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
- 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 “Clay Mixer”
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- 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.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
- 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.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
Related Technology & Tools
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Dial calipers
- Carving tools
- Insulated gloves
- Drying ovens
- Slab rollers
- Clay presses
- Precision rulers
- Pottery wheels
- Clay cutters
- Spring scales
- Oxyprobes
- Pottery molds
- Hake brushes
- Personal computers
- Triple beam balances
- Tile cutters
- Digital scales
- Layout templates
- Clay extruders
- Kiln glasses
- Dust masks
- Spray booths
- Clay mixers
- Air cleaners
- Kiln gloves
- Slip trail applicators
- Cleanup tools
- Dipping tongs
- Texturing brushes
- Grinding wheels
- Carving spatulas
- Pyrometers
- Electric kilns
- Gas kilns
- Air compressors
- Handheld sprayers
- Portable pottery wheels
- Ceramics kilns
- Scoring tools
- Raku tongs
- Banding wheels
- Lace tools
- Fettling knives
- Thickness gauges
- Safety glasses
- Pug mills
- Kick wheels
- Ball mills
- Mold trimming knives
- Laptop computers
- Hole cutters
- Inventory control software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel