Firing Handcrafted Ceramic Products

TEACHING UNIT 1. FIRING PROCESSES FOR HANDCRAFTED POTTERY Firing processes for ceramic products and the stages of a firing cycle. – Firing ceramic products – Physical processes inside the kiln. – Chemical processes inside the kiln. Kilns and facilities for firing artisanal products and their fuels. – Types of kilns: – Direct-fire kilns. – Indirect-fire kilns. – Fuels, burners, and electric heating elements for kilns. – Gas and diesel kilns. – Electric kilns. Handling of materials for kiln loading. – Trays and supports for low- and high-temperature firing. – Protection of components. TEACHING UNIT 2. PROGRAMMING AND OPERATION OF REGULATION, SAFETY, AND CONTROL ELEMENTS IN THE FIRING PROCESSES OF HANDCRAFTED POTTERY PRODUCTS Operation of regulation, safety, and control elements. Programming, startup, monitoring, and shutdown of a kiln. – Programming the temperature curve. – Starting the kiln. – Monitoring temperature curves. – Visual monitoring using pyrometric cones. – Control via an automatic programmer. – Shutdown and cooling TEACHING UNIT 3. LOADING AND UNLOADING IN THE FIRING PROCESS OF HANDCRAFTED POTTERY PRODUCTS, STORAGE, AND DEFECT CONTROL Loading and unloading kilns, including kiln opening and cooling times. – Loading the kiln – Distributing the load. Unloading the kiln – Checking the temperature. Storage of unglazed and fired products. – Distribution and identification of unglazed pieces. – Storage and identification of bisque-fired pieces Identification of defects attributable to firing in artisanal ceramic products. – Breakage due to an incorrect temperature curve – Breakage due to improper drying. Defects caused by insufficient temperature. Defects caused by excessive temperature. Defects caused by improper kiln loading. TEACHING UNIT 4. SELECTION AND PACKAGING OF HANDCRAFTED CERAMIC PRODUCTS Quality control procedures for handcrafted ceramic pieces and selection criteria. – Inspection for breakage and surface finish. Mechanical finishing procedures. – Sanding and polishing. Packaging procedures for artisanal ceramics. – Regulations governing the packaging of products intended for food use. – Packaging processes to ensure breakage-free transport. TEACHING UNIT 5. CLEANING, MAINTENANCE, AND SAFETY OPERATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND FACILITIES IN THE FIRING AND PACKAGING PROCESSES OF HANDCRAFTED POTTERY PIECES Criteria for organizing the work area Quality criteria – Safety criteria Cleaning criteria for materials, facilities, and auxiliary equipment – Quality criteria – Safety criteria Maintenance Criteria for Materials, Facilities, and Auxiliary Equipment in the Firing Processes of Artisanal Pottery Products. – Quality Criteria – Safety Criteria Work Area Organization Procedures. Cleaning Procedures: Processes, Tools, and Products Maintenance Procedures: Processes, Tools, and Products. Safety and Environmental Protection Regulations Regarding the Firing and Packaging of Handcrafted Pottery Pieces. Personal and Collective Protective Measures and Equipment. Waste Management.