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 jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
- Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
- 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.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
Related Technology & Tools
- Spray booths
- Clay mixers
- Insulated gloves
- Hole cutters
- Spring scales
- Fettling knives
- Digital scales
- Clay extruders
- Kiln glasses
- Air cleaners
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Lace tools
- Handheld sprayers
- Portable pottery wheels
- Grinding wheels
- Precision rulers
- Banding wheels
- Pottery wheels
- Air compressors
- Pottery molds
- Texturing brushes
- Laptop computers
- Slip trail applicators
- Layout templates
- Ball mills
- Gas kilns
- Pyrometers
- Triple beam balances
- Safety glasses
- Tile cutters
- Cleanup tools
- Mold trimming knives
- Pug mills
- Oxyprobes
- Kick wheels
- Dipping tongs
- Clay cutters
- Ceramics kilns
- Thickness gauges
- Scoring tools
- Carving tools
- Dust masks
- Dial calipers
- Kiln gloves
- Electric kilns
- Drying ovens
- Raku tongs
- Clay presses
- Slab rollers
- Personal computers
- Carving spatulas
- Hake brushes
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory control software
- Microsoft Outlook