Patent · US Active

Process apparatus with on-the-fly workpiece centering

US7925378B2 · kind B2 · utility

517Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 11, 2006
Grant dateApr 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 12, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/67265
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A substrate processing apparatus having a transport apparatus, at least one sensor connected to the transport apparatus and a controller. The transport apparatus is adapted for transporting the substrate between processing stations of the processing apparatus. The sensor is capable of sensing the substrate transported by the transporting apparatus. The sensor is arranged for sending at least one signal in response to sensing the substrate. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor and arranged to determine alignment of the substrate in at least two directions, angled relative to each other, relative to a predetermined location. The controller is capable of determining alignment from the at least one signal identifying no more than two points on the substrate and independent of radial variances between substrates.

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