Method and apparatus for thermally processing plastic discs, in particular mould wafers

A method for thermally processing mould wafers comprising the steps of:

• clamping a mould wafer at a first temperature on a first clamping device, the first temperature being below a hardening temperature of a plastic of the mould wafer, the mould wafer including silicon chips embedded in the plastic mould compound having a wafer shape;
• heating the mould wafer clamped on the first clamping device to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature and is above the hardening temperature;
• ending the clamping on the first clamping device and transporting the mould wafer heated to the second temperature from the first clamping device to a second clamping device substantially contactlessly;
• clamping the heated mould wafer on the second clamping device;
• cooling the mould wafer clamped on the second clamping device down to a third temperature, which is lower than the second temperature and is below the hardening temperature;
• and
• ending the clamping on the second clamping device,
• wherein the first and second clamping devices are configured to clamp the mould wafer against a surface of the corresponding clamping device to prevent bending of the mould wafer during heating and cooling of the mould wafer.