Patent ID: 6471837
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: B01J,C23C

Abstract:
A vacuum coating installation for treating multiple workpieces, comprising a central distribution vacuum station having a workpiece transport arrangement controllably driven in said central distribution station for movement essentially along a plane; at least three further vacuum stations for the workpieces communicating by way of workpiece handling openings with said central distribution station, wherein said workpiece transport arrangement is configured and arranged to handle said multiple workpieces from said central distribution chamber through said workpiece handling openings towards and from respective one of said further vacuum stations; a workpiece carrier for more than one of said workpieces being releasably mounted to said workpiece transport arrangement so as to transport and handle said workpieces arranged on said workpiece carrier; and a drive arrangement having a releasable coupling for said workpiece carrier in at least one of said further vacuum stations.