Patent ID: 7604449

Claim:
An equipment front end module (EFEM) system, comprising: an enclosure having two or more load ports located outside the enclosure, wherein each load port is adapted to receive a front opening unified pod (FOUP) from an automated materials handling system (AMHS), wherein each of said load ports includes a loading mechanism located outside the enclosure adjacent a wall of the enclosure, wherein the loading mechanism is configured to rotate a FOUP received from the automated materials handling system (AMHS), such that a front opening of the FOUP lines up with an opening in the wall of the enclosure, wherein said two or more load ports include first and second load ports that are arranged in a configuration other than a side-by-side configuration, and wherein a storage location is located at a corner of the enclosure between two of the load ports; a robot within the enclosure, wherein the robot is configured to move work pieces between the FOUP(s) and one or more work piece processing tools proximate the enclosure; wherein said load ports are positioned relative to said robot such that said robot can move the work pieces between said one or more work piece processing tools and a FOUP at each load port with R-theta motion or linear motion with respect to two axes while the FOUP remains outside the enclosure.