Universal tool interface and/or workpiece transfer apparatus for SMIF and open pod applications
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating transfer of a workpiece-carrying cassette between a pod and a process tool, the container including a pod door and a pod shell, the apparatus comprising:
- a base;
a frame affixed to said base;
a translation assembly including a carriage capable of vertical translation with respect to said frame;
a port plate capable of supporting the pod shell and said port plate capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port plate capable of being stationarily affixed to said frame;
a port door capable of supporting the pod door and said port door capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port door capable of being stationarily affixed to said base; and
means for affixing either said port plate or said port door to said carriage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A universal interface and transfer apparatus is disclosed which may be configured either as an indexer or a load port opener. In each configuration, the universal interface and transfer apparatus includes a port plate having a central opening, and a port door fitting within and sealing the central opening when no pod is present on the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a base and a frame mounted on and extending up from a front of the base. A modular drive assembly is mounted within an exterior side of the frame, which drive assembly includes a linear drive screw, and a motor and torque transmission mechanism for rotating the linear drive screw. A carriage is mounted on the linear drive screw such that rotation of the linear drive screw results in vertical translation of the carriage. In a first configuration, the port plate is mounted to the carriage via a bracket extending between the port plate and carriage so that rotation of the linear drive screw will vertically translate the port plate while the port door remains stationary. In a second configuration, the port door is mounted to the carriage via an arm extending between the port door and carriage, while the port plate is stationarily mounted to the frame so that rotation of the linear drive screw will vertically translate the port door while the port plate remains stationary.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for facilitating transfer of a workpiece-carrying cassette between a pod and a process tool, the container including a pod door and a pod shell, the apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame affixed to said base; a translation assembly including a carriage capable of vertical translation with respect to said frame; a port plate capable of supporting the pod shell and said port plate capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port plate capable of being stationarily affixed to said frame; a port door capable of supporting the pod door and said port door capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port door capable of being stationarily affixed to said base; and means for affixing either said port plate or said port door to said carriage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for receiving a workpiece-carrying cassette and for presenting the workpiece carrying cassette and/or a workpiece from within the workpiece-carrying cassette for transfer away from the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a base; a frame affixed to said base; a translation assembly including a carriage capable of vertical translation with respect to said frame; a port plate capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port plate capable of being stationarily affixed to said frame; a port door capable of supporting the workpiece-carrying cassette and said port door capable of being affixed to said carriage to vertically translate with respect to said frame and said port door capable of being stationarily affixed to said base; and means for affixing one of said port plate and said port door to said carriage. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification