Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Human Advantage 60%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.4 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Also Known As: Artificial Glass Eye Maker, Bender, Blow Molder, Blower, Bottle Blower, Fiber Glass Worker, Gaffer, Glass Bender +28 more
Core Tasks
- Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
- Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
Supplemental Tasks (13)
- Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
- Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
- 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.
- Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
- Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.
- Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
- Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.
- Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.
- Repair broken scrolls by replacing them with new sections of tubing.
- Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
- Superimpose bent tubing on asbestos patterns to ensure accuracy.
- Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
- Place rubber hoses on ends of tubing and charge tubing with gas.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (4)
Tools & Equipment (36)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Zone 2
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers You are here
Zone 4
Biomass Power Plant Managers 75% match
Zone 5
Microsystems Engineers 73% match
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