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