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