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