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