Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers in Manufacturing
Overview
Glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers in manufacturing heat solid glass until it becomes molten and flexible, then carefully shape it into tubes, lenses, containers, and art pieces. They use tools like blowpipes, gas torches, molds, cutting wheels, and polishing machines to bend, stretch, cut, and smooth glass so it matches precise blueprints and measurements. They also inspect each piece with tools such as calipers, micrometers, and magnifiers, adjusting temperatures, air pressure, and machine settings to make sure every product meets strict size, thickness, and quality standards.
Did you know?
This occupation requires working with extremely high temperatures and potentially hazardous materials, demanding strict adherence to safety protocols and physical stamina.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Systems Analysis
Key Responsibilities
- Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
- Repair broken scrolls by replacing them with new sections of tubing.
- Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
- Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
- Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
- Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
- Place rubber hoses on ends of tubing and charge tubing with gas.
- Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
- Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.
- Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
- Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
- Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.
- Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
- Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
- Superimpose bent tubing on asbestos patterns to ensure accuracy.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Safety Requirements
This occupation requires working with extremely high temperatures and potentially hazardous materials, demanding strict adherence to safety protocols and physical stamina.
Specialized Skill Development
Success requires extensive hands-on training and apprenticeships to master the intricate techniques of glass manipulation, which can take years to develop.
Niche Market Employment
Job opportunities are limited but stable, primarily found in specialized glass manufacturing companies, art studios, and restoration workshops across the United States.