Patent ID: 6652784
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B25J,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of handling a wafer assembly having a wafer assembly having a frame, a backing film attached to the frame, and a microelectronic-device substrate assembly attached to the backing film, the method comprising:activating a motor operatively coupled to an arm to slide the arm in a first direction along an elongated guide member having a shape extending at least substantially parallel to a processing path of a processing machine, the motor moving the arm in the first direction until a clamp attached to the arm is positioned adjacent to a selected frame and substrate assembly stored in a cassette adjacent to a processing station; gripping the selected frame with the clamp; re-activating the motor to slide the arm in a second direction along the guide member until the selected frame and substrate assembly are positioned in a plate gap separating first and second plates of the processing station; processing the selected frame and substrate assembly in the processing station by tightening the backing film attached to the selected frame; energizing the motor to slide the arm back in the first direction until the selected frame and substrate assembly are placed back in the cassette; and releasing the clamp from the selected frame.