Patent ID: 6364592
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for moving substrates between a loading station and a treatment section comprising:a frame; the loading station connected to the frame and having at least first and second loading locations wherein the substrates may be supplied or received in stacked form therein; at least first and second load locks at the treatment section connected to the frame, the first load lock located directly opposite the first loading location, the second load lock located directly opposite the second loading location; substrate handling means disposed between the loading station and the load locks for picking up and moving one or a plurality of the substrates between each corresponding loading location and load lock; a loader module for receiving and guiding the substrate handling means as it moves between the first and second positions, the loader module having opposed spaced apart parallel sidewalls having a width and opposed endwalls, the sidewalls and endwalls generally defining a rectangular elongated guide track; and wherein said substrate handling means includes a linear positioning means movable within the guide track for positioning said handling means along the guide track, the loading station and the load locks being separated from one another substantially only by the width of the loader module and the distance between the opposed parallel sidewalls being only sufficiently large to allow free movement in the guide track of the substrate handling means.