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