Method and system for loading wafers
First Claim
1. A system for transferring semiconductor wafers between a processing vessel and wafer cassettes, said system comprising:
- a frame capable of being positioned proximate the processing vessel;
means mounted on the frame for transporting a plurality of wafer cassettes along a closed path;
a support surface rotatably mounted on the frame;
means on the support surface for holding a plurality of individual wafers in a generally vertical orientation;
means mounted on the frame for rotating the support surface;
a robotic arm assembly having a base positioned at the center of the rotatably mounted support surface and a manipulable arm which extends from the base and which can be selectively positioned relative to the frame;
means mounted on the arm for detachably securing individual wafers; and
means for manipulating the arm.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wafer transport system includes a mobile frame, a wafer cassette conveyor, a wafer support table, and a wafer transfer assembly. The wafer cassette conveyor carries a plurality of wafer cassettes and presents them successively to a transfer location. The wafer transport assembly, including a robotic arm and a vacuum pickup element, is then able to transport individual wafers from the cassettes to the support table. By rotating the support table, a plurality of wafers can be placed in a desired order. The wafer support table may then be moved to a location proximate a processing chamber, such as a chemical vapor deposition reactor, and processed and unprocessed wafers efficiently exchanged by the transport assembly.
119 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A system for transferring semiconductor wafers between a processing vessel and wafer cassettes, said system comprising:
-
a frame capable of being positioned proximate the processing vessel; means mounted on the frame for transporting a plurality of wafer cassettes along a closed path; a support surface rotatably mounted on the frame; means on the support surface for holding a plurality of individual wafers in a generally vertical orientation; means mounted on the frame for rotating the support surface; a robotic arm assembly having a base positioned at the center of the rotatably mounted support surface and a manipulable arm which extends from the base and which can be selectively positioned relative to the frame; means mounted on the arm for detachably securing individual wafers; and means for manipulating the arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A system for transferring wafers between a processing vessel and wafer cassettes, said system comprising:
-
a frame capable of being positioned proximate the processing vessel; a vertical wheel rotatably mounted on the frame; means on the wheel for supporting a plurality of wafer cassettes in a generally vertical orientation; means on the frame for rotating the wheel to move the cassettes past a fixed location; a horizontal support surface rotatably mounted on the frame; means on the support surface for holding a plurality of individual wafers; means on the frame for rotating the support surface; a robotic arm assembly including a base positioned at the center of the horizontal support surface and a manipulable arm which extends from the base and which can be selectively positioned relative to the frame; means mounted on the arm for detachably securing individual wafers; and means for manipulating the arm so that wafers can be secured and transported (a) the cassettes, (b) the means for holding on the rotatably mounted horizontal support surface, and (c) a location in the processing vessel. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification