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