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”
- 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.
- Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Raise and shape clay into wares such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
Related Technology & Tools
- Air compressors
- Clay extruders
- Insulated gloves
- Pyrometers
- Drying ovens
- Slab rollers
- Mold trimming knives
- Portable pottery wheels
- Precision rulers
- Pottery wheels
- Spring scales
- Layout templates
- Clay presses
- Pug mills
- Clay mixers
- Tile cutters
- Conveyor feeding systems
- Slip trail applicators
- Gas kilns
- Kick wheels
- Scoring tools
- Ball mills
- Cleanup tools
- Spray booths
- Ceramics kilns
- Personal computers
- Dial calipers
- Clay cutters
- Carving tools
- Lace tools
- Grinding wheels
- Triple beam balances
- Kiln gloves
- Fettling knives
- Electric kilns
- Laptop computers
- Dust masks
- Dipping tongs
- Safety glasses
- Handheld sprayers
- Air cleaners
- Hake brushes
- Hole cutters
- Thickness gauges
- Kiln glasses
- Texturing brushes
- Digital scales
- Oxyprobes
- Raku tongs
- Carving spatulas
- Pottery molds
- Banding wheels
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory control software