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
- Thrower
- Studio Potter
- Sculptor
- Press Operator
- Pottery Machine Operator
- Pot Maker
- Mold Maker
- Model Maker
- Model and Mold Maker
- Jiggerman
- Etcher
- Clay Mixer
- Clay Artist
- Clay Artisan
- Ceramic Artist
- Artist
Tasks for “Clay Mixer”
- 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.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- 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.
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.
- 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.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
Related Technology & Tools
- Pottery molds
- Ceramics kilns
- Drying ovens
- Kiln glasses
- Clay cutters
- Safety glasses
- Carving tools
- Tile cutters
- Hake brushes
- Slab rollers
- Digital scales
- Portable pottery wheels
- Personal computers
- Thickness gauges
- Pottery wheels
- Pug mills
- Ball mills
- Clay extruders
- Layout templates
- Dust masks
- Gas kilns
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Cleanup tools
- Kick wheels
- Mold trimming knives
- Grinding wheels
- Dipping tongs
- Triple beam balances
- Oxyprobes
- Precision rulers
- Hole cutters
- Clay mixers
- Texturing brushes
- Banding wheels
- Scoring tools
- Air compressors
- Clay presses
- Spray booths
- Pyrometers
- Laptop computers
- Raku tongs
- Handheld sprayers
- Slip trail applicators
- Lace tools
- Insulated gloves
- Kiln gloves
- Electric kilns
- Fettling knives
- Spring scales
- Air cleaners
- Dial calipers
- Carving spatulas
- Inventory control software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook