System and method for 2D workpiece alignment
US9082799B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49899
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A carrier capable of holding one or more workpieces is disclosed. The carrier includes movable projections located along the sides of each cell in the carrier. This carrier, in conjunction with a separate alignment apparatus, aligns each workpiece within its respective cell against several alignment pins, using a multiple step alignment process to guarantee proper positioning of the workpiece in the cell. First, the workpieces are moved toward one side of the cell. Once the workpieces have been aligned against this side, the workpieces are then moved toward an adjacent orthogonal side such that the workpieces are aligned to two sides of the cell. Once aligned, the workpiece is held in place by the projections located along each side of each cell. In addition, the alignment pins are also used to align the associated mask, thereby guaranteeing that the mask is properly aligned to the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.