Patent ID: 6352399
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B65G,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically loading a loaded long wafer boat onto a cantilever paddle, and for automatically unloading the loaded long wafer boat from the cantilever paddle, comprising:(a) a first cantilever paddle; (b) a stationary first track aligned with a first opening of a furnace, and a first carriage moveable on the first track, the first carriage supporting the first cantilever paddle, (c) a first vertical translation mechanism including a first stationary part and a first vertically moveable support, and a second vertical translation mechanism including a second stationary part and a second vertically moveable support; (d) a first horizontal translation mechanism having a first base supported by the first vertically moveable support and a first horizontally moveable arm supported by the first base, and a second horizontal translation mechanism having a second base supported by the second vertically moveable support and a second horizontally moveable arm supported by the second base; (e) a horizontal support apparatus adapted to support the long wafer boat, the horizontal support apparatus having a first end supported by the first horizontally moveable arm and a second end supported by the second horizontally moveable arm; and (f) a controller coupled to the first and second horizontal translation mechanisms for separately controlling horizontal movement of the first and second horizontally movable arms, whereby the arms can be individually controlled to align a longitudinal axis of the wafer boat substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cantilever paddle.