Patent ID: 8316531

Claim:
A semiconductor device fabrication process using a clamping apparatus including a main body, a support plate partially coupled to the main body and wherein the support plate is movable vertically, a fixed gripper coupled and fixed onto the main body, and a movable gripper disposed on the main body, wherein the main body is disk-shaped and rotates on its center axis, and wherein the main body comprises a space through which the support plate passes vertically and wherein the movable gripper is movable horizontally, the process comprising: picking up a semiconductor substrate; moving the semiconductor substrate to the clamping apparatus using a pick-up arm; raising the support plate above the main body; placing the semiconductor substrate down on the support plate using the pick-up arm; lowering the support plate; moving the movable gripper horizontally to clamp the semiconductor substrate on the support plate; and raising the pick-up arm.