Patent Publication Number: US-2012039691-A1

Title: Systems for treating a substrate

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priorities under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0077941, filed on Aug. 12, 2010, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0013853, filed on Feb. 16, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present inventive concept herein relates to systems for treating a substrate, and more particularly, to systems for treating a substrate between a plurality of process facilities including a transfer module. 
     Semiconductor processes are performed in a plurality of process facilities provided in clean environments, such as a clean room. Each of the process facilities may include a load port, a transfer module and a treating module. A vessel including substrates is placed on the load port. The transfer module is arranged between the load port and the treating module and may include a transfer robot returning a substrate between a vessel placed on the load port and the treating module. An example of the process facility described above is disclosed in U.S. Published Patent No. 2008/0255697, which is commonly owned by the assignee of the instant application and is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The process facilities are arranged to be separated from one another in a clean room. Substrates on a vessel are transferred between the process facilities by a return device or a worker. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a substrate treating system. The substrate treating system includes a plurality of process facilities respectively including a transfer module in which a transfer robot is provided and a treating module connected to the transfer module. The substrate treating system also includes a buffer station located between each of adjacent transfer modules and provided to transfer substrates between the transfer modules. The plurality of process facilities includes at least one first facility in which the treating module is located on a first side of an imaginary connection line provided along a direction in which the transfer modules and the buffer station are arranged, and at least one second facility in which the treating module is located on a second side of the imaginary connection line. The transfer module of the first facility protrudes toward the first side of the imaginary connection line farther than the transfer module of the second facility. 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept also provide a substrate treating system that includes a first transfer module into which a first transfer robot is provided, a second transfer module into which a second transfer robot is provided, a buffer station disposed between the first transfer module and the second transfer module and provided to transfer a substrate between the first and second modules, a first treating module combined with the first transfer module while being disposed on a first side of an imaginary connection line, wherein the imaginary connection line extends in a direction in which the first transfer module, the first buffer station and the second transfer module are arranged, and a second treating module combined with the second transfer module while being disposed on a second side of the imaginary connection line. The first transfer module protrudes toward the first side of the imaginary connection line farther than the second transfer module. 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept also provide a substrate treating system, comprising a first transfer module, a second transfer module, a buffer station interposed between the first and second transfer modules, wherein the first and second transfer modules, and the buffer station are arranged along an imaginary line extending along a first axis, a first treating module disposed on a first side of the imaginary line along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a second treating module disposed on a second side of the imaginary line along the second axis, wherein a side of the first transfer module on the first side of and extending parallel to the imaginary line is farther from the imaginary line than a side of the second transfer module on the first side of and extending parallel to the imaginary line. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The foregoing and other features of the inventive concept will be apparent from the more particular description of aspects of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters may refer to the same or similar parts throughout the specification. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view illustrating an example of a substrate treating system. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating internal structures of a transfer module and a buffer station. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating another example of the buffer member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer station of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view illustrating another example of the buffer station of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective views illustrating other examples of the buffer station of  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
         FIG. 9  is a drawing for describing a shape of a transfer module in a substrate treating system. 
         FIGS. 10 through 15  are top plan views illustrating other examples of a substrate treating system, respectively. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example of a substrate treating device of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIGS. 17 through 19  are top plan views illustrating other examples of a substrate treating system, respectively. 
         FIG. 20  is a drawing illustrating an example of a substrate treating device of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIGS. 21 through 23  are top plan views illustrating other examples of a substrate treating system. 
         FIGS. 24 through 26  are top plan views illustrating an example of a plurality of substrate treating systems. 
         FIGS. 27 through 29  illustrate returning paths of a substrate in a substrate treating system, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the inventive concept will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the inventive concept may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. . In the drawings, the shapes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers may refer to like elements throughout. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present inventive concept may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present inventive concept may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present inventive concept may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a RAM, a ROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present inventive concept may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present inventive concept are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the inventive concept. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article or manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present inventive concept. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical functions(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a substrate treating system  1000  in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the substrate treating system  1000  includes a plurality of process facilities  1200  and a plurality of buffer stations  1400 . Each of the process facilities  1200  includes a load port  1220 , a transferring module  1240  and a treating module  1260 . According to an embodiment, in the process facility  1200 , the load port  1220 , the transferring module  1240  and the treating module  1260  are sequentially arranged in a straight line. The transfer modules  1240  that belong to other process facilities  1200  are arranged with one another in a straight line. The buffer station  1400  is disposed between transfer modules  1240  of adjacent process facilities  1200 . When viewed from a top plan view, in the process facility  1200 , a direction in which the load port  1220 , the transfer module  1240  and the treating module  1260  are arranged is perpendicular to a direction in which the transfer modules  1240  and the buffer station  1400  are arranged. Referring to the legend in  FIG. 1 , the direction in which the transfer modules  1240  and the buffer station  1400  are arranged is called a first direction  10  and the direction in which the load port  1220 , the transfer module  1240  and the treating module  1260  are arranged is called a second direction  20 . 
     In operation, a vessel  30  including substrates is placed on the load port  1220 . According to an embodiment, the vessel  30  is loaded or unloaded by a return device  40  like an overhead transfer. The vessel  30  may be selectively loaded or unloaded on the load port  1220  by an automatic guided vehicle, a rail guided vehicle or a worker. A front open unified pod, which is a closed type vessel, may be used as the vessel  30 . In each process facility  1200 , one or a plurality of the load ports  1220  are provided. In the case that a plurality of the load ports  1220  are provided, the load ports  1220  are provided in a line along the first direction  10 . In  FIG. 1 , two load ports  1220  for each process facility  1200  are shown. However, a quantity of the load ports  1220  provided to each of the process facilities  1200  may be different. Also, the process facilities  1200  may have a different quantity of load ports  1220  from one another. 
     The transfer module  1240  includes a housing  1250  and a transfer robot  1242 . The housing  1250  has a substantially rectangular shape. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  1250  has a top surface ( 1251  of  FIG. 2 ), a bottom surface ( 1252  of  FIG. 2 ), a first side  1253 , a second side  1254 , a third side  1255  and a fourth side  1256 . The first and third sides  1253  and  1255  face each other and the second and fourth sides  1254  and  1256  face each other. The first side  1253  is perpendicular to the second side  1254 . The first side  1253  faces the load port  1220  and the third side  1255  faces the treating module  1260 . 
     An opening (not shown) access to a substrate in the vessel  30  and a door (not shown) for opening and closing the opening is provided at the first side  1253  of the housing  1250 . An opening (not shown) for an access to a substrate in the treating module  1260  and a door (not shown) for opening and closing the opening is provided at the third side  1255  of the housing  1250 . Also, openings ( 1257  of  FIG. 2 ) for access to a substrate in the buffer station  1400  are formed on the second and/or fourth sides of the housing  1250 , respectively. A door opener (not shown) for opening a door of the vessel  30  is provided in the housing  1250 . The housing  1250  is provided so that an inner region of the housing  1250  is isolated from the outside. A fan filter unit (not shown) is provided on the top surface of the housing  1250  and the fan filter unit guide air filtered in the housing  1250  so that it flows in a direction from top to bottom. Accordingly, the inside of the housing  1250  may be maintained to be cleaner than the outside of the housing  1250 . 
     The transfer robot  1242  transfers a substrate between the vessel  30  placed on the load port  1220  and the treating module  1260 , between the load port  1220  and the buffer station  1400  and between the treating module  1260  and the buffer station  1400 . A guide rail  1246  is provided in the housing  1250  to be parallel to the first direction  10 . The transfer robot  1242  is located on the guide rail  1246  to move in a straight line along the guide rail  1246 . According to an embodiment, the transfer robot  1242  also moves up and down. A hand  1244  of the transfer robot  1242  can move forward, move backward and rotate on a horizontal plane. One or more hands  1244  may be provided. In  FIG. 1 , the transfer robot  1242  having two hands  1244  is shown. 
     The treating module  1260  includes a load-lock chamber  1262 , a transfer chamber  1264  and a process chamber  1266 . 
     The transfer chamber  1264  has a substantially polygonal shape when viewed from a top plan view. In  FIG. 1 , it is illustrated that the transfer chamber  1264  has a hexagonal shape when viewed from a top plan view. However, a shape of the transfer chamber  1264  is not limited thereto, and may be changed. A transfer robot  1268  is provided in the transfer chamber  1264 . The transfer robot  1268  can move up and down and a hand  1269  of the transfer robot  1268  can move forward, move backward and rotate on a horizontal plane. One or more hands  1269  may be provided. In  FIG. 1 , the transfer robot  1268  having two hands  1268  is shown. 
     The load-lock chambers  1262  and the process chambers  1266  are provided around the transfer chamber  1264 . The load-lock chambers  1262  are located at side portions of the transfer chamber  1264  adjacent to the transfer module  1240 . The process chambers  1266  are located at the other side portions of the transfer chamber  1264 . One or more load-lock chambers  1262  may be provided. According to an embodiment, two load-lock chambers  1262  are provided. Substrates to be inputted in the treating module  1260  to perform a process may be temporally placed in one of the load-lock chambers  1262  and substrates outputted from the treating module  1260  after a process is completed may be temporally placed in the other of the load-lock chambers  1262 . Substrates before performing a process and after completing a process may be placed in each of the load-lock chambers  1262 . The insides of the transfer chamber  1264  and the process chambers  1266  are maintained at a first pressure, the inside of the transfer module  1240  is maintained at a second pressure and the inside of the load-lock chamber  1262  may be varied between the first pressure and the second pressure. According to an embodiment, the first pressure is lower than the second pressure. For instance, the first pressure is a vacuum pressure and the second pressure is an atmospheric pressure. 
     A process chamber  1266  performs a predetermined process on a substrate. For example, the process chamber  1266  may perform processes such as cleaning, ashing, deposition, etching or measuring. One or more of the process chambers  1266  may be provided. For example, the process chambers  1266  may be provided to all or a portion of the other side portions, except those side portions of the transfer chamber  1264  to which the load-lock chambers  1262  are provided. In the case that a plurality of process chambers  1266  are provided, the process chambers  1266  may perform a same process or different processes on the substrate. The process chambers  1266  may have structures performing processes on the substrate at, for example, a vacuum pressure, or at atmospheric pressure. 
     The buffer station  1400  is provided between adjacent transfer modules (e.g.,  1240   a,    1240   b ).  FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating an example of a buffer station  1400  provided between transfer modules ( 1240   a,    1240   b ).  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer member  1440  of  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the buffer station  1400  includes a housing  1420  and a buffer member  1440 . According to an embodiment, the housing  1420  has a rectangular container shape having a space therein. One end of the housing  1420  is combined with a first transfer module  1240   a  and the other end of the housing  1420  is combined with a second transfer module  1240   b . One end and the other end of the housing  1420  are spaced apart from each other along the first direction  10  and face each other. 
     According to an embodiment, the buffer member  1440  is fixedly installed in the housing  1420 . The buffer member  1440  includes a body  1442  and a plurality of buffers  1444 . The body  1442  has a rectangular container shape and some of the sides (e.g., two sides) perpendicular to the first direction  10  are open. The buffers  1444  are provided inside the body  1442 . The buffers  1444  are spaced apart from each other in an up-and-down direction. Each of the buffers  1444  includes two plates  1444   a  and  1444   b  supporting an edge portion of the substrate. The plates  1444   a  and  1444   b  are spaced apart from each other along the second direction  20 . A hand  1244  of a transfer robot  1242  moves up and down along a separated space between the plates ( 1444   a,    1444   b ). The transfer robots  1242  of the transfer modules  1240   a,    1240   b  located at both sides of the buffer station  1400  are provided to load or unload the substrates. According to an embodiment, the buffer member  1440  may have a buffer  1445  like that shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , doors  1258  opening and closing respective openings  1257  formed on a side facing the buffer station  1400  are provided in the housings  1250  of the transfer modules ( 1240   a,    1240   b ). In the event that an error occurs in one of the process facilities  1200 , an opening  1257  is closed using the door  1258  and each process facility  1200  may be used independently of other process facilities  1200 . In this case, a transfer of the substrate in a vessel  30  between the process facilities  1200  may be performed through the overhead transfer  40 . As an alternative, the vessel  30  including the substrate may be transferred between the process facilities  1200  using an automatic guided vehicle, a rail guided vehicle or a worker. 
       FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating another example of a buffer station  1401 . In  FIG. 5 , the housing  1421  is removed to show the inside of the buffer station  1401 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the buffer station  1401  includes a housing  1421 , a buffer member  1441  and a buffer driving member  1460 . The housing  1421  and the buffer member  1441  in  FIG. 5  have a similar structure to the housing  1420  and the buffer member  1440  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The housing  1421  of  FIG. 5  has a greater length along the first direction  10  compared with the housing  1420  of  FIG. 2 . The buffer driving member  1460  moves the buffer member  1441  from a first location to a second location along the first direction  10  in the housing  1421 . The first location is a location adjacent to a transfer module  1240   a  (also referred to as “a first transfer module”) located at one side of the buffer station  1401  and the second location is a location adjacent to another transfer module  1240   b  (also referred to as “a second transfer module”) located at the other side of the buffer station  1401 . The buffer driving member  1460  includes a guide rail  1461  and a base  1462 . A lengthwise direction of the guide rail  1461  is arranged in the housing  1421  to be parallel to the first direction  10  and extends from the first location to the second location. The base  1462  is combined with the guide rail  1461  so that it can move along the guide rail  1461  by a driver (not shown). The buffer member  1441  is fixedly combined with the base  1462  to move together with the base  1462 . The buffer station  1401  of  FIG. 5  may be used when a distance between the adjacent transfer modules  1240   a  and  1240   b  is relatively far. 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view illustrating another example of a buffer station  1402 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the buffer station  1402  includes a housing  1422 , a first buffer member  1422   a,  a second buffer member  1442   b  and a return member  1480 . The housing  1422  of  FIG. 6  has a structure similar to the housing  1420  of  FIG. 2 . The first buffer member  1442   a  and the second buffer member  1442   b  have a structure similar to the buffer member  1440  of  FIG. 3 . However, the housing  1422  of  FIG. 6  has a greater length along a first direction  10  compared with the housing  1420  of  FIG. 2 . The first buffer member  1442   a  is located adjacent to the first transfer module  1240   a  disposed on one side of the buffer station  1402 . The second buffer member  1442   b  is located adjacent to the second transfer module  1240   b  disposed on the other side of the buffer station  1402 . The return member  1480  transfers a substrate between the first buffer member  1442   a  and the second buffer member  1442   b.  The return member  1480  has a guided rail  1481  and a transfer robot  1482 . The guided rail  1481  is disposed in the housing  1422  so that a lengthwise direction of the guided rail  1481  is parallel to the first direction  10 . The guided rail  1481  extends from a position adjacent to the first buffer member  1442   a  to a position adjacent to the second buffer member  1442   b.  The transfer robot  1482  is combined with the guided rail  1481  so that the transfer robot  1482  can be transferred along the guided rail  1481  by a driver (not shown). The transfer robot  1482  transfers a substrate from the first buffer member  1442   a  to the second buffer member  1442   b.  The transfer robot  1482  has one or a plurality of hands  1483 . For instance, the transfer robot  1482  may have two hands or may have as many hands as the number of substrates that can be loaded on the first buffer member  1442   a.  The buffer station  1402  of  FIG. 6  may be used when a distance between the adjacent transfer modules  1240   a ,  1240   b  is comparatively long. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment, the buffer station  1400  is a single body with the transfer modules  1240 . As an alternative, the buffer station  1400  may be readily attached to and detached from the transfer modules  1240 . 
     According to an embodiment, the substrate treating system  1000  is installed as follows. The process facility  1200  and the buffer station  1400  are sequentially and repeatedly installed until the last process facility  1200  is installed. When installing the buffer station  1400 , the buffer station  1400  is installed to connect with the transfer module  1240  of an adjacent installed the process facility  1200 , and when installing the process facility  1200 , the transfer module  1240  is installed to connect with an adjacent installed buffer station  1400 . Then, the transfer module  1240  and the buffer station  1400  are fixed using a combination member (not shown) such as, for example, a screw. 
     As an alternative, the substrate treating system  1000  is installed as follows. First, the process facilities  1200  are installed so that the transfer modules  1240  are located to be spaced apart from one another at regular intervals. After that, the buffer stations  1400  are located between the transfer modules  1240 . According to an embodiment, a length of the buffer stations  1400  along the first direction  10  may be adjustable. After the buffer stations  1400  are located between the transfer modules  1240 , a length of the buffer station  1400  is adjusted (e.g., increased) to connect to an adjacent transfer module  1240 . Then, the transfer module  1240  and the buffer station  1400  are fixed using a combination member (not shown) such as, for example, a screw. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a buffer station  1403  of which a length is adjustable. Referring to  FIG. 7 , a housing  1423  of the buffer station  1403  includes a body  1423   a,  a bellows  1423   b  and a combination plate  1423   c . The body  1423   a  has a structure or a material such that a length of the body  1244   a  along the first direction  10  is fixed. The bellows  1423   b  extends from the body  1423   a  and a length of the bellows  1423   b  may be changed along the first direction  10 . A combination plate  1423   c  is provided at an end of the body  1423   a  and at an end of the bellows  1423   b . To combine the buffer station  1403  with the transfer modules  1240 , first, the buffer station  1403  is located between the transfer modules  1240  in a state that a length of the bellows  1423   b  is reduced. Then, the combination plate  1423   c  combined with the body  1423   a  connects to the transfer module  1240  and the combination plate  1423   c  and the transfer module  1240  are combined with each other using a combination member (not shown). Then, a length of the bellows  1423   b  is increased so that the combination plate  1423   c  combined with the bellows  1423   b  connects to the other transfer module  1240 . Then, the combination plate  1423   c  and the other transfer module  1240  are combined with each other using a combination member (not shown). 
     As an alternative, unlike  FIG. 7 , the housing may include the bellows on both sides of the body. Also, as an alternative, an entire region of the housing may be formed as bellows. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating another example of a buffer station  1404  of which a length can be changed. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a housing  1424  may include a first body  1424   a,  a second body  1424   b  and a combination plate  1424   c.  The second body  1424   b  is combined with the first body  1424   a  so that the second body  1424   b  protrudes from the first body  1424   a  or is inserted into the first body  1424   a  along the first direction  10 . That is, a length of the housing  1424  may be changed along the first direction  10  by a telescope method. The combination plate  1424   c  is provided at both ends on the first and second bodies  1424   a  and  1424   b.  To combine the buffer station  1404  with the transfer modules  1240 , first, the buffer station  1404  is located between the transfer modules  1240  in a state that the second body  1424   b  is inserted into the first body  1424   a.  Then, the combination plate  1424   c  combined with the first body  1424   a  is connected to the transfer module  1240  and the buffer station  1404  and the transfer module  1240  are combined with each other using a combination member (not shown). After that, the second body  1424   b  protrudes from the first body  1424   a  so that the combination member  1424   c  provided at the end of the second body  1424   b  can be connected to the other transfer module  1240 , and then the buffer station  1404  and the other transfer module  1240  are combined with each other using a combination member (not shown). 
     In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a sealing member (not shown) may be applied to a contact surface between the combination plates  1423   c  or  1424   c  and the transfer modules  1240  so that the inside of the transfer module  1240  and the inside of the housings  1423  or  1424  of the buffer stations  1403  or  1404  are sealed from the outside. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment, the process facilities  1200  have a same structure as each other. The transfer modules  1240  and the buffer stations  1400  connected to each other may be disposed along an imaginary line, referred to as a connection line  50 . According to an embodiment, the connection line  50  is a straight line like that shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the connection line  50  may have various shapes such as a capital “L” or a capital “T”. According to an embodiment, the treating modules  1260  of the process facilities  1200  are sequentially and alternately disposed at a first side and a second side of the connection line  50 . Guide rails  42  are provided to a first side and a second side of the connection line  50  so that the guide rails  42  face the load ports  1220  on first and second sides of the connection line  50 . A return device such as an overhead transfer  40  may move along the guide rails  42 . According to an embodiment, the guide rail  42  provided to the first side of the connection line  50  is independent of the guide rail provided to the second side of the connection line  50 . As an alternative, the guide rail  42  provided to the first side of the connection line  50  and the guide rail  42  provided to the second side of the connection line  50  are parts of one rail. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged drawing of three process facilities provided in  FIG. 1  and buffer stations disposed between the process facilities. 
     For convenience of description, in  FIG. 9 , a process facility provided to a first side of the connection line  50  is called a first facility  1200   a.  A load port, a transfer module and a treating module that are provided to the first facility  1200   a  are called a first load port  1220   a,  a first transfer module  1240   a  and a first treating module  1260   a , respectively. A process facility provided to a second side of the connection line  50  is called a second facility  1200   b.  A load port, a transfer module and a treating module that are provided to the second facility  1200   b  are called a second load port  1220   b,  a second transfer module  1240   b  and a second treating module  1260   b,  respectively. 
     As described above, the first treating module  1260   a  is combined with a third sidewall  1255   a  of the first transfer module  1240   a  and the second treating module  1260   b  is combined with a third sidewall  1255   b  of the second transfer module  1240   b . The third sidewall  1255   a  of the first transfer module  1240   a  protrudes farther from the connection line  50  toward the first treating module  1260   a  as compared with a first sidewall  1253   b  of the second transfer module  1240   b.  The third sidewall  1255   b  of the second transfer module  1240   b  protrudes farther from the connection line  50  toward the second treating module  1260   b  as compared with a first sidewall  1253   a  of the first transfer module  1240   a.    
     A buffer station  1400  disposed between the first transfer module  1240   a  and the second transfer module  1240   b  includes a first sidewall  1453 , a second sidewall  1454 , a third sidewall  1455  and a fourth sidewall  1456 . The first sidewall  1453  and the third sidewall  1455  face each other. The second sidewall  1454  and the fourth sidewall  1456  face each other. The second sidewall  1454  and the fourth sidewall  1456  are combined with a first transfer module  1240   a  and a second transfer module  1240   b , respectively. The first sidewall  1453  is disposed on a plane that extends from the first sidewall  1253   a  of the first transfer module  1240   a.  The third sidewall  1455  is disposed on a plane that extends from the first sidewall  1253   b  of the second transfer module  1240   b.    
     A first service space  1880   a  is surrounded by a portion  1700   a  protruding from the first transfer module  1240   a,  the second load ports  1220   b  and a buffer station  1400 . The first service space  1800   a  is a space in which a worker may be located when maintenance of the first transfer module  1240   a,  load lock chambers  1262   a  of the first treating module  1260   a,  the buffer station  1400  and the second load ports  1220   b  is needed. Also, a second service space  1800   b  is surrounded by a portion  1700   b  protruding from the second transfer module  1240   b,  the first load ports  1220   a  and a buffer station  1400 . The second service space  1800   b  is a space in which a worker may be located when maintenance of the second transfer module  1240   b,  load lock chambers  1262   b  of the second treating module  1260   b,  the buffer station  1400  and the first load ports  1220   a  is needed. 
     According to an embodiment, the process facilities  1200   a  and  1200   b  have a same size and a same shape. The maximum width L 1  parallel to the first direction  10  of the treating module  1260  may be greater than the maximum width L 2  parallel to the first direction  10  of the corresponding transfer module  1240 . 
       FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  2000 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the substrate treating system  2000  includes a process facilities  2200  including a transfer module  2240  and a buffer station  2400  provided between the adjacent transfer modules  2240 . In the substrate treating system  2000  of  FIG. 10 , treating modules  2260  of all the process facilities  2200  are disposed on either a top side or a bottom side of the connection line  50  on which the transfer modules  2240  and the buffer stations  2400  are arranged, not on both sides of the connection line  50 . In this case, with respect to the connection line  50 , an overhead transfer  40  and a guide rail  42  guiding a movement of the overhead transfer  40  are provided only on the opposite side to the side on which the treating modules  2260  are provided.  FIG. 10  shows treating modules  2260  on both sides of the connection line  50  for illustration purposes to show how the treating modules would look on either side of the connection line  50 . However, it should be understood that the embodiment refers to all treating modules  2260  being disposed on a same side of the connection line  50 . 
       FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  3000 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the substrate treating system  3000  includes process facilities  3200  and  3201  including transfer modules  3240  and a buffer station  3400  provided between the adjacent transfer modules  3240 . Some process facilities  3201  include two treating modules  3262  and  3264  without load ports  3220 . For convenience of description, in  FIG. 11 , one of the two treating modules is called a first treating module  3262  and the other of the two treating modules is called a second treating module  3264 . The first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  may have a structure similar to the treating module  1260  of  FIG. 1 . The first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  share a transfer module  3240 . The first treating module  3262 , the transfer module  3240  and the second treating module  3264  are sequentially provided in a line along the second direction  20 . The first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  are symmetrically provided with respect to the transfer module  3240 . In  FIG. 11 , it is illustrated that the first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  have a same structure. However, as an alternative, the first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  may have a different structure from each other. The first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  may perform a same process on the substrate. As an alternative, the first and second treating modules  3262  and  3264  may perform a different process from each other on the substrate. 
       FIG. 12  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  4000 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the substrate treating system  4000  includes process facilities  4201 ,  4202 ,  4203  and  4204  including transfer modules  4240  and buffer stations  4400  provided between adjacent transfer modules  4240 . Treating modules  4261 ,  4262 ,  4263  and  4264  of the process facilities  4201 ,  4202 ,  4203  and  4204  have different structures from one another. The treating module  4261  of the process facility  4201  includes load-lock chambers  4261   a,  a polygonal transfer chamber  426  lb and a plurality of process chambers  4261   c . The treating module  4262  of the processing facility  4202  has a structure where a load-lock chamber  4262   a  and a process chamber  4262   c  are combined with a transfer chamber  4262   b  and the load-lock chamber  4262   a,  the transfer chamber  4262   b  and the process chamber  4262   c  are sequentially provided in a line along the second direction  20 . The treating module  4263  of the process facility  4203  has a structure where a transfer chamber  4263   b  having, for example, a square or rectangular shape is combined with load-lock chambers  4263   a  and process chambers  4263   c  disposed around the transfer chamber  4263   b.  The treating module  4264  of the process facility  4204  has a polygonal transfer chamber  4264   b  and a plurality of process chambers  4264   c  disposed around the transfer chamber  4264   b.  The transfer chamber  4264   b  is directly combined with the transfer module  4244 . The structures of the treating modules  4261 ,  4262 ,  4263  and  4264  illustrated in  FIG. 12  are examples and the treating modules may have various structures. 
     In the case of  FIG. 12 , according to an embodiment, the process facilities  4201 ,  4202  and  4203  may perform a process on the substrate in a vacuum state and the process facility  4204  may perform a process on the substrate in an atmospheric pressure. 
     In  FIG. 12 , the treating modules  4261 ,  4262 ,  4263  and  4264  are provided on both sides of the connection line  50  on which the buffer stations  4400  and the transfer modules  4240  and  4244  are arranged. However, the treating modules  4261 ,  4262 ,  4263  and  4264  may be provided on one side of the connection line  50  as described above in connection with  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 13  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  5000 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , the substrate treating system  5000  includes process facilities  5200  and  5201  including transfer modules  5240  and buffer stations  5400  provided between the adjacent transfer modules  5240 . The process facilities  5201  include a transfer module  5240  and a treating module  5260  without load ports  5220 . 
       FIG. 14  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  6000 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , the substrate treating system  6000  includes process facilities  6201  and  6202  including transfer modules  6240  and buffer stations  6400  provided between the adjacent transfer modules  6240 . Load ports  6220  are provided to the process facilities  6201  including a treating module  6260  disposed on a first side of the connection line  50  on which the transfer modules  6240  and the buffer stations  6400  are arranged, but the load ports  6220  are not provided to the process facilities  6202  disposed on a second side of the connection line  50 . In this case, an overhead transfer  40  and a guide rail  42  guiding a movement of the overhead transfer  40  are provided on only the second side of the connection line  50 . 
     In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the treating modules  5200 ,  5201 ,  6201  and  6202  have a same structure. However, according to an embodiment, the treating modules  5200 ,  5201 ,  6201  and  6202  may have different structures from one another as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As an alternative, in  FIG. 14 , the treating modules disposed on a same side of the connection line  50  may have a same structure as each other, but different structures from the treating modules disposed on another side of the connection line  50 . For example, the treating modules  6201  may have the same structure as each other, and the treating modules  6202  may have a different structure from the treating modules  6201 , but the same structure as each other. 
       FIG. 15  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  7000 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the substrate treating system  7000  includes process facilities  7200  and  7201  including transfer modules  7240  and buffer stations  7400  provided between the adjacent transfer modules  7240 . The substrate treating system  7000  further includes a process treating device  7800 . The process treating device  7800  is combined with a load port  7220  of the process facilities  7201 . A treating module  7260  of the process facility  7201  with which the process treating device  7800  is combined and the process treating device  7800  are located at the opposite sides with respect to the connection line  50 . The process treating device  7800  is combined with load ports  7220  of two process facilities  7201  at the same time. Buffer stations  7400  are not provided between the transfer modules  7240  of the two process facilities  7201  combined with the process treating device  7800 . The two process facilities  7201  are adjacent to each other. 
     According to an embodiment, the process treating device  7800  may be a batch process device performing a process on a plurality of substrates at the same time. For example, a process performed in the process treating device  7800  may be a cleaning process or a strip process. According to an embodiment, like  FIG. 16 , the process treating device  7800  may be a device having a structure similar to or identical to the device disclosed in FIG. 10 of U.S. Published Patent No. 2004/0165973, which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the instant application, and is incorporated by reference herein. 
     A rotation member  7820  rotating a vessel  30  including a substrate according to an internal structure of the process treating device  7800  is provided in the process treating device  7800 . The overhead transfer  40  puts the vessel  30  on the load port  7220  so that an opening of the vessel  30  faces the transfer module  7240 . The process treating device  7800  transfers the vessel  30  to the inside of the process treating device  7800 , rotates the vessel  30  180 degrees, and then unloads the substrate from the vessel  30 . As an alternative, the rotation member rotating the vessel  30  may be provided on the load port  7220  or the overhead transfer  40 . According to an embodiment, the vessel  30  moves to the process treating device  7800  after being placed on the load port  7220  of the process facility  7201  and moves to the load port  7220  of another process facility  7201  after a process is completed in the process treating device  7800 . As an alternative, the substrate may directly be moved to the process treating device  7800  while the vessel  30  remains on the load port  7220 . 
       FIG. 17  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  8000 . The substrate treating system  8000  of  FIG. 17  includes process facilities  8200  and  8201  including transfer modules  8240 , buffer stations  8400 ,  8401  provided between adjacent transfer modules  8240  and process treating devices  8800 , similar to the substrate treating system  7000  of  FIG. 15 . In the substrate treating system  8000 , the buffer station  8401  is provided between the transfer modules  8240  of the process facilities  8201  with which the process treating device  8800  is combined. According to an embodiment, the buffer station  8401  has a structure similar to the buffer station  1401 ,  1402  of  FIG. 5  or  6 . 
       FIG. 18  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  9000 . The substrate treating system  9000  includes process facilities  9200  and  9201  including transfer modules  9240 , buffer stations  9400  provided between adjacent transfer modules  9240  and process treating devices  9800 ,  9801 , similar to the substrate treating system  7000  of  FIG. 15 . In the substrate treating system  9000 , the process treating device  9801  is combined with load ports  9220  of the process facilities  9200  between which the process facility  9201  is disposed. 
       FIG. 19  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  10000 . The substrate treating system  10000  includes process facilities  10200  including transfer modules  10240 , buffer stations  10400  provided between adjacent transfer modules  10240  and process treating devices  10800 , similar to the substrate treating system  7000  of  FIG. 15 . In the substrate treating system  10000 , the process treating device  10800  is combined with a load port  10220  of one process facility  10200 . The process treating device  10800  may be, for example, a device performing a diffusion process. For example, the processing treating device  10800 , like that shown in  FIG. 20 , may be a device having a structure similar to or identical to the device disclosed in FIG. 4 of U.S. Published Patent No. 2008/0255697, which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the instant application, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     A rotation member  10820  rotating a vessel  30  including a substrate according to an internal structure of the process treating device  10800  is provided in the process treating device  10800 . The rotation member  10820  rotates the vessel  30  so that an opening direction of the vessel  30  rotates 180 degrees. As an alternative, the rotation member may be provided at a load port  10200  or an overhead transfer  40 . 
       FIG. 21  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  11000 . The substrate treating system  11000  includes process facilities  11201  and  11202  including transfer modules  11241  and  11242  and buffer stations  11400  and  11401  provided between adjacent transfer modules  11241  and  11242 . The transfer modules  11241  and  11242  and the buffer station  11401  in the substrate treating system  11000  have different combination structures from the transfer module  1240  and the buffer station  1400  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The process facilities  11201  and  11202  include the transfer modules  11241  and  11242  and treating modules  11261  and  11262 , respectively. In the process facility  11201 , the transfer module  11241  and the treating module  11261  are provided along the second direction  20  with respect to each other. In another process facility  11202 , the transfer module  11242  and the treating module  11262  are provided along the first direction  10  with respect to each other. For convenience for description, in  FIG. 21 , the transfer module  11241  is called a first transfer module and the transfer module  11242  is called a second transfer module. 
     According to an embodiment, the buffer station  11401  includes a housing  11420  and a buffer member  11440 . According to an embodiment, the buffer member  11440  has a structure similar to or identical to the buffer member  1440  of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The housing  11420  includes a top surface (not shown), a bottom surface (not shown), a first side  11423 , a second side  11424 , a third side  11425  and a fourth side  11426 . According to an embodiment, the housing  11420  has a rectangular shape or a regular hexahedron shape. The first and third sides  11423  and  11425  face each other and the second and fourth sides  11424  and  11426  face each other. The first side  11423  is perpendicular to the second side  11424 . Openings (not shown) through which the substrate passes and doors (not shown) opening and closing the openings are provided at the first side  11423  and the second side  11424 . The first transfer module  11241  is combined with the first side  11423  and the second transfer module  11242  is combined with the second side  11424 . A transfer of the substrate between the first transfer module  11241  and the second transfer module  11242  is done through the buffer station  11401  disposed between the first and second transfer modules  11241  and  11242 . 
       FIG. 22  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  12000 . Referring to  FIG. 22 , the substrate treating system  12000  includes process facilities  12200  including transfer modules  12241 ,  12242 , and buffer stations  12400  provided between adjacent transfer modules  12241  and  12242 , similar to the substrate treating system  1000  of  FIG. 1 . A load port  12220  is combined with a second sidewall  12254  or a fourth sidewall  12256  of the end transfer modules  12241 , the transfer modules  12241  and  12242  being provided along the connection line. Thus, the load ports  12220  are each provided at ends of the substrate treating system  12000 , and the transfer modules  12241  and  12242  and the buffer stations  12400  are sequentially and alternately provided between the load ports  12220 . A guide rail  42  passing an upper portion of the load port  12220  to face the load ports  12220  is provided and a return device returning a vessel, such as an overhead transfer  40 , moves along the guide rail  42 . Although the connection line is not illustrated in  FIG. 22 , according to an embodiment, the connection line overlaps the guide rail  42 . 
       FIG. 23  is a drawing illustrating another example of a substrate treating system  13000 . Referring to  FIG. 23 , the substrate treating system  13000  includes process facilities  13200  including a transfer module  13240 , and buffer stations  13400  provided between adjacent transfer modules  13240 , similar to the substrate treating system  1000  of  FIG. 1 . Also, treating modules  13260  are alternately disposed on a first side and a second side of the connection line  50 . A first sidewall  13253  of one of the adjacent transfer modules  13240  and a third sidewall  13255  of the other of the adjacent transfer modules  13240  may be located at an equal distance from the connection line  50 . Also, each of the transfer modules  13240  and the buffer stations  13400  may be located at an equal distance from the connection line  50 . 
     In the substrate treating systems described above, it is described that all the process facilities are connected to one another through the buffer stations or the substrate treating devices. According to an embodiment, the process facilities may be organized into groups, and process facilities that belong to a group are connected to one another through the buffer stations. 
     For example, according to an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , process facilities  1200  may be grouped into a first group  1000   a,  and a second group  1000   b.  Process facilities  1200  belonging to the first group  1000   a  are connected to one another through the buffer stations  1400  and process facilities  1200  belonging to the second group  1000   b  are connected to one another through the buffer stations  1400 . A vessel including substrates may be transferred between the process facilities  1200  belonging to the first group  1000   a,  between the process facilities  1200  belonging to the second group  1000   b  and between the process facilities  1200  of the first group  1000   a  and the process facilities  1200  of the second group  1000   b  by a return device such as an overhead transfer, an automatic guided vehicle and a rail guided vehicle, or a worker. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , one or a plurality of process facilities  1209  to which a buffer station is not connected may be independently provided between the first group  1000   a  and the second group  1000   b.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , a plurality of substrate treating systems, such as, for example, those of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 24 , may be provided. The substrate treating systems may be parallel to one another and may be separated from each other along a second direction. 
     Although a substrate treating system having the same structure as the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is illustrated in  FIGS. 24 through 26 , substrate treating systems illustrated other embodiments may be disposed in groups and/or with other substrate systems, like what is shown in  FIGS. 24 through 26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27 through 29 , examples of methods of performing a process on substrates using a substrate treating system including a buffer station are described. For convenience of description, process facilities illustrated in  FIGS. 27 through 29  are sequentially called first process facilities  14201 ,  15201  and  16201 , second process facilities  14202 ,  15202  and  16202  and third process facilities  14203 ,  15203  and  16203 , respectively from left to right. Also, a transfer robot provided to a transfer module of the first process facility  14201 ,  15201  and  16201  and a treating module of the first process facility  14201 ,  15201  and  16201  are called first transfer robots  14271 ,  15271  and  16271  and first treating modules  14261 ,  15261  and  16261 , respectively. A transfer robot provided to a transfer module of the second process facility  14202 ,  15202  and  16202  and a treating module of the second process facility  14202 ,  15202  and  16202  are called second transfer robots  14272 ,  15272  and  16272  and second treating modules  14262 ,  15262  and  16262 , respectively. A transfer robot provided to a transfer module of the third process facility  14203 ,  15203  and  16203  and a treating module of the third process facility  14203 ,  15203  and  16203  are called third transfer robots  14273 ,  15273  and  16273  and third treating modules  14263 ,  15263  and  16263 , respectively. Also, buffer stations illustrated in  FIGS. 27-29  are sequentially called first buffer stations  14401 ,  15401  and  16401  and second buffer stations  14402 ,  15402  and  16402 , respectively from left to right. In  FIG. 29 , an additional process facility illustrated at the farthest right portion of the page is called a fourth process facility  16204 . A transfer robot provided to the fourth process facility  16204  and a treating module of the fourth process facility  16204  are called a fourth transfer robot  16274  and a fourth treating module  16264 , respectively. A buffer station illustrated at the farthest right portion of the page is called a third buffer station  16403 . 
     A case that twenty five substrates are put in a vessel  30  is described as an example, but the number of substrates can be more or less than 25. The twenty five substrates put in the vessel  30  are sequentially called a first substrate, a second substrate, . . . , a twenty-fifth substrate. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a route of the substrates in the substrate treating system  14000 , wherein the process facilities  14201 ,  14202  and  14203  performing a same process are connected to one another through the buffer stations  14401  and  14402 . Four process chambers  14266  are provided to each of the first process facility  14201 , the second process facility  14202  and the third process facility  14203  and a same process is performed in each of the four process chambers  14266 . Thus, twelve process chambers  14266  performing a same process are provided in the substrate treating system  14000 . According to an embodiment, among the twenty five substrates, a process for the first through fourth substrates, the thirteenth through sixteenth substrates and the  25 th substrate is performed in the first treating module  14261 . A process for the fifth through eighth substrates and the seventeenth through twentieth substrates is performed in the second treating module  14262  and a process for the ninth through twelfth substrates and the  21 st through  24 th substrates is performed in the third treating module  14263 . In  FIGS. 27 , a 1 , a 2 , a 3  and a 4  sequentially represent a route of the substrates for which a process is performed in the first treating module  14261 , b 1 , b 2 , b 3  and b 4  sequentially represent a route of the substrates for which a process is performed in the second treating module  14262  and c 1 , c 2 , c 3  and c 4  sequentially represent a route of the substrates for which a process is performed in the third treating module  14263 . 
     The vessel  30  including the substrates is placed on a load port  14221  of the first process facility  14201  by the overhead transfer  40 . 
     The first transfer robot  14271  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the first treating module  14261  from the vessel  30  to the first treating module  14261  and transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the second treating module  14262  and the third treating module  14263  from the vessel  30  to the first buffer station  14401 . Also, the first transfer robot  14271  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the first treating module  14261  to the first buffer station  14401 . 
     If all the substrates are taken out of the vessel  30 , according to an embodiment, the vessel  30  is transferred to a load port  14223  of the third process facility  14203 . 
     The second transfer robot  14272  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the second treating module  14262  from the first buffer station  14401  to the second treating module  14262  and the substrates for which a process will be performed in the third treating module  14263  from the first buffer station  14401  to the second buffer station  14402 . Also, the second transfer robot  14272  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the first treating module  14261  from the first buffer station  14401  to the second buffer station  14402  and the substrates for which a process was completed in the second treating module  14262  from the second treating module  14262  to the second buffer station  14402 . 
     The third transfer robot  14273  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the third treating module  14263  from the second buffer station  14402  to the third treating module  14263 . Also, the third transfer robot  14273  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the first treating module  14261  and the second treating module  14262  from the second buffer station  14402  to the vessel  30  placed on the load port  14223  of the third process facility  14203 . The third transfer robot  14273  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the third treating module  14263  from the third treating module  14263  to the vessel  30  placed on the load port  14223  of the third process facility  14203 . 
     When the substrates are transferred from the vessel  30  to the first buffer station  14401 , from the first buffer station  14401  to the second buffer station  14402  and from the second buffer station  14402  to the vessel  30 , each of the first, second and third robots  14271 ,  14272  and  14273  may transfer a plurality of the substrates at the same time. 
     According to the method of treating the substrate of  FIG. 27 , since in the plurality of process facilities  14201 ,  14202  and  14203 , processes can be performed on the substrates assigned to each of the process facilities  14201 ,  14202  and  14203  at the same time, the time required to perform a process on all of the substrates provided to the vessel  30  can be reduced. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates a route of the substrates in the substrate treating system  15000 . The process facilities  15201 ,  15202  and  15203  each performing a different process, and are connected to one another through the buffer stations  15401  and  15402 . 
     The first process facility  15201 , the second process facility  15202  and the third process facility  15203  sequentially perform processes on a substrate. In  FIG. 28 , d 1 , d 2 , d 3 , d 4 , d 5  and d 6  sequentially represent a route of the substrates. In the substrate treating system  15000  of  FIG. 28 , a process is sequentially performed on the substrates provided to the vessel  30  in a first treating module  15261 , a second treating module  15262  and a third treating module  15263 . 
     First, the vessel  30  including the substrates is placed on a load port  15221  of the first process facility  15201  by the overhead transfer  40 . 
     A first transfer robot  15271  transfers the substrates from the vessel  30  to the first treating module  15261 . According to an embodiment, if all the substrates in the vessel  30  are transferred to the first treating module  15261 , the vessel  30  is transferred to a load port  15223  of the third process facility  15203  by the overhead transfer  40 . The substrates for which a process is completed in the first treating module  15261  are first transferred to the first buffer station  15401  by the first transfer robot  15271 . A second transfer robot  15272  transfers the substrates in the first buffer station  15401  to the second treating module  15262 . The substrates for which a process is completed in the second treating module  15262  are transferred to the second buffer station  15402 . A third transfer robot  15273  transfers the substrates in the second buffer station  15402  to the third treating module  15263 . The substrates for which a process is completed in the third treating module  15263  are transferred to the vessel  30 . According to an embodiment, some of the substrates may move through the system  15000  faster than other substrates. Accordingly, processing on some of the substrates may be completed before processing on other substrates. 
     According to the method of treating the substrates of  FIG. 28 , since the substrates can be moved independent of each other between the process facilities  15201 ,  15202  and  15203  using the buffer stations  15401  and  15402 , another process can be performed on a substrate without waiting until a specific process is completed on all of the other substrates in the vessel  30 . Also, since the substrates can be independently transferred to the process facilities  15201 ,  15202  and  15203  through the buffer stations  15401  and  15402 , the time required to transfer the substrates may be reduced compared with when the substrates are transferred between the process facilities  15201 ,  15202  and  15203  using the overhead transfer  40 . 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a route of the substrates in the substrate treating system  16000 . The process facilities  16201 ,  16202 ,  16203  and  16204  either perform same processes or different processes from each other and are connected to one another through the buffer stations  16401 ,  16402  and  16403 . For example, according to an embodiment, the first and third process facilities  16201  and  16203  perform a same process on the substrates as each other. The second and fourth process facilities  16202  and  16204  perform a different process than the first and third process facilities, and a same process on the substrates as each other. Also, according to an embodiment, the second process facility  16202  performs a process on the substrates that is a subsequent process with respect to the process performed in the first process facility  16201 . 
     Four process chambers  16266  are provided to each of the first process facility  16201  and the third process facility  16203 . Two process chambers  16267  are provided to each of the second process facility  16202  and the fourth process facility  16204 . According to an embodiment, a time required to perform a process on one substrate in the process chamber  16267  of the second process facility  16202  may be less than a time required to perform a process on one substrate in the process chamber  16266  of the first process facility  16201 . 
     Among the twenty five substrates, a process for the first through fourth substrates, the ninth through twelfth substrates, the seventeenth through 20th substrates and the 25th substrate is sequentially performed in the first treating module  16261  and the second treating module  16262 . A process for the fifth through eighth substrates, the thirteenth through sixteenth substrates and the 21st through 24th substrates is sequentially performed in the third treating module  14263  and the fourth treating module  16264 . In  FIG. 29 , e 1 , e 2 , e 3 , e 4 , e 5  and e 6  sequentially represent a route of the substrates for which a process is performed in the first treating module  16261  and the second treating module  16262  and f 1 , f 2 , f 3 , f 4 , f 5  and f 6  sequentially represent a route of the substrates for which a process is performed in the third treating module  16263  and the fourth treating module  16264 . 
     The vessel  30  including the substrates is placed on a load port  16221  of the first process facility  16201  by the overhead transfer  40 . 
     The first transfer robot  16271  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the first treating module  16261  and the second treating module  16262  from the vessel  30  to the first treating module  16261  and transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the third treating module  16263  and the fourth treating module  16264  from the vessel  30  to the first buffer station  16401 . Also, the first transfer robot  16271  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the first treating module  16261  to the first buffer station  16401 . 
     According to an embodiment, if all the substrates are taken out of the vessel  30 , the vessel  30  is transferred to a load port  16224  of the fourth process facility  16204 . 
     The second transfer robot  16272  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the third treating module  16263  and the fourth treating module  16264  from the first buffer station  16401  to the second buffer station  16402 . Also, the second transfer robot  16272  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the first treating module  16261  from the first buffer station  16401  to the second treating module  16262  and the substrates for which a process was completed in the second treating module  16262  from the second treating module  16262  to the third buffer station  16403 . 
     The third transfer robot  16273  transfers the substrates for which a process will be performed in the third treating module  16263  and the fourth treating module  16264  from the second buffer station  16402  to the third treating module  16263 . Also, the third transfer robot  16273  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the second treating module  16262  from the second buffer station  16402  to the third buffer station  16403 . The third transfer robot  16273  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the third treating module  16263  to the third buffer station  16403 . 
     The fourth transfer robot  16274  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the third treating module  16263  from the third buffer station  16403  to the fourth treating module  16264 . Also, the fourth transfer robot  16274  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the fourth treating module  16264  from the fourth treating module  16264  to the vessel  30  placed on the load port  16224  of the fourth process facility  16204 . The fourth transfer robot  16274  transfers the substrates for which a process was completed in the second treating module  16262  from the third buffer station  16403  to the vessel  30  placed on the load port  16224  of the fourth process facility  16204 . 
     According to the embodiments of the present inventive concept, a substrate transfer between process facilities may be effectively performed. 
     According to the embodiments of the present inventive concept, a limited space of clean room in which a plurality of process facilities is installed may be effectively used. 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that the present inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept.