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High throughput wafer notch aligner

  • US 20080138175A1
  • Filed: 12/06/2006
  • Published: 06/12/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An alignment and buffering apparatus for determining an orientation of a plurality of workpieces, the alignment mechanism comprising:

  • a base;

    a workpiece buffering device comprising a plurality of workpiece tray stations aligned generally vertically with respect to one another, wherein each workpiece tray station is operable to selectively support a respective one of the plurality of workpieces in a respective buffer position;

    an elevator device operably coupled to the base, wherein the elevator device is operable to individually vertically translate each of the plurality of workpieces from the respective buffer position to a characterization position and to rotate each respective workpiece about an axis associated therewith; and

    a characterization device associated with the characterization position, wherein the characterization device is operable to detect one or more characteristics associated with each of the plurality of workpieces when each respective workpiece is at the characterization position.

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