Patent ID: 6991710

Claim:
An apparatus for processing microelectronic workpieces, comprising; a plurality of processing stations; an enclosure disposed proximate to at least one of the processing stations, the enclosure having an access aperture positioned to allow manual access to all the processing stations from a single side of the apparatus during operation; an input/output station configured to support at least one microelectronic workpiece for automatic transfer to and from the processing stations; and a transfer device positioned proximate to the input/output station and the processing stations, the transfer device being automatically movable to transfer microelectronic workpieces between the input/output station and the processing stations; wherein at least one of the processing stations includes: a processing vessel configured to provide a processing fluid; and a support movably positioned proximate to the processing vessel and configured to carry the microelectronic workpiece, the support being moveable between a process position, a first transferring position spaced apart from the process position and a second transferring position spaced apart from the process position and the first transferring position, wherein the support is oriented to carry the microelectronic workpiece in contact with a processing fluid when the processing fluid is in the vessel and the support is in the process position, the support being oriented to receive the microelectronic workpiece from the transfer device when the support is in the first transferring position, and the support being positioned to receive the microelectronic workpiece manually from the user when the support is in the second transferring position, the support being configured to selectively stop its motion at the first and second transferring positions.