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