Abstract: An object is to transmit an operation of a first parallel link to a second parallel link through a plurality of rotatably supported arms, to prevent the second parallel link from meandering or rolling so that a wafer can be transported smoothly. Arms (61 to 63) of a transmission arm unit (6) are provided for transmitting an operation of a first parallel link (4) to a second parallel link (5). An operation of the first parallel link (4) is transmitted to the second parallel link (5) so that an angle between an arm (53) and an arm (52) in the second parallel link(5) always coincides with an angle between an arm (41) and an arm (42) in the first parallel arm unit (4).

Abstract: An object is to make it possible to adequately reduce the wafer transport time and to contribute to size-reduction of the semiconductor processing system. Two wafer supports (3, 4) on which wafers (100) are placed are arranged to be apart from each other by a distance (D) in a vertical direction . To transport two wafers (100) to respective loading stages (200A, 200B), first a wafer (100) placed on the lower wafer support (3) is subjected to correction of its position in its main plane, and the wafer supports (3, 4) are descended. After the wafer (100) placed on the wafer support (3) is loaded onto pins (211-213), another wafer (100) placed on the upper wafer support (4) is subjected to correction of its position in its main plane, and the wafer supports (3, 4) are descended.

Abstract: An object is to transmit an operation of a first parallel link to a second parallel link through a plurality of rotatably supported arms, to prevent the second parallel link from meandering or rolling so that a wafer can be transported smoothly. Arms (61 to 63) of a transmission arm unit (6) are provided for transmitting an operation of a first parallel link (4) to a second parallel link (5). An operation of the first parallel link (4) is transmitted to the second parallel link (5) so that an angle between an arm (53) and an arm (52) in the second parallel link(5) always coincides with an angle between an arm (41) and an arm (42) in the first parallel arm unit (4).

Abstract: A wafer exchange apparatus is provided that is compact with excellent accessibility. The wafer exchange apparatus of the present invention includes a first and a second hands (10), (20), a first lifting means (30), a casing (40), a horizontal moving means (50) and a second lifting means (60). The first and the second hands (10), (20) are formed in shapes segmented in the left and right direction with generally line symmetry, and support a wafer (100). The first lifting means (30) moves the second hand (20) upward and downward. The casing (40) has the first lifting means (30) built-in, and supports the first hand (10) at a constant position in height while supporting the second hand (20) movably upward and downward. The horizontal moving means (50) moves the casing (40) horizontally. The second lifting means (60) moves the casing (40) upward and downward.