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