Patent ID: 6704998
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: H01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for transferring wafers into and out of a SMIF pod having a pod door releasably coupled to a pod shell, comprising:a processing tool having an interior region, including: an I/O port for allowing wafers to pass between the,SMIF pod and said interior region; and a port door releasably secured to said I/O port, said port door having a first and second side, said second side having a pair of latch keys for coupling/decoupling the pod door and the pod shell and for coupling/decoupling said port door with the pod door; and a robot having an end effector, said end effector including: a wafer access device for transferring wafers between the SMIF pod and said processing tool; and a port door gripping assembly for releasably securing said end effector to said first side of said port door so that said robot may transfer said port door between said I/O port and a predetermined position within the processing tool.