Patent ID: 7833393

Claim:
An electroplating apparatus comprising: a cassette table for loading/unloading a cassette containing a wafer therein; a wafer holder including a first holding member having a first conductive element and a second holding member having a second conductive element, said first and second holding members for holding the wafer therebetween, wherein said first conductive element is configured to supply electricity to said second conductive element and said second conductive element is configured to supply the electricity from said first conductive element to the wafer being held between said first holding member and said second holding member; a wafer loading/unloading station configured to support said wafer holder for loading and unloading of the wafer to and from said wafer holder; a wafer transfer robot for transferring the wafer between said cassette table and said wafer loading/unloading station; wherein said wafer loading/unloading station is arranged so as to be within movable range of said wafer transfer robot so that said wafer transfer robot is able to transfer the wafer to and from said wafer holder supported on said wafer loading/unloading station; a plating bath configured to accommodate said wafer holder holding the wafer vertically and for holding a solution for plating an exposed surface of a side of the wafer; and a holder transfer robot for transferring said wafer holder, said holder transfer robot being movable between said plating bath and said wafer loading/unloading station.