• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.2025-2033
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• 2006

This paper presents, the design of a latch mechanism for wafer containers in a standard mechanical interface environment. For an integrated circuits fabrication factory, the standard mechanical interfaced wafer container is an effective tool to prevent wafers from particle contamination during wafer storage, transporting or transferring. The latch mechanism inside the container door is used to latch and further seal the wafer container for safety and air quality. Kinematic characteristics of the mechanism are established by analyzing the required functions of the mechanisms. Based on these characteristics, a methodology for enumerating feasible latch mechanisms is developed. New mechanisms with one degree-of-freedom and up to five links are generated. An optimum design is also identified with respect to the criteria pertinent to the application. The computer-aided simulation is also built to verify the design.