Enclosure system shelf including alignment features
A shelf system includes a first distal portion configured to be fastened to a first surface of an enclosure system. The first distal portion includes a first carrier alignment feature and a first process kit ring alignment feature. The shelf system further includes a second distal portion configured to be fastened to a second surface of the enclosure system. The second distal portion includes a second carrier alignment feature and a second process kit ring alignment feature. The first carrier alignment feature and the second carrier alignment feature are configured to be disposed proximate outer surfaces of a carrier to align the carrier in the enclosure system. The first process kit ring alignment feature and the second process kit ring alignment feature are configured to be proximate inner surfaces of a process kit ring to align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
1 . A shelf system comprising:
a first distal portion comprising a first distal end and a second distal end opposite the first distal end, the second distal end being configured to be fastened to a first surface of an enclosure system of a substrate processing system, the first distal portion comprising:
a first planar surface that extends from the first distal end to a first sidewall;
a first carrier alignment feature comprising the first sidewall that extends upwards from the first planar surface;
a second planar surface that extends from the second distal end to a second sidewall; and
a first process kit ring alignment feature comprising the second sidewall that extends upwards from the second planar surface; and
a second distal portion configured to be fastened to a second surface of the enclosure system, the second distal portion comprising a second carrier alignment feature and a second process kit ring alignment feature, wherein the first carrier alignment feature and the second carrier alignment feature are configured to be disposed proximate outer surfaces of a carrier to align the carrier in the enclosure system, and wherein the first process kit ring alignment feature and the second process kit ring alignment feature are configured to be proximate inner surfaces of a process kit ring to align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
2 . The shelf system of claim 1 , wherein the first distal portion and the second distal portion are connected to each other by a third portion of the shelf system.
3 . The shelf system of claim 2 , wherein the third portion comprises a ring alignment feature configured to further align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
4 . The shelf system of claim 1 , wherein a first shelf comprises the first distal portion and a second shelf comprises the second distal portion.
5 . The shelf system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second carrier alignment feature comprises a third sidewall; and
the first sidewall and the third sidewall are configured to prevent x-direction movement and yaw movement of the carrier.
6 . The shelf system of claim 1 , wherein the second process kit ring alignment feature comprises a fourth sidewall.
7 . The shelf system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
the first distal portion further comprises a corresponding carrier retaining device configured to secure the carrier to a corresponding upper surface of the first distal portion; or
the second distal portion further comprises a respective carrier retaining device configured to secure the carrier to a respective upper surface of the second distal portion.
8 . An enclosure system of a substrate processing system, the enclosure system comprising:
a plurality of surfaces that at least partially enclose an interior volume of the enclosure system; and
a shelf system comprising:
a first distal portion comprising a first distal end and a second distal end opposite the first distal end, the second distal end being fastened to a first surface of the enclosure system, the first distal portion comprising:
a first planar surface that extends from the first distal end to a first sidewall;
a first carrier alignment feature comprising the first sidewall that extends upwards from the first planar surface;
a second planar surface that extends from the second distal end to a second sidewall; and
a first process kit ring alignment feature comprising the second sidewall that extends upwards from the second planar surface; and
a second distal portion fastened to a second surface of the enclosure system, the second distal portion comprising a second carrier alignment feature and a second process kit ring alignment feature, wherein the first carrier alignment feature and the second carrier alignment feature are configured to be disposed proximate outer surfaces of a carrier to align the carrier in the enclosure system, and wherein the first process kit ring alignment feature and the second process kit ring alignment feature are configured to be proximate inner surfaces of a process kit ring to align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
9 . The enclosure system of claim 8 , wherein the first distal portion and the second distal portion are connected to each other by a third portion of the shelf system.
10 . The enclosure system of claim 9 , wherein the third portion comprises a ring alignment feature configured to further align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
11 . The enclosure system of claim 8 , wherein a first shelf comprises the first distal portion and a second shelf comprises the second distal portion.
12 . The enclosure system of claim 8 , wherein:
the second carrier alignment feature comprises a third sidewall; and
the first sidewall and the third sidewall are configured to prevent x-direction movement and yaw movement of the carrier.
13 . The enclosure system of claim 8 , wherein the second process kit ring alignment feature comprises a fourth sidewall.
14 . The enclosure system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of:
the first distal portion further comprises a corresponding carrier retaining device configured to secure the carrier to a corresponding upper surface of the first distal portion; or
the second distal portion further comprises a respective carrier retaining device configured to secure the carrier to a respective upper surface of the second distal portion.
15 . A method comprising:
transporting a carrier supporting a process kit ring to a position above a shelf system disposed within an enclosure system of a substrate processing system; and
lowering the carrier supporting the process kit ring onto the shelf system to cause the carrier to be aligned via a first carrier alignment feature of a first distal portion and a second carrier alignment feature of a second distal portion of the shelf system and to cause the process kit ring to be aligned via a first process kit ring alignment feature of the first distal portion and a second process kit ring alignment feature of the second distal portion of the shelf system, the first distal portion comprising a first distal end and a second distal end opposite the first distal end, the first distal portion further comprising a first planar surface that extends from the first distal end to a first sidewall, the first carrier alignment feature comprising the first sidewall that extends upwards from the first planar surface, the first distal portion further comprising a second planar surface that extends from the second distal end to a second sidewall, the first process kit ring alignment feature comprising the second sidewall that extends upwards from the second planar surface, wherein the second distal end of the first distal portion is fastened to a first surface of the enclosure system and the second distal portion is fastened to a second surface of the enclosure system, wherein the first carrier alignment feature and the second carrier alignment feature are configured to be disposed proximate outer surfaces of the carrier, and wherein the first process kit ring alignment feature and the second process kit ring alignment feature are configured to be proximate inner surfaces of the process kit ring.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first distal portion and the second distal portion are connected to each other by a third portion of the shelf system.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the third portion comprises a ring alignment feature configured to further align the process kit ring on the carrier in the enclosure system.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein a first shelf comprises the first distal portion and a second shelf comprises the second distal portion.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the second carrier alignment feature comprises a third sidewall; and
the first sidewall and the third sidewall are configured to prevent x-direction movement and yaw movement of the carrier.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second process kit ring alignment feature comprises a fourth sidewall.