초록 ▼

Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing stat

Disclosed is a manipulator for removing a cassette holding articles, such as semiconductor wafers, to be processed from a container supported on a processing station in a standard mechanical interface (SMIF) system. The container is supported on an interface port on the canopy of the processing station and has a removeable door on which the cassette is supportable. A first platform is transportable along a shaft below the interface port and is operable to mate with the interface port and receive the cassette from the container. The first platform is transported down the shaft, thereby removing the cassette from the container. A second platform mounted in the shaft includes a manipulator arm which swings to engage the cassette on the first platform and support the cassette off of the first platform. The manipulator arm then pivots to transport the cassette to a location in the processing station away from the shaft. The first platform is then transported back up the shaft to the interface port to seal the container to prevent particulate contamination. The manipulator arm and the second platform after placing the cassette at a location in the processing station away from the shaft, are then positioned completely inside the shaft to minimize the space taken up in the processing station by the manipulator.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for transferring a cassette holding articles to be processed to and from a container supported at a processing station where the processing station has a cassette port for receiving the cassette when the cassette moves along a central axis extending from outside the processing station t

An apparatus for transferring a cassette holding articles to be processed to and from a container supported at a processing station where the processing station has a cassette port for receiving the cassette when the cassette moves along a central axis extending from outside the processing station through the cassette port, and into the processing station, said apparatus comprising: cassette platform means including a cassette platform transportable along said axis for transferring the cassette to and from the container along said axis; manipulator means including an arm platform transportable along said axis and including an arm pivotably attached to said platform for engaging said cassette for transferring the cassette to and from said axis to a location offset from said axis whereby said cassette platform can travel along said axis bypassing said cassette.