Patent ID: 7848832
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: B23Q,H01L

Abstract:
1. An alignment apparatus positioning a table portion on which an object is mounted to a predetermined position using a drive mechanism, the alignment apparatus comprising: at least three translational drive/translational/rotational freedom degree mechanism modules each comprising: two translational freedom degree guide portions each having a translational freedom degree, wherein a linear motor is provided to one of the translational freedom degree guide portions; and one rotational freedom degree guide portion having a rotational freedom degree; a detecting portion that detects a moving distance of each of the linear motors; a motor controller that controls each of the linear motors in response to a reference signal; and a reference signal generator that sends the reference signal to the motor controller, and wherein the at least three translational drive/translational/rotational freedom degree mechanism modules are arranged with respect to the table portion such that a moving directions of the other translational freedom degree guide portion and a moving direction of the rotational freedom degree guide portion can be determined by operating the linear motors in a translation direction, and wherein each of the linear motors is located on a circle whose center point is located on a center point of the table portion, and is moved in a tangential direction of the circle, so that the table portion is moved in two independent translational directions or in a rotational direction by operating the linear motors in the translational directions.