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