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