Will “Potters, Manufacturing” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
Unknown Chance of Automation
Sadly, the research paper did not provide any information about this occupation. Maybe have a look at our directory?
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
Also Known As…
- Production Potter
- Potter
- Jigger Machine Operator
- Jigger Artisan
- Glazer
- Clay Mixer
- Thrower
- 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 “Potters, Manufacturing”
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
- 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.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
- Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
- Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
- Teach pottery classes.
Related Technology & Tools
- Dial calipers
- Triple beam balances
- Kick wheels
- Clay cutters
- Clay presses
- Dust masks
- Portable pottery wheels
- Thickness gauges
- Pyrometers
- Air cleaners
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Electric kilns
- Pottery molds
- Slip trail applicators
- Personal computers
- Insulated gloves
- Handheld sprayers
- Spring scales
- Grinding wheels
- Lace tools
- Pottery wheels
- Kiln gloves
- Digital scales
- Mold trimming knives
- Carving spatulas
- Drying ovens
- Slab rollers
- Hole cutters
- Hake brushes
- Layout templates
- Kiln glasses
- Scoring tools
- Clay mixers
- Pug mills
- Fettling knives
- Gas kilns
- Air compressors
- Ceramics kilns
- Laptop computers
- Ball mills
- Tile cutters
- Carving tools
- Banding wheels
- Safety glasses
- Precision rulers
- Oxyprobes
- Raku tongs
- Spray booths
- Cleanup tools
- Texturing brushes
- Clay extruders
- Dipping tongs
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory control software