Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for loading and unloading wafers

US4775281A · kind A · utility

507Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1986
Grant dateOct 4, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/139
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for loading and unloading wafers including a support structure having associated with it a predetermined wafer engagement position at which wafers can be engaged by the processing machine, a temporary storage device mounted on the support structure for storing a wafer in position for pick up, the flat surfaces of the wafer being parallel to an X-axis and perpendicular to a Z-axis, a first wafer engagement member for carrying the wafer on the first engagement member between the temporary storage device and the engagement position, a first X-direction mover mounted on the support structure and operable to move the first engagement member parallel to the X-axis, a second wafer engagement member for carrying the wafer on the second engagement member between the temporary storage device and the engagement position, a second X-direction mover mounted on the support structure and operable to move the second engagement member parallel to the X-axis independent of the first engagement member, a Z-direction mover mounted on the support structure and operable to move the first and second engagement members in the Z-direction, and a controller to cause the first X-direction mover to …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.