Patent ID: 7226269

Claim:
A system for processing semiconductor substrates comprising: a chamber comprising at least one substrate transfer passage formed in the chamber and a slit valve adapted to selectively seal the transfer passage; a robot adapted for substrate transfer, the robot being disposed within the chamber and having an end effector; a gripper assembly coupled to the robot and configured to retain a circular semiconductor substrate on the end effector, the gripper assembly being mechanically actuatable by a structure remote from the robot and end effector during substrate transfer; wherein the gripper assembly comprises: at least two rotatable jaws, one jaw being positioned laterally on either side of the robot end effector; a mounting bracket adapted for mounting each of the at least two jaws to a portion of the robot end effector; and a biasing member disposed between each of the at least two jaws and the mounting brackets, adapted for urging the at least two jaws to rotate about an axis substantially normal to the robot end effector; wherein the system further comprises: a striker plate positioned adjacent the transfer passage to engage the gripper assembly as the end effector is moved through the passage, the striker plate being positionable along a direction defined by an axis of extension of the end effector through the passage; and a mounting block coupled to at least one of the chamber and slit valve, the block having a threaded hole for receiving a stud extending from the striker plate.