machine Shop
  • Fabrication Shop
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Electronics Shop