Importance

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Abstract

A modular sorter is disclosed in which modular sections maybe easily added and removed to add and remove load port assemblies as required by a particular wafer fabrication run. In one embodiment, a modular sorter according to the present invention include a two-wide modular section defining a minienvironment for the sorter, a wafer handling robot a pair of aligners and a centralized controller. The modular section of this embodiment includes a pair of side-by-side load port assemblies for receiving a container or open cassette and presenting the cassette to the minienvironment of the sorter for processing of the wafers therein. The present invention further includes a removable end panel. When it is desired to add additional modular sections to the sorter, the end panel is removed and replaced by a connector frame. The connector frame allows additional modular sections, including either one load port assembly or two load port assemblies, to be attached to the original modular section. All of the power and control components for the modular sections are preferably located in the centralized controller. Upon attachment of the additional modular section, the power and signal connections for the additional section are plugged into the controller. The controller then recognizes the additional section and changes the overall operation scheme to now operate as a three-wide sorter or a four-wide sorter.

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First Claim