Patent ID: 6976822

Claim:
A passive end-effector for handling a microelectronic workpiece having a perimeter edge circumscribing a first diameter, comprising: a body having a plurality of contact sites located along a circle corresponding to the first diameter of the workpiece, the contact sites including at least a first contact site, a second contact site and a third contact site, wherein the first and second contact sites are on a semicircle of the circle and the third contact site is on an opposing semicircle of the circle; a plurality of passive retainers carried by the body including at least a first retainer at the first contact site, a second retainer at the second contact site and a third retainer at the third contact site, each retainer including an inclined surface that slopes downwardly toward a central region of the circle to support an edge of the workpiece, wherein the inclined surfaces are arranged to hold the workpiece in a plane spaced apart from the body; and a sensor carried by the body, the sensor having a moveable pin with a contact region at least partially within the circle, wherein the pin moves generally transverse to the plane as the workpiece is loaded on and unloaded from the end-effector.