Method and device for sorting wafers

A wafer sorting apparatus, comprising:

• a data processing device for controlling a method for sorting wafers of a chip production operation from an initial state into an end state, the method including steps of:
• providing the wafers in the initial state such that the wafers are arranged in a given sequence in compartments of a holding device;
• enabling the wafers to be at least partly identified as elements of a finite sequence based on information carriers;
• and
• sorting the wafers into the end state in which each wafer is arranged, as much as possible in accordance with a prescribed sequence, in the compartments of the holding device by:
• removing a first wafer from a first compartment of the holding device,
• reading an information carrier of the first wafer to determine a position of the first wafer in the prescribed sequence,
• subsequently, removing a second wafer from a second compartment corresponding to the position of the first wafer in the prescribed sequence, and
• moving the first wafer into a compartment corresponding to the position of the first wafer in the prescribed sequence;
• at least one device for moving at least the first wafer and the second wafer;
• and
• a reading device for reading the information carrier of the first wafer.