Integrated circuit wafer transport mechanism
First Claim
1. In the production of intergrated electronic circuits, a transport mechanism for transferring circuit wafers between a disc holder and a predetermined point, said transport mechanism comprising:
- elevator means for supporting and vertically adjusting the height of the disc holder in steps corresponding to the spacing of adjacent horizontally placed wafers in said disc holder;
guide means linearly extending parallel with, but displaced from a line between said disc holder and the predetermined point;
a housing coupled to and slidably movable along said guide means, said housing having a vertically movable roof member;
lifting means within said housing for moving said roof member between first and second predetermined vertical positions; and
a transport arm having its first end attached to the top surface of said housing roof member, the second end of said arm being substantially centered along said line between said disc holder and said predetermined point, said second end being dimensioned for insertion into a disc holder on said elevator means and between adjacent wafers in said disc holder without contacting either of said wafers when said roof member is in its first vertical position, and for lifting the upper one of said adjacent wafers out of contact with said disc holder when said roof member is in its second vertical position, whereby said upper wafer may be transported to said predetermined point by movement of said housing along said guide means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manually operable mechanism for attachment to the adjustable stage of an inspection microscope for lifting a selected printed circuit wafer from its slot in a conventional disc holder and positioning it under the microscope lens for inspection. After inspection the mechanism is operated to lift the wafer from its inspection position, to transport it back into the disc holder, and carefully lower it into its correct slot. There is no manual handling of the wafers and therefore the normal losses resulting from breakage and contamination is eliminated.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In the production of intergrated electronic circuits, a transport mechanism for transferring circuit wafers between a disc holder and a predetermined point, said transport mechanism comprising:
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elevator means for supporting and vertically adjusting the height of the disc holder in steps corresponding to the spacing of adjacent horizontally placed wafers in said disc holder; guide means linearly extending parallel with, but displaced from a line between said disc holder and the predetermined point; a housing coupled to and slidably movable along said guide means, said housing having a vertically movable roof member; lifting means within said housing for moving said roof member between first and second predetermined vertical positions; and a transport arm having its first end attached to the top surface of said housing roof member, the second end of said arm being substantially centered along said line between said disc holder and said predetermined point, said second end being dimensioned for insertion into a disc holder on said elevator means and between adjacent wafers in said disc holder without contacting either of said wafers when said roof member is in its first vertical position, and for lifting the upper one of said adjacent wafers out of contact with said disc holder when said roof member is in its second vertical position, whereby said upper wafer may be transported to said predetermined point by movement of said housing along said guide means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification