Patent ID: 6318953
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A loading assembly for loading a bare cassette supporting at least one workpiece into a processing station, the loading assembly comprising:a SMIF input/output port having a port door and a port plate surrounding said port door, said port door moving vertically with respect to said port plate into the processing station;a stationary cover section mounted to said port plate;a pivoting cover section pivotally mounted with respect to said stationary cover section to move between a first position where a cassette may be loaded into said stationary cover section, and a second position where said pivoting cover section and said stationary cover section substantially isolate the cassette loaded into said stationary cover section from ambient atmospheric conditions; anda mechanism for receiving the cassette in an orientation where the cassette supports a workpiece in a substantially vertical orientation, and for rotating the cassette until the cassette supports the workpiece in a substantially horizontal orientation.