Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers blow, mould, press, cut, trim, grind and polish glass, and shape molten glass according to patterns.
Tasks include -
heating glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens, and rotating glass to heat it uniformly;
blowing and bending glass tubing into specified shapes to form scientific apparatus like flasks, retorts, pipettes;
grinding and polishing glass objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing and smoothening and polishing rough edges, using belt sander or polishing wheels;
examining glass stock and finished products and marking or discarding items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes;
reading work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut;
observing gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments as necessary;
positioning pattern or drawing on glass, measuring dimensions, and marking cutting lines, using glass cutting tools and cutting glass along marked outlines or around pattern;.
setting up, operating and adjusting computerized or robotic glass cutting equipment;
inspecting, weighing, and measuring products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, callipers, magnifiers, and rulers;
regulating oven temperatures according to glass types to be processed;
transferring pattern for individual stained glass parts from full size drawing to pattern paper, using stylus to trace drawings;
spraying silver solution on glass to provide
mirrored surface, using spray gun;