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