Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers

Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers blow, mould, press, cut, trim, grind and polish glass, shape molten glass according to patterns.

Duties and tasks

• 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 such as flasks, retorts and 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 sanders 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 patterns or drawings 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 conformity with specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, callipers, magnifiers and rulers
• Regulating oven temperatures according to glass types to be processed
• Transferring patterns for individual stained glass parts from full size drawings to pattern paper, using stylus to trace drawings
• Spraying silver solution on glass to provide mirrored surface, using spray guns
• Laying out, cutting and grinding optical and other glass to specified dimensions and weight for moulding into lens blanks and for use as watch crystals