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Laboratory Glassblower
UCI Series Concepts
Class Specifications - G.40
Principal Laboratory Glassblower - 8311
Senior Laboratory Glassblower - 8312
Laboratory Glassblower - 8313
Laboratory Glassblower Trainee - 8314
February, 1976
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SERIES CONCEPT
Laboratory Glassblowers perform or supervise the fabrication of a wide
variety of glasswares from blueprints and drawings; and perform other
related duties as required. Typically, incumbents have knowledge of
the characteristics of glass, skill in the manipulation of glass, and
the ability to operate machine tools.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Principal Laboratory Glassblower
Under general direction, incumbents manage a glassblowing shop and make
original contributions to research techniques by designing, developing
and constructing intricate scientific glass apparatus. Tasks which are
most difficult are defined as those having a requirement for (1) the
design of custom research apparatus, (2) precise dimensions of its
parts, (3) fabrication of the parts and their subsequent assembly into
the completed piece of apparatus, and (4) full knowledge of chemical
silvering or gold plating of glass and vacuum-jacketed apparatus.
Typically, incumbents determine costs and priorities of work orders,
requisition necessary supplies and equipment, recommend the purchase of
major glassblowing equipment, and may supervise a staff of one or more
Glassblowers or Trainees. In addition, incumbents act as consultants on
glassblowing to scientists and students; instruct faculty and students
in attaining glassblowing skills; prepare and write operating
instructions for newly developed apparatus; and may publish the results
of research. Incumbents are required to handle all facets or
requirements of the trade.
The class of Principal Laboratory Glassblower is distinguished from the
class of Senior Laboratory Glassblower in that incumbents manage the
operation of a glassblowing shop and make original contributions to
the design of research apparatus (including more assignments requiring
particularly difficult and/or unique design efforts on a more
independent basis).
Senior Laboratory Glassblower
Under direction, incumbents design and fabricate unusually complicated
and intricate apparatus such as that described in the Principal
Laboratory Glassblower Class Concept, requiring glassblowing knowledge
and skill above and beyond those required at the operational level.
Examples of such knowledge and skill are: proficiency in high vacuum
techniques and silvering; skill in making step seals between different
grades of glass; knowledge of how to work quartz, vycor, uranium, jena,
lead, nonex, glassbake, and metal-to-glass seals. In addition,
incumbents work with research personnel in the design of special
apparatus for research purposes, indicating what is feasible and
suggesting alternatives and simplifications.
The class of Senior Laboratory Glassblower is distinguished from the
class of Laboratory Glassblower in that incumbents perform tasks
characterized by a variety of special techniques used in the design and
construction of complex apparatus which are above and beyond those
required at the operational level.
Laboratory Glassblower
Under supervision, Laboratory Glassblowers perform at the operational
level of glassblowing in fabricating apparatus from several kinds of
glass. Incumbents make such apparatus as vacuum pumps, McLeod gauges,
special stopcocks, liquid air flasks, dewars, mercury arc lamps, geiger
counters, absorption cells and spiral condensers. In addition,
incumbents cut, Join and anneal glass tubing and flasks; evacuate,
de-gas, and seal liquid air flasks and other vacuum apparatus; introduce
gases into evacuated tubes; and operate a glassblower lathe.
The Laboratory Glassblower class is distinguished from the Laboratory
Glassblower Trainee class in that incumbents perform at the operational
level in fabricating a wide variety of glassware. Incumbents have
knowledge of the characteristics of glass, skill in its manipulation,
and the ability to operate machine tools.
Laboratory Glassblower Trainee
Under close supervision and in a training capacity, incumbents receive
instruction in the fundamentals of glassblowing while acquiring
operational skills for laboratory purposes.
Typically, incumbents fabricate simple glassware involving straight
tubes, plain flasks, and bulbs, involving the sealing of tubes of
different diameters; learn to cut glass tubing, to join and anneal
tubes, and to manipulate glass in flame while blowing it into shape in
the fabrication of such items as various shaped flasks, burettes, simple
innerseals, T, Y, and other shaped tubes; and learn to operate a glass
lathe and to read blueprints and drawings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Principal Laboratory Glassblower
Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations, and
eight years of experience in glassblowing of experimental laboratory
apparatus, including at least two years at the Senior Laboratory
Glassblower level; or an equivalent combination of education and
experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful
performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Senior Laboratory Glassblower
Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations, and
six years of experience in glassblowing of experimental laboratory
apparatus, including at least two years at the operational level; or an
equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and
abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties
assigned to the position.
Laboratory Glassblower
Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations, and
three years of experience in glassblowing of experimental laboratory
apparatus; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of
the duties assigned to the position.
Laboratory Glassblower Trainee
Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations, plus a
demonstrated glassblowing ability; and knowledges and abilities
essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the
position.
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