Patent Abstract:
A mini-modular manufacturing environmental chamber for processing and transporting semiconductor devices is disclosed. The cylindrical chamber is provided with a conveyer assembly that transports items within the chamber and divides the interior into two sections. Also included within the chamber are a power and control bus for process equipment located therein and a mounting assembly for securing the process equipment. Multiple environmental chambers can be connected by interconnect units and the chambers can be arranged in rows and columns to produce an array of manufacturing chambers useful for various semiconductor and microelectronic machine manufacture (MEMS) processing steps.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of co-pending provisional application Serial No. 60/225,071, filed Aug. 14, 2000. Application Ser. No. 60/225,071 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a modular manufacturing environmental chamber, and more particularly, to a modular manufacturing environmental chamber used for semiconductor manufacturing or microelectronic machine manufacturing (MEMS). 
     2. Background Information 
     The manufacture of semiconductor components and devices has seen many changes and innovations in recent years. As semiconductor devices have become smaller in size with greater circuit density, manufacturing methods require careful control of the environment where processing takes place to prevent contamination of the semiconductors by particulates. To address this problem, manufacturers have devised clean rooms where processing of semiconductors occurs. These clean rooms are expensive to prepare, maintain and operate, plus individuals entering the clean room must wear special clothing to prevent contamination of the work pieces. Also, moving semiconductor work pieces from one process to the next entails transporting devices that adds cost and complexity to the process. 
     A number of patents concerned with clean rooms and various conveyers and transfer systems have been granted. Tanaka, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,830, describes a tunnel for transferring semiconductor wafers that includes two tunnel zones. A carrier holding the wafer is located in one zone while a driving assembly in the second tunnel zone moves the attached carrier. Clean air flows into the zone containing the carrier and then to the zone with the driving assembly. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,927, Southworth et al. disclose a conveyor system for transferring a cassette of semiconductor wafers between clean rooms. The system includes an elevator in each room that takes the cassette to a pressurized horizontal conveyer where the load moves on a driven cart which straddles, and is magnetically coupled to, an enclosed driver cart. FIG. 3 shows the details of the driver cart that magnetically moves the outer driven cart. Additionally, a turntable system for changing directions of travel is described and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. 
     Iwasawa et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,360, describe a transfer system with a pod for containing a wafer cassette. The pod is located in a transfer tube and is moved by differences in air pressure within the tube. The tube is shown as being square. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,866, Melgaard discloses a conveyer for clean rooms that includes parallel housings with moveable rods between the housings. The rods move by mechanical means within the housings. A negative pressure inside the housings pulls air and particles to the interior thereof. 
     Scott et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,365, disclose a circular semiconductor manufacturing facility with a central circular silo and surrounding clean rooms. The silo is used for storing and transferring wafers to clean rooms disposed radially around the silo at each floor. FIGS. 2 and 3 show wafer storage and transfer in the circular silo section. 
     Sinclair et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,512, describe a mini-environment for hazardous process tools. The enclosure permits open access to the work area from outside and prevents toxic substances from escaping the enclosure. A higher pressure region within the enclosure near the access aperture keeps particles out and toxic materials in. A pair of overlapping moveable plates with holes control air flow within the enclosure. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,791, Long et al. disclose a clean room conduit that is modular to be adapted for various distances between multiple clean rooms. Each module system has a perforated floor for exhausting air and contaminants. Each module also has a filter for supplying recirculated clean air to the module. The modules have a conveyer track that hangs from the top and include a product carrier in a car assembly for transport of wafers in the product carrier. 
     Thus, there is an unmet need for a system that can economically process and transport semiconductor devices while maintaining controlled environment conditions to prevent contamination to these devices. Applicant has devised such a system which overcomes the difficulties encountered by the above inventions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a modular manufacturing environmental chamber, including a hollow cylindrical member of selected outside diameter and length having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the cylindrical member with a longitudinal axis there through, and having first and second ends. Positioning members are secured to the cylindrical member exterior surface adjacent each end thereof, with the positioning members maintaining the cylindrical member in a static orientation. A chamber conveyor assembly is positioned within the hollow cylindrical member and includes a planar material movement plate member sized to linearly divide the hollow cylindrical member interior into a conveyer system section and a controlled environment section by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface with two opposite edges of the plate member. A pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis for supporting the planar plate member. A conveyer system is secured to one surface of the planar plate member facing the conveyer system section, while a linear rail guide member is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member facing the controlled environment section, with the linear rail guide member parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis. 
     A linear power and control bus member is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface within the controlled environment section, with the linear power and control bus member positioned parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis. The linear power and control bus member is in electrical communication with devices exterior the cylindrical member. A means for connecting the hollow cylindrical member to other environmental chambers or for sealing the hollow cylindrical member to ambient environment is also present. 
     The invention also includes a modular manufacturing environmental chamber assembly comprising a plurality of modular manufacturing environmental chambers in communication by means of an interconnect chamber member having at least two open ends sealably connected to one open end of a hollow cylindrical member of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber. The interconnect chamber member includes an interconnect chamber conveyor assembly positioned within the interconnect chamber member, with the interconnect chamber conveyor assembly adapted for moving items from one modular manufacturing environmental chamber, through the interconnect chamber member and to another modular manufacturing environmental chamber. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of an environmental chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective elevational view of a sealing access panel of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of the chamber conveyer assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chamber conveyer assembly of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the environmental chamber with the planar plate member position therein. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the environmental chamber showing the power and control bus with attached transformers of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective elevational partial view of the linear elevational locking track members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 a  is a top view of the mounting assembly including the locking tracks holding multiple locking bars. 
     FIG. 8 b  is a closeup view of portions of the locking tracks of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 c  is a closeup view of the ends of two different locking bars of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective elevational view of a connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective elevational view of the interconnect chamber conveyer assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of another connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is another cross sectional view of the connecting chamber of FIG. 11 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective elevational view of yet another connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Nomenclature 
       5  Modular Manufacturing Environmental Chamber 
       10  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       15  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       20  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       25  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       30  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       40  Cylinder Positioning Member 
       45  Positioning Block Members 
       47  Flat Surface of Block Members 
       50  Chamber Conveyer Assembly 
       55  Planar Material Movement Plate Member 
       60  Opposite Edges of Planar Plate Member 
       70  Conveyer System Section 
       80  Controlled Environment Section 
       90  Linear Bumper Rail Members 
       100  Conveyer System Assembly 
       110  Linear Rail Guide Member 
       120  Linear Power and Control Bus Member 
       122  Plug Members 
       124  Power Transformers 
       125  End Sealing Means 
       130  Flat Plate Sealing Member 
       135  Sealable Access Panel Member 
       140  Linear Elevational Locking Track Members 
       145  Mounting Apertures of Locking Track Members 
       150  Locking Bar Member 
       155  First End of Locking Bar Member 
       160  Second End of Locking Bar Member 
       165  Mounting Peg Members of Bar Members 
       170  Toothed Bar Members 
       175  Power Strip Members 
       180  DC Stepping Motors 
       185  Gear Member of Stepping Motor 
       200  End Conveyer Unit 
       205  Conveyer Belt Member 
       210  Belt Mounting Pulleys 
       215  DC Stepping Motors 
       220  Flat Surface of Belt Member 
       250  Central Conveyer Unit 
       255  Endless Conveyer Belt Member 
       260  Belt Mounting Pulleys 
       265  DC Stepping Motor 
       270  Flat Surface of Belt Member 
       1005  Interconnecting Environmental Chamber 
       1010  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       1015  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1020  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1025  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1030  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1040  Cylinder Positioning Member 
       1045  Positioning Block Members 
       1047  Flat Surface of Block Members 
       1050  Chamber Conveyer Assembly 
       1055  Planar Material Movement Plate Member 
       1060  Opposite Edges of Planar Plate Member 
       1070  Conveyer System Section 
       1080  Controlled Environment Section 
       1090  Linear Bumper Rail Members 
       1100  Conveyer System Assembly 
       1110  Linear Rail Guide Member 
       1205  Interconnect Chamber Member 
       1210  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       1215  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1220  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1225  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1226  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1230  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1231  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1250  Chamber Conveyer Assembly 
       1255  Magnetically Driven Belt Member 
       1260  Belt Track Member 
       1270  Magnetic Solenoid Members 
       1280  Central Elevator Aperture 
       1405  Interconnect Chamber Member 
       1410  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       1415  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1420  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       1425  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1426  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1427  First End of Cylindrical Member 
       1430  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1431  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1432  Second End of Cylindrical Member 
       1450  Chamber Conveyer Assembly 
       1455  Magnetically Driven Belt Member 
       1460  Belt Track Member 
       1470  Magnetic Solenoid Members 
       1480  Central Elevator Aperture 
       1490  Central Elevator Member 
       1495  Push Arm Member 
     Construction 
     In FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present modular manufacturing environmental chamber invention is shown. Referring to FIG. 1, the modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  includes a hollow cylindrical member  10  of selected length L, selected outside diameter D 0 , and having an interior surface  15  and an exterior surface  20 . The cylindrical member  10  has a longitudinal axis A there through, and the cylindrical member  10  has an open first end  25  and an open second end  30 . Positioning members  40  are secured to the cylindrical member exterior surface  20  adjacent each end  25 ,  30 , with the positioning members  40  maintaining the cylindrical member  10  in a static orientation. 
     The positioning members  40  preferably include a pair of block members  45 , with one block member  45  at each end of the hollow cylindrical member  10 . Each block member  45  of the pair has a mutually coplanar flat surface  47  opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  20  for maintaining the cylindrical member  10  in a static orientation on a support surface. The pair of block members  45  support and elevate the cylindrical member  10  of the modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  on a flat surface. 
     The positioning members  40  most preferably includes four pairs of block members  45 , one block member  45  of each pair at each end of the hollow cylindrical member  10 . Each pair of block members  45  has mutually coplanar flat surfaces  47 , opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  20 , with each block member flat surface  47 , opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  20 , oriented at 90 degrees to an adjacent block member flat surface  47  opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  20 . The block member flat surfaces  47  opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  20  maintain the cylindrical member  10  in a static orientation relative to a support surface and to similar modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  positioned adjacent thereto. The four pairs of block members  45  allow for formation of rows of modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  on a support surface, as well as columns of modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  stacked upon each other, thereby forming an array of modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  for nanomanufacturing purposes. 
     Within each hollow cylindrical member  10  is positioned a chamber conveyer assembly  50 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The conveyer assembly  50  includes a planar material movement plate member  55  sized to linearly divide the hollow cylindrical member interior volume into a conveyer system section  70  and a controlled environment section  80 , as depicted in FIG.  5 . Preferably the controlled environment section  80  is larger than the conveyer system section  70 . The division of interior volume is achieved by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface  15  with two opposite edges  60  of the planar plate member  55 . The planar plate member  55  is sized to extend the length L of the hollow cylindrical member  10  and is supported and held in position by a pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members  90  affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface  15  and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. 
     A conveyer system assembly  100  is secured to one surface of the planar plate member  55  facing the conveyer system section  70 , and a linear rail guide member  110  is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member  55  facing the controlled environment section  80 . The linear rail guide member  110  is oriented parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a linear power and control bus member  120  is shown in more detail. The bus member  120  contains multiple plug members  122  for providing electrical power, transmitting data to and from the chamber  5 , and for controlling devices within the chamber  5 . There is also provided electrical transformers  124  to supply suitably controlled electrical power to various power plugs on the bus member  120 . The electrical transformers  124  are mounted exterior the chamber  5  so as to minimize impact on the environment control section  80  and for better heat dissipation from the transformers  124 . 
     The linear power and control bus member  120  is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface  15  within the controlled environment section  80 . The linear power and control bus member  120  is also oriented parallel with the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A and in electrical communication with devices exterior the cylindrical member  10 . 
     Also provided is a means  125  for sealing the hollow cylindrical member first end  25  and second end  30  to an ambient environment. The sealing means  125  may be a flat plate member  130 , one fastened at each end of the hollow cylindrical member  10 , or may include a connecting member  1005 , described later, for interconnecting two or more modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5 . 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  may also include a sealable access panel member  135  for gaining access to the hollow cylindrical member interior volume. The sealable access panel  135  comprises a removable radial section of the cylindrical member  10 , extending a portion of the cylindrical member length L. The access panel  135  allows various third party devices to be conveniently inserted into and removed from the controlled environment section  80  of the interior volume of the hollow cylindrical member  10 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a further embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in FIG. 7, a pair of parallel, linear elevational locking track members  140  are affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface  15  within the controlled environment section  80 . The linear elevational locking track members  140  are oriented parallel with the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. FIG.  8  is atop view of the linear elevational locking track members  140 , showing the mounting apertures  145  in each track member  140 . Locking bar members  150 , having a first end  155  and a second end  160 , are adapted to connect at the first end  155  to one linear elevational locking track member  140  and at the second end  160  to the other linear elevational locking track member  140 . The locking bar members  150  have mounting pegs  165  at each end that fit into corresponding mounting apertures  145  in each track member  140 . Multiple locking bar members  150  can be mounted on track members  140  within a modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5 . The locking bar members  150  can be manually positioned between the track members  140  at the desired locations. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the placement and movement of the locking bar members  150  on the track members  140  can be automated. Each track members  140  is provided with a toothed edge  170  opposite the cylindrical member interior surface  15 , as shown in FIG. 8 b . One or both track members  140  is provided with a power strip  175 . The locking bar member  150  is provided a DC stepping motor  180 , having a gear member  185  that engages the toothed edge  170  of the track member  140 . Providing suitable current to the power strip  175  activates the stepping motor  180 , turning the gear member  185  to move the locking bar member  150  in a selected direction. The locking bar member  150  does not have mounting pegs but is held in place by the gear member  185  of the stepping motor  180  secured to the locking bar member  150 . 
     Again referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyer system assembly  100  is shown in detail. The assembly  100  includes two end conveyer units  200  and a central unit  250 , each individually controlled. The central unit includes a single endless conveyer belt member  255  mounted around a pair of pulleys  260  that are rotatably secured to DC stepping motors  265  each secured to the surface of the planar plate member  55 . The rotational axis of the pulleys  260  are perpendicular to the planar plate member  55  and centered under the linear rail guide member  110 . The conveyer belt member  255  is preferably fabricated from an elastomeric material with magnetic properties. This feature allows items located on the side of the planar plate member  55  opposite the conveyer system assembly  100  to be moved by magnetic attraction to the conveyer belt  255 , while maintaining a clean environment in the controlled environment section  80 . 
     The conveyer belt member  255  is held with its larger flat surface  270  perpendicular to the surface of the planar plate member  55  facing the conveyer system section  70 , and the belt member  255  is centered beneath the linear rail guide member  110 . When the conveyer belt member  255  rotates, the belt member  255  moves only in one direction on each side of the linear rail guide member  110 . Thus, items on one side of the linear rail guide member  110  move in one direction, while items on the other side of the linear rail guide member  110  move in the opposite direction. 
     The end conveyer units  200  are each composed of pairs of smaller conveyer belt members  205 , each belt mounted on separate sets of pulleys  210 , at least one of which is secured to a separate DC stepping motor  215 . The pulleys  210  and DC stepping motor  215  are each secured to the surface of the planar plate member  55 . The pairs of conveyer belt members  205  of each end unit  200  are mounted with a flat surface  220  parallel the planar plate member  55  and with one conveyer belt member  205  of the pair aligned with one side of the central unit conveyer belt member  255 , and the other conveyer belt member  205  of the pair aligned with the other side of the central unit conveyer belt member  255 . Each conveyer belt member  205  of an end unit pair moves in opposite directions and matches the direction of movement of the central unit conveyer belt member  255 , with which each is aligned. Thus, items on one side of the linear rail guide member  110  move in one direction the full length of the planar plate member  55  and items on the opposite side of the liner rail guide member  110  move in the opposite direction the full length of the planar plate member  55 . 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, a two-way interconnect chamber member  1005  is shown in FIG.  9 . The chamber  1005  includes a hollow cylindrical member  1010 , having open ends  1025  and  1030  that are sized to connect with either of the open ends  25  or  30  of the modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  described above. Similar positioning members  1040  preferably include block members  1045  secured to the exterior surface  1020  of the interconnect chamber  1005  to hold the chamber  1005  in a static orientation and provide for placement of the chamber  1005  in rows and/or columns when connected to similarly configured modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5 . Preferably, the block members  1045  include mutually coplanar flat surfaces  1047  opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface  1020 . 
     A similar chamber conveyer assembly  1050  is present within each hollow cylindrical member  1010 . The chamber conveyer assembly  1050  includes a planar material movement plate member  1055  sized to linearly divide the interconnect chamber hollow cylindrical member interior volume into a conveyer system section  1070  and a controlled environment section  1080 . Preferably the controlled environment section  1080  is larger than the conveyer system section  1070 . The division is achieved by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface  1015  with two opposite edges  1060  of the planar plate member  1055 . The planar plate member  1055  is sized to extend the length L of the hollow cylindrical member  1010  and is supported and held in position by a pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members  1090  affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface  1015  and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A, as shown in FIG. 5 for the chamber cylindrical member  10 . A conveyer system assembly  1100  is secured to one surface of the planar plate member  1055  facing the conveyer system section  1070 , and a linear rail guide member  1110  is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member  1055  facing the controlled environment section  1080 . The linear rail guide member  1110  is oriented parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. 
     The interconnect chamber  1005  differs from the modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  in that power for the conveyer system assembly  1100  is obtained from the modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  to which the interconnect chamber  1005  is attached. Similarly, no linear power and control bus member is needed since the interconnect chamber  1005  functions to transport items there through and to change the direction and/or elevation of items traveling along a miniature manufacturing line. No end sealing means is needed either since another function of the interconnect chamber  1005  is to connect two modular manufacturing environmental chambers  5  which are sealed at their terminal ends. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, a bi-directional or four-way interconnect chamber member  1205  is shown from above in cross-sectional view. The interconnect chamber member  1205  includes two intersecting hollow cylindrical members  1210  each having opposed open ends  1225 ,  1230  and  1226 ,  1231 , oriented at 90° relative to either adjacent open end. The open ends  1225 ,  1230  and  1226 ,  1231 , are sized to sealably connect with either open end  25 ,  30  of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  described above. No position members are required on the four-way interconnect chamber member  1205  since when in use, the chamber member  1205  is connected to at least two environmental chambers  5 , each having cylinder position members  40 , which provides support for the assembly. Any open end of the interconnect chamber member  1205  not connected to an environmental chamber  5  is sealed with an end sealing means  125  to close the assembly. 
     The interconnect chamber member  1205  contains a magnetically driven movement belt assembly  1250  which transfers work pieces from one interconnect chamber open end to any of the three other interconnect chamber open ends. The belt assembly  1250  includes a continuous flexible magnetically driven belt member  1255  that is fabricated from a solid composite material. The belt member  1255  is positioned at the same height as the material movement plate member  55  located in an attached modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  described above. This alignment allows for facile movement of work pieces between the attached chamber  5  and the interconnect chamber  1205 . The belt member  1255  is preferably fabricated from rubber or synthetic materials with the under side thereof containing uniform magnetic north/south zones. The belt member edges and under side are preferably coated with Teflon or other non-friction producing material, allowing the belt member  1250  to slide freely on a track member  1260  which shapes and limits belt member movement, as depicted in FIG. 11. A series of magnetic solenoids  1270  located below the track member  1260  in the interconnect chamber  1205  are used to control bi-directional movement of the belt member  1255 , as illustrated in FIG.  12 . The track assembly  1250  is designed with a central elevator aperture  1280  present, which is employed in a six-way interconnect chamber  1405 , as described below. 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, a six-way interconnect chamber  1405  is shown. The six-way interconnect chamber  1405  includes three intersecting hollow cylindrical members  1410  that are all mutually perpendicular. Each hollow cylindrical member  1410  has opposed open ends  1425 ,  1430 ,  1426 ,  1431  and  1427 ,  1432 , each oriented at 90° relative to any adjacent open end. The open ends  1425 ,  1430 ,  1426 ,  1431 , and  1427 ,  1432  are sized to sealingly connect with either open end  25 ,  30  of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber  5  described above. No position members are required on the six-way interconnect chamber member  1405 , since when in use, the chamber member  1405  is connected to at least two environmental chambers  5 , each having cylinder position members  40 , which provide support. 
     The interconnect chamber member  1405  contains a magnetically driven movement belt assembly  1450  which transfers work pieces from one interconnect chamber open end to any of the three other interconnect chamber open ends on a horizontal plane. The belt assembly  1450  is the same as the belt assembly  1250  described above for the four-way interconnect chamber  1205  and will not be described further. The track assembly  1450  is designed with a central elevator aperture  1480  present for installation of an elevator member  1490  to move work pieces vertically. The elevator member  1490  is any commercial third party elevator that meets requirements for clean environments, size and speed, with the elevator moving vertically in either direction to transfer work pieces from one chamber to another. A commercial third party robotic push arm member  1495  is mounted to the chamber inner wall to push work pieces to and from the elevator member  1490 . Optionally, guide rails may be employed to control the path of the work pieces to and from the elevator member  1490 . Of course, a second interconnect chamber member  1405  is mounted atop the first interconnect chamber member  1405  with an interconnecting elevator member  1490  for transferring work pieces between two environmental chambers  5  on separate levels. One or more of the interconnect chamber member open ends  1425 ,  1430 ,  1426 ,  1431 , and  1427 ,  1432  can be sealed with an end cap  1433  as required, as shown in FIG.  13 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8