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