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