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