Patent ID: 7648327

Claim:
A module having a workpiece engine for moving a workpiece, comprising: an equipment front end module (EFEM) having a plurality of port doors along a horizontal axis; a slide body disposed in the EFEM substantially enclosing a first drive mechanism, said first drive mechanism for moving an end effector between a retracted position and an extended position, the slide body moveably attached to a rail extending along a surface below the plurality of port doors, and an elevator, including: a horizontally oriented base having a proximal end and a distal end; a rotational drive coupled with said distal end of said base, said rotational drive for rotating said base about a vertical theta axis; a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to said slide body; a single vertical column extending from said proximal end of said base to a distal end, said single vertical column offset from and rotating about said vertical theta axis, said single vertical column enclosing a second drive mechanism for moving said support member vertically between said base and said distal end of said single vertical column, wherein the second end of the support member is secured to the second drive mechanism.