Name: Tiffany King
Job Title: Specialty Trades Technician
Joined NWI: January 2024
Years in Nonwovens/Materials Science/Textiles: 1
Favorite Nonwoven/Something Related to Nonwovens: VB Set and Spunbond
The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is excited to welcome Tiffany King, who joined the NWI team as a specialty trades technician in January 2024 on a temporary basis and was recently promoted to full-time status. Tiffany earned an associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Essex County College in New Jersey and has served in several lab-related positions since moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, in June 2021.
Tiffany’s NWI experience began as a process technician in the Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab, before moving into the role of specialty trades technician in the Fiber Spinning Lab in support of a long-term project on NWI’s VB Set fiber spinning line.
“I find my current engagement in this large-scale project to be quite exhilarating, especially considering the practical application of extruder machinery knowledge I acquired during my college coursework. I am always interested in participating in the process of manufacturing items we use in our daily life.”
“Tiffany has brought diligence and enthusiasm as a new employee at the institute,” said Tom Daugherty, deputy operations director at NWI. “We look forward to seeing Tiffany grow as a technical specialist and serving as a key contributor on our technical team.”
What was your experience leading up to your joining NWI?
While attending Essex County College, I served as a clerical assistant in the financial aid office, assisting students with their financial aid needs prior to transferring to the technology department as a lab assistant. My responsibilities as an assistant laboratory technician included providing technical support to students and faculty in the use and maintenance of equipment, including the Tormach milling machine, MakerBot 3D printer, and the Universal Laser System.
Subsequent to my family’s move to Raleigh, I began my work in 3D technologies. I have gained hands-on experience in prototype development using Carbon, Polyjet, and SLA 3D printers during my time as an engineer technician I at BD Technologies and as a bench technician at Zebra Technologies. In these roles, I was principally involved in the post-production phase of part printing. The process includes machine maintenance, resin cassette preparation for the printer, post-printing cleaning, support sanding and vapor honing to achieve a matte finish, depending on the client’s request. I have contributed to large-scale projects, specifically in the manufacturing of parts for medical equipment and industrial facilities.
What kind of work have you done/do you do at NWI? What do you find exciting/interesting about your work at NWI?
My initial role at NWI was as a process technician in the Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab, where my responsibilities primarily involved the testing of material samples prior to my assignment to the VB Set fiber spinning line.
My duties on the VB Set line include the startup and string up of the machinery, the testing of fiber samples and performing routine maintenance.
I find my current engagement in this large-scale project to be quite exhilarating, especially considering the practical application of extruder machinery knowledge I acquired during my college coursework. I am always interested in participating in the process of manufacturing items we use in our daily life.
I am able to observe how slight alterations, such as variations in speed, affect the fiber quality. The troubleshooting process for product issues allows me to see all the tiny components inside the machine, providing insights into its operation and facilitating effective problem solving. While the process of problem solving may present unforeseen challenges, the intellectual stimulation it provides is quite fulfilling and enhances my comprehension of the machine.
Why did you choose what you chose in the “Favorite Nonwoven/Something Related to Nonwovens” item above?
The spunbond machine is quite remarkable. It produces so many fabrics that we use daily, and observing its production is truly impressive.
The VB Set fiber spinning line is interesting due to its operational mechanism and how subtle changes can influence the process and end product. Even a small modification to the machine’s components can result in a substantial change to its operational efficiency. Getting to know the machine’s functional characteristics and the fiber’s application has been really interesting, and I look forward to continuing to learn about the fiber spinning process.
When you are not working at NWI, what are your personal interests, hobbies … any activities you enjoy during your free time?
During my leisure time, I enjoy reading romance novels and watching anime, K-dramas (Korean dramas), C-dramas (Chinese dramas), and J-dramas (Japanese dramas). I also enjoy painting scenic landscapes and drawing self-portraits.
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