Semitool, Inc.

James T Kuechmann

Kyle Moran Hanson

Daniel J Woodruff

Robert W Batz, Jr

An apparatus for electroplating a workpiece is disclosed in which the apparatus includes a workpiece holding structure. The workpiece holding structure includes a workpiece support having at least one surface that is disposed to engage a front side of the workpiece and at least one electrical contact disposed for contact with at least one corresponding electrical contact on a back-side of the workpiece. The workpiece includes one or more electrically conductive paths between the at least one corresponding electrical contact and a front-side of the workpiece to facilitate electroplating of the front-side surface. An actuator is provided for driving the workpiece support between a first position in which the at least one electrical contact of the workpiece and the at least one contact of the workpiece holding structure are disengaged from one another, and a second position in which the at least one surface clamps the workpiece in a position in which the at least one electrical contact of the workpiece holding structure electrically engages the at least one electrical contact of the workpiece.

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Kalispell, MT, United States of America

James T Kuechmann