Will “Clay Artisan” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
Unknown Chance of Automation
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Job Description
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-9195.05
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Potters, Manufacturing”.
Also Known As…
- Potters, Manufacturing
- Production Potter
- Potter
- Jigger Machine Operator
- Jigger Artisan
- Glazer
- Clay Mixer
- Thrower
- Studio Potter
- Sculptor
- Press Operator
- Pottery Machine Operator
- Pot Maker
- Mold Maker
- Model Maker
- Model and Mold Maker
- Jiggerman
- Etcher
- Clay Artist
- Ceramic Artist
- Artist
Tasks for “Clay Artisan”
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
- Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
Related Technology & Tools
- Clay mixers
- Safety glasses
- Layout templates
- Insulated gloves
- Slab rollers
- Cleanup tools
- Spray booths
- Clay cutters
- Air compressors
- Pottery molds
- Triple beam balances
- Dust masks
- Texturing brushes
- Carving tools
- Air cleaners
- Scoring tools
- Ceramics kilns
- Handheld sprayers
- Precision rulers
- Hake brushes
- Carving spatulas
- Personal computers
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Gas kilns
- Kiln glasses
- Kiln gloves
- Dial calipers
- Grinding wheels
- Clay extruders
- Laptop computers
- Hole cutters
- Slip trail applicators
- Digital scales
- Pyrometers
- Fettling knives
- Drying ovens
- Clay presses
- Mold trimming knives
- Tile cutters
- Banding wheels
- Thickness gauges
- Lace tools
- Oxyprobes
- Kick wheels
- Ball mills
- Spring scales
- Pug mills
- Pottery wheels
- Raku tongs
- Dipping tongs
- Electric kilns
- Portable pottery wheels
- Inventory control software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook