End effector assembly for inclusion in a system for producing uniform

Abstract

An end effector in a transport module includes a body and a web defined by a panel and first and second flanges at opposite panel ends. The first flange is attached to the body. The second flange is displaced from, and transverse to, the panel. Rods extending through the flanges into the body rigidity the web. Springs disposed in holes in the body and extending between the first flange and the body balance the web relative to the body. The second flange and a ledge on the body adjacent the first flange support the substrate opposite ends with the central portion of the substrate displaced from the body and the web. A robotic assembly formed from a plurality of arms is coupled to the body. The arms are pivotable relative to one another and to the body between contracted and expanded relationships. With the arms contracted, the body and the web are rotatable in the transport module between positions facing the cassette module or the process module. The cassette module includes a cassette holder with grooves for holding cassettes. When the expanded arms face the cassette module, the web abuts a substrate in the cassette holder. When the cassette is moved vertically, the substrate becomes free in the groove for transfer by the robotic assembly into the transport module. When the expanded arms face the process module, the substrate is transferrable into the process module to receive a deposition on the substrate central portion by members in the process module.