Method and apparatus for positioning a semiconductor pellet

A semiconductor pellet positioning method comprising holding a semiconductor pellet by means of suction force applied to said semiconductor pellet on a positioning stage, moving said semiconductor pellet relative to a positioning claw, and positioning the semiconductor pellet by said positioning claw, wherein said semiconductor pellet positioning method comprises:

• holding said semiconductor pellet on said positioning stage by applying to an under surface of said semiconductor pellet a first suction force with which said positioning claw can move said semiconductor pellet during a positioning of said semiconductor pellet, said first suction force being set by a suction force control means;
• and after completion of said positioning, holding said semiconductor pellet to said positioning stage by applying to said under surface of said semiconductor pellet a second suction force that is stronger than said first suction force, said second suction force being set by said suction force control means;
• and
• wherein said suction force control means comprises a three port electromagnetic valve having a vacuum source and a compressed air source coupled respectively to an input side of said three port electromagnetic valve and an outlet side coupled to said positioning stage for holding said semiconductor pellet.