Methods for use with tray-based integrated circuit device handling systems
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorRussell Bjork
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stack processing tray for use with tray-based integrated circuit device handling systems. The stack processing tray has a plurality of cells, each cell being configured to receive at least two integrated circuit devices in a vertically superimposed, stacked relationship. Increased efficiency in the handling and processing of integrated circuit devices is realized as the tray-based integrated circuit device handling system performs fewer tray movements, and therefore less work, to handle a given number of integrated circuit devices.
Claims17
A stack processing tray carrying integrated circuit devices, comprising:
- a generally planar latticework forming a plurality of rectangular cells;
- and
- at least one stack of at least two superimposed integrated circuit devices positioned in a rectangular cell of the plurality.
A method of handling integrated circuit devices, comprising:
- selecting a first integrated circuit device with a pick-and-place mechanism;
- removing the first integrated circuit device from a first cell of a stack processing tray;
- extracting a second integrated circuit device from the first cell of the stack processing tray, wherein the stack processing tray does not move between removing the first integrated circuit device and extracting a second integrated circuit device;
- moving the stack processing tray;
- and
- removing a third integrated circuit device from a second cell of the stack processing tray, wherein a single wall separates the first cell and the second cell of the stack processing tray.
A method of processing a plurality of integrated circuit devices, comprising:
- providing a plurality of processing trays at a location;
- transferring the plurality of integrated circuit devices from a first processing station to the location of the plurality of processing trays;
- stacking at least two integrated circuit devices of the plurality of integrated circuit devices in at least one cell of a plurality of cells of each processing tray of the plurality of processing trays;
- moving at least one processing tray of the plurality of processing trays into a target zone adjacent a second processing station;
- mutually aligning the at least one cell of the at least one processing tray and an extraction head;
- extracting one integrated circuit device of the at least two integrated circuit devices and an associated lead protection element from the at least one cell;
- transferring the one integrated circuit device and the associated lead protection element to the second processing station;
- extracting at least one other integrated circuit device of the at least two integrated circuit devices from the at least one cell;
- and
- transferring the at least one other integrated circuit device to the second processing station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.