Patent ID: 6598279
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of maintaining a semiconductor device fabrication system, the method comprising:arranging at least two semiconductor device fabrication modules about a semiconductor device fabrication system base such that said at least two semiconductor device fabrication modules are coupled with said semiconductor device fabrication system base and are mutually remotely located on different angularly disposed sides of a periphery of said semiconductor device fabrication system base and such that at least one of said at least two semiconductor device fabrication modules is coupled with said semiconductor device fabrication system base so as to convey a semiconductor wafer therebetween through a wafer pass-through; substantially simultaneously disconnecting the wafer pass-through and a plurality of conduits for communicating at least two different facilities between said semiconductor device fabrication system base and at least one semiconductor device fabrication module of said at least two modules; removing said at least one semiconductor device fabrication module from the semiconductor device fabrication system base; replacing a component of the at least one semiconductor device fabrication module in accordance with a maintenance program; and maintaining at least one other semiconductor device fabrication module of said at least two modules in an operable state while replacing said at least one semiconductor device fabrication module.