Patent ID: 9601362
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A substrate aligner apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to allow a substrate transporter to transport a substrate to and from the aligner apparatus; a substrate buffer system mounted to the frame and including a buffer frame with a first set of passive support pads depending from the buffer frame for holding a first substrate in a first plane such that each pad in the first set of passive support pads supports the first substrate in the first plane and with a second set of passive support pads depending from the buffer frame for holding a second substrate in a second plane such that each pad in the second set of passive support pads is independent of each pad in the first set of passive support pads and each pad in the second set of passive support pads supports the second substrate in the second plane; a substrate support system, distinct from the substrate buffer system, mounted to the frame and having a third set of passive support pads independent of the first and second sets of passive support pads for holding the first or second substrate in a third plane; and at least one sensing device mounted on the buffer frame for detecting a position determining feature of one of the first or second substrates; wherein the substrate buffer system and substrate support system are configured to move relative to each other with all passive support pads in the first set of passive support pads, the second set of passive support pads and the third set of passive support pads being radially passive, so as to be radially static relative to each other and the substrate, for effecting substrate transfer between the substrate buffer system and the substrate support, and substrate placement at a detection position of the at least one sensing device, and effecting detection of the position determining feature and orientation of a respective one of the first or second substrates and the first, second and third set of passive support pads being configured to contact a peripheral edge of a respective substrate.