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