Patent ID: 6592317
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An end effector gripper adapted for attachment to an articulated arm as part of an end effector which is includable in a pod loader interface, the end effector gripper adapting the pod loader interface for gripping a wafer carrier enclosable within a Standard Mechanical InterFace (â€œSMIFâ€ ) pod and for transporting to a process operation semiconductor wafers held in the wafer carrier, and for subsequently reloading the semiconductor wafers and the wafer carrier into the SMIF pod when the process operation is completed, the end effector gripper comprising:a gripper mounting plate that is adapted for attachment to the articulated arm; aligning means, secured to said gripper mounting plate, which adapt the end effector gripper for properly aligning with the wafer carrier; a pair of gripper blades that are separated from each other along and are coupled to said gripper mounting plate, and which during gripping of the wafer carrier by the end effector gripper initially close toward each other and then draw nearer to said gripper mounting plate; and drive means, also secured to said gripper mounting plate, which energize movement of the gripper blades for gripping the wafer carrier.