Patent ID: 6979034
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: B24B,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for processing a workpiece in a workpiece processing apparatus comprising the steps of: grasping a first workpiece between first and second rotatable catch mechanisms on a first side of a workpiece handling end-effector; positioning the first workpiece in alignment with the workpiece processing apparatus; rotating the first and second rotatable catch mechanisms to an open position to ungrasp the first workpiece and to raise the first workpiece into contact with the workpiece processing apparatus; processing the first workpiece in the workpiece processing apparatus; while processing the first workpiece, grasping a second workpiece between the first and second rotatable catch mechanisms on the first side of the workpiece handling end-effector; positioning the workpiece end-effector below the workpiece processing apparatus with a second side of the workpiece end-effector aligned with the workpiece processing apparatus and with third and fourth rotatable catch mechanisms on the second side of the workpiece end-effector rotated to an open position; transferring the first workpiece to the second side of the workpiece end-effector and rotating the third and fourth rotatable catch mechanisms to a closed position to grasp the first workpiece; rotating the workpiece end-effector by 180° to align the second workpiece with the workpiece processing apparatus; and rotating the first and second rotatable catch mechanisms to an open position to ungrasp the second workpiece and to raise the second workpiece into contact with the workpiece processing apparatus.