Abstract:
A system for transporting articles. The transport system includes a conveyor system which includes a transport device for carrying articles between workstations and a drive rail and a support rail for supporting the transport device. The drive rail includes a drive system for propelling the transport device between workstations. At least one shoe carried by the transport device rides on the support rail for movably supporting the transport device on the support rail. The transport system also includes a protective container including a housing having an interior compartment for supporting a plurality of articles. The bottom surface of the housing is configured to engage the drive system such that actuation of the drive system propels the housing along the drive and support rails. At least one shoe carried by the housing is configured to ride on the support rail of the conveyor system to movably support the housing on the support rail. The transport system also includes the method of transporting articles including the steps of providing a transport device for holding at least one article and having at least one shoe, positioning the transport device with the base of the device supported on a drive rail and the shoe supported on a support rail, and actuating a drive system carried by the drive rail to propel the transport device along the drive rail and support rail.
Abstract:
A system for transporting articles. The transport system includes a conveyor system which includes a transport carrier for carrying one or more articles between workstations and a drive rail and a support rail for supporting the transport carrier. The drive rail includes a drive system for propelling the transport carrier between workstations. At least one shoe carried by the transport carrier rides on the support rail for movably supporting the transport carrier on the support rail. The transport system may also includes a protective container including a housing having an interior compartment for supporting one or more articles. The bottom surface of the housing is configured to engage the drive system such that actuation of the drive system propels the housing along the drive and support rails. At least one shoe carried by the housing is configured to ride on the support rail of the conveyor system to movably support the housing on the support rail. The transport system also includes the method of transporting articles including the steps of providing a transport carrier for holding at least one article and having at least one shoe, positioning the transport carrier with the base of the carrier supported on a drive rail and the shoe supported on a support rail, and actuating a drive system carried by the drive rail to propel the transport carrier along the drive rail and support rail.
Abstract:
An intelligent minienvironment control system designed to optimize the minienvironment performance, improve the protection for the multi-million dollar equipment within a fab, and to improve the safety conditions for fab personnel. The intelligent minienvironment control system is comprised of a plurality of minienvironment control and monitoring systems (MCMSs), one such system being associated with each minienvironment in the fab. The MCMSs continuously monitor the environmental conditions within the minienvironment. Each of the MCMSs are linked together in a local area network to form an integrated fab-wide minienvironment management system. The management system also includes workstations linked to the network for storing historical data for, and allowing remote access to, each of the MCMSs in the system.
Abstract in simplified Chinese:提供一种末端运行器,其具有自末端运行器(end effector)支撑体延伸出的第一臂与第二臂。此第一臂与第二臂每一臂具有支撑延伸部分,用以在基板之直径的对立侧上支撑基板的周围区域。于直径的对立侧上的支撑接触点之高度相对于水平基准面系不同的。在一实施例中,此末端运行器包括自末端运行器支撑体延伸出的额外臂。也提供用以支撑基板的系统。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:一种可变批量之加载口组件,其具有一工具界面、一加载口门扉、一闩锁键、一前进平板、及一升降器。该工具界面大致上在垂直维度延伸并且具有一孔洞。该加载口门扉具有一关闭位置,其中该加载口门扉至少部分封闭该孔洞。该闩锁键是从该加载口门扉延伸,并用来与前开式集中晶圆盒(FOUP)之门扉的闩锁键插孔配对。该前进平板是用来支撑前开式集中晶圆盒(FOUP),并在收回位置及前进制置之间移动。该升降器抬高及降低该前进平板,以使FOUP门扉的闩锁键插孔对准加载口门扉的闩锁键。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本发明包含一种移动一半导体容器穿过一制造设施之输送机。在一实施例中,该输送机包含复数个个别控制之输送机区段。每一输送机区段包括一第一皮带、一第二皮带、一使该第一皮带及该第二皮带以大体上相同速度旋转之驱动总成。当该容器沿该输送机移动时该第一皮带及该第二皮带以大体上相同速度而驱动且可移动地支撑该容器之底板。在另一实施例中,该输送机包括感应器以确定该容器之位置。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:发表一种模块化分类机,其中模块化部位可易于添加及拆除,俾随特定晶圆制程需要而添加及拆除负荷出入口总成。在一实例中,根据本发明之模块化分类机,包含一界定一迷你环境供分类机使用之二元宽度模块化部位、一晶圆处理机器人,一付对准器以及一中央控制器。本实例之模块化部位,包含一付并置之负荷出入口总成,用以接收一容器或打开之匣体,同时将匣体送至分类机之迷你环境,俾在其内加工晶圆。本发明另外包含一可拆除之端板。当期望添加额外模块化部位至分类机时,端板被拆除而以一连接器框架取代。连接器框架容许额外之模块化部位,包含单负荷出入口总成或双负荷出入口总成而待连附至原始模块化部位。所有用于模块化部位之电力及控件,最好置于中央控制器内。一旦连接外加之模块化部位后,用于外加部位之电力及信号连接件,被插入控制器内。接着,控制器认知外加部位且改变整个操作体系而操作为一三元宽度分类机或是四元宽度分类机。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:一种处理基板用之支承容器,该容器包含基座、顶部、及连接基座与顶部之侧皮肤。将支持结构设置于容器内,该支持结构用以支撑容器内之基板,且该支持结构具有数列延伸跨越容器之宽度之多重拉伸构件,每一列多重拉伸构件用以支承基板,其中侧皮肤其中一者包含能够存取进入容器内之可动式弹性薄膜。用于该可动式弹性薄膜之支持结构包含使该弹性薄膜与处理工具之接收模块之门或处理工具之门的移动同步进行之同步化机构。