types of pottery material
Types of clays and mud and their appearance, properties, reaction to fire, etc.
Hand brick moulders create unique bricks, pipes, and other heat-resistant products using hand moulding tools. They create moulds according to specifications, clean and oil them, insert and remove the mixture from the mould. Then, they let the bricks dry in kiln before finishing and smoothing the end products.
Competences and skills
28 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
1 competencequality standards
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
Essential skills and competences 8 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceremove mixture excess
Remove the extra mixture on top of the mould by using a wire.
Sector-specific
4 competencesadjust clay burning level
Adjust the temperature of clay baking or burning by operating the valves and the dampers in order to allow specific amounts of gas or oil to be burned.
maintain moulds
Maintain, repair and clean moulds and mould parts, e.g. by smoothening out imperfections on the surface. Use water, grease or oil to wash and scrape the moulds by hand.
monitor end-product drying process
Let the end-products to cool and dry during the correct amount of time. If necessary, hasten the drying process using kilns or delay it by allowing water to humidify the products.
prevent casting adhesion
Prevent the casting sticking to the moulds by brushing the mould with oil, hot wax or graphite solution, according to the specification of each casting components.
Cross-sector
3 competencesextract products from moulds
Remove finished products from moulds and examine them in detail for anomalies.
fill moulds
Fill up moulds with appropriate materials and ingredient mixes.
select mould types
Select the appropriate type and size of mould based on the operation.
Optional knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competencevarious types of sand
Types of sand materials and their composition, physical characteristics, use cases and possible issues.
Cross-sector
1 competencesanding techniques
The various sanding techniques (such as gang sanding), as well as the different sanding papers necessary for which surface.
Optional skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencestamp refractory products
Stamp products with the specified pattern or code prior to curing using handtools.
Sector-specific
6 competencesassemble moulds
Assemble iron moulds using handtools to hoist and bolt sections.
form moulding mixture
Form the moulding mixture adding specified amounts of materials, such as sand, clay, silica mud or plastic pellets, according to a fixed recipe, set up the controller of the melting tanks and monitor the melting process.
handle different pottery materials
Treat different recipes of clay and mud according to the genre (such as china) or the expected strength, look, colour, tradition or innovation in the creative process.
load heavy items on pallets
Use lifting equipment and machines to stack weighty products such as stone slabs or bricks on portable platforms so that they can be stored and moved.
maintain furnace temperature
Monitor and govern the pyrometer to control the furnace temperature.
operate furnace
Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting, to produce specified types of steel, or to finish other materials such as cokes. Set furnace controls to regulate temperatures and heating time.
Cross-sector
9 competencescheck quality of raw materials
Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
construct moulds
Construct moulds for the casting of objects in plaster, clay, glass, plastic or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.
ensure mould uniformity
Oversee uniformity of moulds. Use casting equipment and tools such as hand press.
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
match product moulds
Changing moulds to match product specification. Run test samples and check for proper specifications.
perform product testing
Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
repair mould defects
Repair mould malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, mould boxes and patterns.
use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.