Patent ID: 6031384
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An IC testing apparatus in which an IC device is conveyed to and tested in an IC device testing part, said apparatus comprising:a loader arm operating stage;an unloader arm operating stage;a contact arm operating stage having first and second contact heads for bringing an IC device in and out of said device testing part and first and second contact head carrier means for controlling movements of said first and second contact heads;a loader buffer carrier for conveying an untested IC device received from said loader arm operating stage to said contact arm operating stage, said loader arm operating stage having a loader arm for conveying an untested IC device from a tray containing untested IC devices to said loader buffer carrier;an unloader buffer carrier for conveying a tested IC device received from said contact arm operating stage to said unloader arm operating stage, said unloader arm operating stage having an unloader arm for conveying a tested IC device from said unloader buffer carrier to a tray for receiving tested IC devices;a buffer stage on which there are spaced apart a Y-direction loader buffer carrier rail for controlling said loader buffer carrier to move between said contact arm operating stage and said loader arm operating stage and a Y-direction unloader buffer carrier rail for controlling said unloader buffer carrier to move between said contact arm operating stage and said unloader arm operating stage; andan X-direction buffer stage rail for controlling said buffer stage to move in the X-direction crossing the direction between said loader arm operating stage and said contact arm operating stage and the direction between said unloader arm operating stage and said contact arm operating stage;wherein said buffer stage is interposed between said loader arm operating stage, said unloader arm operating stage and said contact arm operating stage.