Access to one or more levels of material storage shelves by an overhead hoist transport vehicle from a single track position

Abstract

An improved automated material handling system that allows an overhead hoist supported by a suspended track to access Work-In-Process (WIP) parts from storage locations beside the track. The automated material handling system includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle for transporting an overhead hoist on a suspended track, and one or more storage bins for storing WIP parts located beside the track. Each storage bin is either a movable shelf or a fixed shelf. To access a WIP part from a selected shelf, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the shelf. Next, the movable shelf moves to a position underneath the overhead hoist. Alternatively, overhead hoist moves to a position above the fixed shelf. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick a desired WIP part directly from the shelf, or to place one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. Once the WIP part is held by the overhead hoist, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves the WIP part to a workstation or processing machine on the product manufacturing floor.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present application relates generally to automated material handling systems, and more specifically to an automated material handling system that allows an overhead hoist on a suspended track to access Work-In-Process (WIP) parts stored beside the track.

[0004] Automated material handling systems are known that employ WIP storage units and overhead hoists to store WIP parts and to transport them between workstations and/or processing machines in a product manufacturing environment. For example, such an automated material handling system may be employed in the fabrication of Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. A typical process of fabricating IC chips includes various processing steps such as deposition, cleaning, ion implantation, etching, and passivation steps. Each of these steps in the IC chip fabrication process may be performed by a different processing machine such as a chemical vapor deposition chamber, an ion implantation chamber, or an etcher. Further, the WIP parts, in this case, semiconductor wafers, are typically transported between the different workstations and/or processing machines multiple times to perform the various steps required for fabricating the IC chips.

[0005] A conventional automated material handling system used in an IC chip fabrication process comprises a plurality of WIP storage units for storing semiconductor wafers, and one or more transport vehicles including respective overhead hoists for moving the wafers between workstations and processing machines on the IC chip manufacturing floor. The semiconductor wafers stored in the WIP storage units are typically loaded into carriers such as Front Opening Unified Pods (FOUPs), each of which may be selectively accessed via an overhead hoist carried by a respective overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling on a suspended track. In a typical system configuration, the FOUPs are stored in WIP storage units located underneath the track. Accordingly, the overhead hoist transport vehicle is typically moved along the suspended track to a position directly above a selected FOUP, and the overhead hoist is lowered toward the FOUP and operated to pick the FOUP from the WIP storage unit or to place a FOUP to the WIP storage unit.

[0006] One drawback of the above-described conventional automated material handling system is that the overhead hoist is capable of accessing just a single level of WIP storage underneath the suspended track. This is problematic because providing only one level of WIP storage on the product manufacturing floor can increase costs due to the inefficient use of floor space. In order to access multiple levels of WIP storage beneath the track, the WIP storage unit must be configured to move a selected FOUP from its current position in the storage unit to a position at the level accessible to the overhead hoist. However, requiring the WIP storage unit to move the selected FOUP to the level beneath the track that is accessible to the overhead hoist can significantly lower the throughput of the material handling system. Further, such a WIP storage unit typically has many moving parts such as rollers, bearings, and motors that are subject to failure, which not only increases costs but also diminishes the reliability of the overall system.

[0007] Moreover, because overhead hoists included in conventional automated material handling systems access WIP parts from storage units located underneath a suspended track, a minimum amount of space is typically required between the ceiling and floor of the product manufacturing facility to accommodate the track and the overhead hoist transport vehicles. This further limits the amount of space in the manufacturing facility that might otherwise be used for storing WIP parts. In addition, because only one level of WIP storage is accessible to each overhead hoist, multiple overhead hoists must normally queue up at a WIP storage unit to access WIP parts from that storage unit, thereby further lowering system throughput.

[0008] It would therefore be desirable to have an automated material handling system that provides enhanced material handling efficiency while overcoming the drawbacks of conventional automated material handling systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, an improved automated material handling system is provided that allows an overhead hoist supported by a suspended track to access Work-In-Process (WIP) parts from storage locations beside the track. By allowing overhead hoists to access WIP parts stored beside the track, the presently disclosed automated material handling system makes more efficient use of space, and provides higher throughput, enhanced reliability, and reduced costs.

[0010] In a first embodiment, the improved automated material handling system includes at least one overhead hoist transport vehicle for transporting an overhead hoist on a suspended track, and a plurality of storage bins for storing WIP parts located beside the track. The plurality of storage bins is configured to allow the overhead hoist to access one or more WIP parts directly from a selected one of the storage bins. In this first embodiment, each storage bin comprises a movable shelf. The plurality of movable shelves may be disposed in a single row or in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track. Further, one or more rows of movable shelves may be located on either side or on both sides of the suspended track. To access one or more WIP parts from a selected shelf, the overhead hoist transport vehicle carrying the overhead hoist moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the selected shelf. Next, the selected shelf moves to a position directly underneath the overhead hoist. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick a desired WIP part directly from the shelf, or to place one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. In the preferred embodiment, because the overhead hoist is not required to pass over the desired WIP part, the selected shelf may be at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist. In this case, the WIP part passes through a cowl opening in the overhead hoist transport vehicle as the shelf moves to the position underneath the overhead hoist. Once the WIP part is held by the overhead hoist, the shelf moves back to its original position in the row of shelves.

[0011] In the event the automated material handling system includes multiple rows of movable shelves, each row of shelves is substantially directly above or below an adjacent row of shelves, thereby forming at least one shelf array including multiple rows and multiple columns of movable shelves. The top row of shelves in the shelf array may be at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist. To access one or more WIP parts from a selected shelf in the top row of shelves, the overhead hoist transport vehicle carrying the overhead hoist moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the selected shelf, the selected shelf moves to a position directly underneath the overhead hoist, and the overhead hoist picks a desired WIP part directly from the shelf or places one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. The selected shelf then moves back to its original position in the shelf array.

[0012] To access WIP parts from a selected shelf in a row below the top row of shelves, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the column including the selected shelf. Next, the selected shelf moves to a position directly underneath the overhead hoist, which is subsequently lowered toward the shelf to pick a desired WIP part directly from the shelf or to place one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. The overhead hoist may then access WIP parts on different shelves in the same column of shelves from the same position on the suspended track. Alternatively, the overhead hoist may move to a position on the track adjacent a different column of shelves, and access WIP parts on one or more shelves in that column. Once the desired WIP part is held by the overhead hoist, the selected shelf moves back to its original position in the shelf array.

[0013] In a second embodiment, the improved automated material handling system includes at least one overhead hoist transport vehicle for transporting an overhead hoist along a suspended track and a plurality of WIP storage bins located beside the track, in which each storage bin comprises a passive or fixed shelf. In this second embodiment, the overhead hoist is mounted on a translating stage configured to move the hoist to a position substantially directly above a selected one of the fixed shelves. The plurality of fixed shelves may be disposed in a single row or in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track. Moreover, one or more rows of fixed shelves may be located on either side or on both sides of the track. To access one or more WIP parts from the selected fixed shelf, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the selected shelf. Next, the translating stage moves the overhead hoist from a first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a second position directly above the selected shelf. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick a desired WIP part directly from the shelf, or to place one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. The selected shelf may be at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist. Once the WIP part is held by the overhead hoist, the translating stage moves the overhead hoist from the position above the shelf back to its original position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of storage bins for storing WIP parts is suspended above the floor of the product manufacturing facility. For example, the plurality of storage bins may be suspended from the track structure, suspended from the ceiling of the product manufacturing facility, supported from the wall of the product manufacturing facility, or supported from the floor of the manufacturing facility. Because the storage bins are suspended on either side or on both sides of the track, the plurality of suspended storage bins provides offset Zero Footprint Storage (ZFS) for the WIP parts, which leads to more efficient usage of space in the product manufacturing facility.

[0015] By configuring overhead hoist mechanisms and WIP storage bins to allow overhead hoists supported by suspended tracks to access WIP parts stored beside the tracks, an improved automated material handling system can be achieved that makes more efficient use of space, and provides higher throughput, enhanced reliability, and reduced costs.

[0016] Other features, functions, and aspects of the invention will be evident from the Detailed Description of the Invention that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the drawings of which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IC chip manufacturing environment including an automated material handling system according to the present invention;

[0019] FIGS. 2 a -2b are block diagrams of a first embodiment of offset zero footprint storage employed in the automated material handling system of FIG. 1, in which the offset zero footprint storage comprises a single row of movable shelves;

[0020] FIGS. 3 a -3b are block diagrams of the first embodiment of offset zero footprint storage of FIG. 2, in which the offset zero footprint storage comprises multiple rows of movable shelves;

[0021] FIGS. 4 a -4b are block diagrams of a second embodiment of offset zero footprint storage employed in the automated material handling system of FIG. 1, in which the offset zero footprint storage comprises a single row of fixed shelves and an overhead hoist mechanism mounted on a translating stage;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 4 employed in conjunction with a WIP storage unit;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 4 employed in conjunction with a WIP part conveying system;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 7 employed in conjunction with an array of fixed shelves;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of multiple overhead hoist mechanisms like the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 7, in which the overhead hoist mechanisms travel on the same track and are employed in conjunction with an array of fixed shelves;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of multiple overhead hoist mechanisms like the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 7, in which the overhead hoist mechanisms travel on respective tracks and are employed in conjunction with back-to-back arrays of fixed shelves;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of offset zero footprint storage, in which the overhead hoist mechanism of FIG. 7 is employed in conjunction with multiple rows of fixed shelves;

[0029] FIGS. 12 a -12b are flow diagrams of illustrative methods of operating the automated material handling system of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method of controlling the automated material handling system of FIG. 1; and

[0031] FIGS. 14 a -14b are perspective views of the translating stage of FIGS. 4a-4b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/417,993 filed Oct. 11, 2002 entitled OFFSET ZERO FOOTPRINT STORAGE (ZFS) USING MOVING SHELVES OR A TRANSLATING HOIST PLATFORM is incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] An improved automated material handling system is disclosed that allows an overhead hoist mechanism supported by a suspended track to access Work-In-Process (WIP) parts from storage bins located beside the track. The presently disclosed automated material handling system makes more efficient use of space while providing higher throughput, enhanced reliability, and reduced costs.

[0034] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a product manufacturing environment 101 including an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) 100, in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHS 100 is configured for automatically storing WIP parts and transporting them between various workstations and/or processing machines, e.g., processing machines 114-115 having input/output ports 118-119, respectively, within the product manufacturing environment 101.

[0035] It is noted that the AMHS 100 may be employed in a clean environment for manufacturing Integrated Circuit (IC) chips such as a 200 mm or 300 mm FAB plant, or any other suitable product manufacturing environment. As shown in FIG. 1, the IC chip manufacturing environment 101 includes a ceiling 104 and a floor 105, which is typically covered with an electrically nonconductive material and designed to meet specific loading and seismic requirements. Further, the processing machines 114-115 are configured to perform various processing steps for fabricating the IC chips. For example, the ceiling 104 may be located a distance 120 of about 3.5 m above the floor 105, the processing machines 114-115 may be spaced a distance 126 of at least about 1.9 m apart, and a top surface of the input/output ports 118-119 may be a distance 124 of about 0.9 m from the floor 105.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHS 100 includes overhead hoist transport vehicles 102a-102b movably coupled to tracks 106a-106b, respectively, both of which are suspended from the ceiling 104. The overhead hoist transport vehicles 102a-102b are configured to move respective overhead hoists along the tracks 106a-106b for accessing carriers such as Front Opening Unified Pods (FOUPs) 108a-108b designed to hold WIP parts, i.e., semiconductor wafers. As shown in FIG. 1, the FOUPs 108a-108b are stored in storage bins such as shelves 110a-110b, respectively. Further, the suspended tracks 106a-106b define predetermined routes passing at the side of the shelves 110a-110b, respectively, thereby allowing the overhead hoist transport vehicles 102a-102b to access the FOUPs 108a-108b directly from the respective shelves 110a-110b. For example, the overhead hoist transport vehicles 102a-102b may be disposed a distance 122 of about 2.6 m above the floor 105.

[0037] Specifically, the shelf 110a is a passive or fixed shelf, which may be one of a number of fixed shelves disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the suspended track 106a. It should be understood that one or more rows of fixed shelves may be disposed on either side or on both sides of the track 106a. In the illustrated embodiment, to access the FOUP 108a from the fixed shelf 110a, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a moves along the suspended track 106a to a position at the side of the shelf 110a. Next, a translating stage 112 included in the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a moves the overhead hoist laterally from a first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a to a second position substantially directly above the fixed shelf 110a, as indicated by directional arrows 109a. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick the FOUP 108a directly from the shelf 110a for subsequent transport to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor. It is understood that the overhead hoist may alternatively place one or more FOUPs to the shelf 110a. It is also noted that the translating stage 112 may be configured to allow the overhead hoist to pick/place a FOUP from/to either side of the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the fixed shelf 110a may be at substantially the same height above the floor 105 as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a. In this embodiment, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a includes a cowl 103a having an opening formed therethrough to allow the translating stage 112 to move from within the transport vehicle to its position above the fixed shelf 110a. After having picked the FOUP 108a from the shelf 110a, the FOUP 108a passes through the opening in the cowl 103a as the translating stage 112 is moved back to its original position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102a.

[0039] Whereas the shelf 110a comprises a fixed shelf, the shelf 110b is a movable shelf. Like the fixed shelf 110a, the movable shelf 110b may be one of a number of movable shelves disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the suspended track 106b. Further, one or more rows of movable shelves may be disposed on either side or on both sides of the track 106b. In the illustrated embodiment, to access the FOUP 108b on the movable shelf 110b, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102b moves along the suspended track 106b to a position at the side of the shelf 110b. Next, the shelf 110b moves laterally from a first position beside the track 106b to a second position substantially directly underneath the overhead hoist within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102b, as indicated by directional arrows 109b. For example, the movable shelf 110b may be provided with a mechanism for moving the shelf 110b along a pneumatically, stepper motor, or servo motor controlled axis between the first position beside the track 106b and the second position under the track and overhead hoist. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick the FOUP 108b directly from the shelf 110b for subsequent transport to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor. It is understood that the overhead hoist may alternatively place one or more FOUPs to the shelf 110b.

[0040] Like the fixed shelf 110a, the movable shelf 110b may be at substantially the same height above the floor 105 as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102b. Further, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 102b includes a cowl 103b having an opening formed therethrough to allow the movable shelf 110b holding the FOUP 108b to move to its position below the overhead hoist within the transport vehicle 102b. Once the FOUP 108b is held by the overhead hoist, the shelf 110b moves back to its original position beside the suspended track 106b.

[0041] It should be appreciated that the automated material handling system described herein operates under computerized control. For example, the AMHS 100 may comprise a computer system including one or more processors for executing instructions out of a memory. The instructions executed in performing the operations herein described may comprise instructions stored as program code considered part of an operating system, instructions stored as program code considered part of an application, or instructions stored as program code allocated between the operating system and the application. Further, the memory may comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), a combination of RAM and Read Only Memory (ROM), or any other suitable program storage.

[0042] FIGS. 2 a -2b depict an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) 200, which may be employed in the IC chip manufacturing environment 101 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHS 200 includes a suspended track 206, and an overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 configured to travel on the track 206. The overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 is configured to pick/place a FOUP 208 from/to a movable shelf 210. For example, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 may extend a distance 221 of about 0.9 m below a ceiling 204, and the movable shelf 210 may be disposed a distance 222 of about 2.6 m above a floor 205. Accordingly, the ceiling 204 may be a distance 220 of about 3.5 m above the floor 205.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the movable shelf 210 is suspended above the floor 205 of the IC chip manufacturing facility. For example, the movable shelf 210 may be suspended from the structure of the track 206, from the ceiling 204, or from any other suitable structure. Because movable shelves like the shelf 210 may be suspended on either side or on both sides of the track 206, the shelf 210b provides offset Zero Footprint Storage (ZFS) for the FOUP 208, thereby providing more efficient use of space in the IC chip manufacturing environment.

[0044] As described above, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 is configured to pick/place the FOUP 208 from/to the movable shelf 210. To that end, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 moves along the suspended track 206 to a position at the side of the shelf 210. As shown in FIG. 2a, the shelf 210 disposed beside the track 206 may be at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202. Next, the shelf 210 moves laterally to a position substantially directly underneath the overhead hoist within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202, as indicated by directional arrows 209 (see FIG. 2b). The overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 includes a hoist gripper (see, e.g., a hoist gripper 426 of FIG. 5) configured to pick/place the FOUP 208 directly from/to the shelf 210. Once the FOUP 208 is held by the hoist gripper, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 may move it to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor.

[0045] FIGS. 3 a -3b depict an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) 300, which may be employed in the IC chip manufacturing environment 101 of FIG. 1. Like the AMHS 200 (see FIGS. 2a-2b), the AMHS 300 includes a suspended track 306, and an overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 configured to travel on the track 306. However, whereas the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202 included in the AMHS 200 picks/places the FOUP 208 from/to the movable shelf 210 disposed in a single row of shelves, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 is configured to pick/place FOUPs 308 from/to selected movable shelves 310-311 disposed in respective rows of shelves. For example, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 may extend a distance 321 of about 0.9 m below a ceiling 304, the shelf 310 may be disposed at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302, and the shelf 311 may be disposed a distance 323 of about 0.4 m below the shelf 310b and a distance 322 of about 2.6 m above a floor 305. Accordingly, the ceiling 304 may be a distance 320 of about 3.9 m above the floor 305.

[0046] Because the movable shelves 310-311 may be suspended from the structure of the track 306, from the ceiling 304, or from any other suitable structure, the shelves 310-311 provide multiple rows or levels of offset Zero Footprint Storage (ZFS) for the FOUPs 308. Further, each row of shelves is substantially directly above or below an adjacent row of shelves, thereby forming at least one shelf array including multiple rows and multiple columns of shelves. It is noted that the top row of shelves in the shelf array (including the shelf 310) may be at substantially the same height as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 is configured to pick/place the FOUPs 308 from/to the movable shelves 310-311. To pick the FOUP 308 from the shelf 310, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 moves along the suspended track 306 to a position at the side of the shelf 310. Next, the shelf 310 moves laterally to a position directly underneath the overhead hoist within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302, as indicated by directional arrows 309 (see FIG. 3b). Like the overhead hoist transport vehicle 202, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 includes a hoist gripper (see, e.g., the hoist gripper 426 of FIG. 5) configured to pick/place the FOUP 308 directly from/to the shelf 310. Once the FOUP 308 is picked from the shelf 310 and held by the hoist gripper, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 may move it to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor.

[0048] To pick the FOUP 308 from the shelf 311 in the same column as the shelf 310 but in the row below the shelf 310, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 positions itself at the side of the shelf 310. Next, the shelf 311 moves laterally to a position substantially directly underneath the overhead hoist within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302, as indicated by the directional arrows 309. The overhead hoist is then lowered in a conventional manner toward the shelf 311 to pick the FOUP 308 from the shelf 311 using the hoist gripper. Next, the overhead hoist is raised so that the FOUP 308 is held by the hoist gripper within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302, which may then move it to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor. Finally, the shelf 311 moves back to its original position in the shelf array.

[0049] It should be understood that the overhead hoist included in the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 may access WIP parts stored on selected movable shelves (e.g., the shelves 310-311) disposed in the same column of shelves from the same position on the suspended track 306. In this way, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 302 may access one or more levels of WIP storage from a single track position.

[0050] FIGS. 4 a -4b depict an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) 400, which may be employed in the IC chip manufacturing environment 101 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHS 400 includes a suspended track 406, and an overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 configured to travel on the track 406. The overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 is configured to pick/place a FOUP 408 from/to a passive or fixed shelf 410. For example, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 may extend a distance 421 of about 0.9 m below a ceiling 404, and the fixed shelf 410a may be disposed a distance 422 of about 2.6 m above a floor 405. It is noted that the shelf 410 may be at substantially the same height above the floor as the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402. Accordingly, the ceiling 404 may be a distance 420 of about 3.5 m above the floor 405.

[0051] It should be understood that a plurality of fixed shelves like the shelf 410 may be disposed in a single row or in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track 406. Moreover, one or more rows of fixed shelves may be located on either side or on both sides of the track 406. Because multiple rows of fixed shelves may be suspended beside the track 406 from the track structure, from the ceiling 404, or from any other suitable structure, the fixed shelves provide multiple levels of offset Zero Footprint Storage (ZFS) for the FOUP 408.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the overhead hoist included in the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 is mounted on a translating stage 412 configured to move the hoist to a position beside the transport vehicle 402 and substantially directly above a selected fixed shelf. FIG. 14a depicts the translating stage 412 in a retracted configuration, and FIG. 14b depicts the translating stage 412 in a laterally extended configuration. To pick the FOUP 408 from the shelf 410 (see FIGS. 4a-4b), the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 moves along the suspended track 406 to a position at the side of the shelf 410. Next, the translating stage 412 moves laterally to the position above the shelf 410, as indicated by directional arrows 409 (see FIG. 4a). A hoist gripper 426 (see FIG. 5) is then operated to pick/place the FOUP 408 directly from/to the shelf 410. Once the FOUP 408 is picked from the shelf 410 and held by the hoist gripper 426, the translating stage 412 moves back to its original position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402. It is noted that as the translating stage 412 returns to its original position within the transport vehicle 402, the FOUP 408 moves into the transport vehicle 402 through a cowl opening 403 (see FIG. 4b). The overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 may then move the FOUP 408 to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor.

[0053] It is understood that the overhead hoist included in the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 may access WIP parts disposed on selected fixed shelves (e.g., the shelf 410a) disposed in the same column of shelves from the same position on the suspended track 406. For example, to access a FOUP disposed on a fixed shelf in the same column as the shelf 410 but in a row below the shelf 410, the overhead hoist may be lowered in the conventional manner to a suitable level at the side of the lower shelf, and the translating stage 412 may be moved laterally to allow the hoist gripper 426 to pick/place the FOUP from/to the shelf. In this way, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 may access one or more levels of WIP storage from a single track position.

[0054] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative application of the AMHS 400 (see also FIGS. 4a-4b), in which the AMHS 400 is employed in conjunction with a WIP storage unit 500 (a “stocker”). In the illustrated embodiment, the stocker 500 includes a plurality of storage bins such as a shelf 510 disposed within the stocker housing. The storage bins within the stocker 500 are rotated around a central axis and positioned to a storage unit location that allows extraction by the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402. To pick a FOUP 508 from the shelf 510, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 moves along the suspended track 406 to a position at the side of the shelf 510. Next, the translating stage 412 moves laterally to a position substantially directly above the shelf 510, as indicated by the directional arrows 409. The hoist gripper 426 is then operated to pick the FOUP 508 directly from the shelf 510 to extract the FOUP 508 from the stocker 500. It is understood that the hoist gripper 426 may alternatively be employed to place a FOUP to the shelf 510 within the stocker 500. Once the FOUP 508 is picked from the shelf 510 and held by the hoist gripper 426, the translating stage 412 moves back to its original position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402, which subsequently moves the FOUP 408 to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor.

[0055] It is noted that the overhead hoist of FIG. 5 may alternatively pick/place a FOUP from/to a shelf external to the stocker 500. For example, the stocker 500 may include one or more movable shelves, in which each shelf is configured to move laterally from a first position inside the stocker 500 to a second position outside the stocker 500 to provide the overhead hoist access to the FOUP. Once the FOUP is picked from the shelf and held by the hoist gripper 426, the shelf moves back to its original position within the stocker 500. Using the overhead hoist of FIG. 5 to access FOUPs directly from the stocker 500 obviates the need for traditional I/O mechanisms such as the input/output ports 118-119 (see FIG. 1), thereby reducing system costs.

[0056] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative application of the AMHS 400 (see also FIGS. 4a-4b), in which the AMHS 400 is employed in conjunction with an overhead WIP conveyor 610. In the illustrated embodiment, the overhead hoist mounted on the translating stage 412 is employed to pick/place a FOUP 608 directly from/to the WIP conveyor 610, which is configured to travel along a rail 606. It should be understood that the rail 606 extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 6. The overhead hoist may also be employed to pick the FOUP 608 from the rail-based conveyor 610, and to place the FOUP 608 to, e.g., a process tool load port 635, and vice versa. For example, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 may be disposed a distance 624 of about 0.35 m above the rail-based conveyor 610. Further, the overhead rail 606 may be a distance 626 of about 2.6 m above a floor 605 of the IC manufacturing facility.

[0057] It is noted that overhead hoist transport vehicles traveling on suspended tracks, e.g., the track 406, are normally employed to provide “hop-to-hop” transport of FOUPs between adjacent workstations and processing machines. In contrast, the rail-based conveyor 610 may be employed to provide express transport of FOUPs between workstations and processing machines located a substantial distance apart on the IC chip manufacturing floor. By using the rail-based conveyor 610 to move FOUPs substantial distances across the IC chip manufacturing facility, transport system congestion can be significantly reduced.

[0058] As described above, the overhead hoist mounted on the translating stage 412 may be employed to pick/place the FOUP 608 from/to the rail-based conveyor 610. To that end, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 402 and the rail-based conveyor 610 move so that the transport vehicle 402 with the FOUP 608 disposed therein is positioned at the side of the conveyor 610. Next, the translating stage 412 moves laterally to position the FOUP 608 substantially directly above the surface of the conveyor 610, as indicated by the directional arrows 409. The overhead hoist is then lowered in a conventional manner toward the conveyor 610, as indicated by directional arrows 628. Next, the overhead hoist is operated to place the FOUP 608 to the conveyor 610, which subsequently transports the FOUP 608 across the IC chip manufacturing floor.

[0059] FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment 700 of the AMHS 400 of FIGS. 4a-4b. Like the AMHS 400, the AMHS 700 is configured to pick/place a FOUP from/to a passive or fixed shelf. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHS 700 includes a suspended track 706 and an overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 supported by the track 706. As shown in FIG. 7, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 includes a proximal end portion 744, a distal end portion 746, and suspension elements 748 coupled between the proximal and distal ends 744 and 746. The overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 further includes a hoist gripper 726 mounted at the distal end 746, and a transport member 742 movably coupled to the proximal end 744 and configured to allow the transport vehicle 702 to travel on the track 706.

[0060] Specifically, the proximal end 744 is configured to move laterally relative to the transport member 742 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the track 706, as indicated by directional arrows 709. For example, the proximal end 744 may operate as a Y-table, a pneumatic mechanism, a stepper servo mechanism, or any other suitable mechanism providing a relatively long lateral excursion. Further, the distal end 746 is configured to move in a vertical direction, as indicated by directional arrows 728. For example, the distal end 746 may be coupled at the ends of the suspension elements 748, which may be configured to telescope to allow the distal end 746 to move in the desired vertical direction. Accordingly, the combination of the proximal end 744 and the suspension elements 748 allows the distal end 746 carrying the hoist gripper 726 to move with 2-degrees-of-freedom, as specified by the directional arrows 709 and 728.

[0061] FIG. 8 depicts the AMHS 700 of FIG. 7 employed in conjunction with an array 800 of passive or fixed shelves. In the illustrated embodiment, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 is configured to pick/place FOUPs, e.g., a FOUP 808, from/to selected shelves within the array 800, which includes multiple rows and multiple columns of fixed shelves such as a shelf 810. As shown in FIG. 8, the shelf array 800 is disposed beside and substantially parallel to the suspended track 706. Further, each shelf is attached along a single edge to a vertical support member 760 that may be anchored to the floor, and adjacent columns of shelves are spaced to allow the respective suspension elements 748 to fit in the spaces between the adjacent columns. It is noted that in this configuration, the FOUPs 808 are exposed for manual access, if desired.

[0062] For example, to pick the FOUP 808 from the shelf 810, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 moves along the suspended track 706 to a position at the side of the column including the shelf 810. Next, the distal end 746 including the hoist gripper 726 moves down, as indicated by the directional arrows 728, to a position at the side of the shelf 810 holding the FOUP 808. The proximal end 742 then moves laterally, as indicated by the directional arrows 709, to position the hoist gripper 726 substantially directly above the shelf 810 beside the track 706. It is noted that as the proximal end 742 performs its lateral movement, the respective suspension elements 748 are accommodated in the spaces on each side of the column of shelves.

[0063] Once the FOUP 808 is picked from the shelf 810 by the hoist gripper 726, the proximal end 742 moves back to its original position underneath the track 706, thereby allowing the distal end 746 with the hoist gripper 726 holding the FOUP 808 to move back up toward the track 706. The transport member 702 may then move the FOUP 808 to a workstation or processing machine on the IC chip manufacturing floor. It should be understood that the overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 may access WIP parts stored on selected shelves disposed in the same column of shelves from the same position on the suspended track 706. In this way, the overhead hoist transport vehicle 702 may access one or more levels of WIP storage from a single track position.

[0064] FIG. 9 depicts a plurality of Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHS) 700a-700b employed in conjunction with the array of shelves 800. It should be understood that each of the AMHSs 700a-700b is like the AMHS 700 of FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHSs 700a-700b are configured to travel on the single suspended track 706 to allow simultaneous accesses of the FOUPs 808 stored in the shelf array 800, thereby assuring high system throughput.

[0065] FIG. 10 depicts the AMHSs 700a-700b employed in conjunction with two arrays 800a-800b of shelves in a back-to-back configuration for increased storage density. As shown in FIG. 10, each shelf in the shelf arrays 800a-800b is attached along a single edge to a vertical support member 1060, which may be anchored to the floor. It should be understood that each of the shelf arrays 800a-800b is like the shelf array 800 (see FIG. 8) in that adjacent columns of shelves are spaced to allow the respective suspension elements 748 to fit in the spaces between the adjacent columns. In the illustrated embodiment, the AMHSs 700a-700b are configured to travel on suspended tracks 706a-706b, respectively, to allow simultaneous accesses of the FOUPs stored in the shelf arrays 800a-800b, thereby assuring high system throughput. Because the system configurations of FIGS. 8-10 do not require robots for accessing the FOUPs (as in conventional material handling systems), floor space requirements and system costs are reduced, while system reliability is enhanced.

[0066] FIG. 11 depicts the AMHS 700 of FIG. 7 employed in conjunction with an array 1100 of fixed shelves. Like the shelf array 800 (see FIG. 8), the shelf array 1100 is disposed beside and substantially parallel to the suspended track 706. Further, each shelf is attached along a single edge to one or more vertical support members 1160a-1160b, and adjacent columns of shelves are spaced to allow the respective suspension elements 748 to fit in the spaces between the adjacent columns. However, whereas the shelf array 800 is anchored to the floor, the shelf array 1100 is suspended from the structure of the track 706 by the support members 1160a-1160b. It is understood that the shelf array 1100 may alternatively be suspended from the ceiling or any other suitable structure. As a result, the shelf array 1100 provides multiple rows or levels of offset Zero Footprint Storage (ZFS) for the FOUPs stored therein.

[0067] A first method of operating the presently disclosed automated material handling system is illustrated by reference to FIG. 12a. As depicted in step 1202, an Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) vehicle moves along a suspended track to a position at the side of a selected movable shelf in a shelf array. The shelf has at least one FOUP disposed thereon. Next, the shelf moves, as depicted in step 1204, to a position underneath an overhead hoist included in the OHT vehicle. The overhead hoist is then operated, as depicted in step 1206, to pick the FOUP from the shelf. Next, the shelf moves, as depicted in step 1208, back to its original position in the shelf array. Finally, the OHT vehicle moves, as depicted in step 1210, the FOUP to a workstation or processing machine on the product manufacturing floor.

[0068] A second method of operating the presently disclosed automated material handling system is illustrated by reference to FIG. 12b. As depicted in step 1212, an OHT vehicle moves along a suspended track to a position at the side of a selected fixed shelf in a shelf array. The shelf has at least one FOUP disposed thereon. Next, a translating stage having an overhead hoist mounted thereon moves, as depicted in step 1214, to a position above the shelf. The overhead hoist is then operated, as depicted in step 1216, to pick the FOUP from the shelf. Next, the translating stage moves, as depicted in step 1218, back to its original position in the OHT vehicle. The OHT vehicle then moves, as depicted in step 1220, the FOUP to a workstation or processing machine on the product manufacturing floor. Next, the overhead hoist is operated, as depicted in step 1222, to place the FOUP to an I/O port of the processing machine, including moving the translating stage to a position above the I/O port, placing the FOUP to the I/O port, and moving the translating stage back to its original position within the OHT vehicle. The overhead hoist is then operated, as depicted in step 1224, to pick the FOUP from the I/O port of the processing machine. Next, the OHT vehicle moves, as depicted in step 1226, to a position at the side of a rail-based conveyor. The translating stage then moves, as depicted in step 1228, to position the FOUP above the rail-based conveyor. Next, the overhead hoist holding the FOUP is lowered, as depicted in step 1230, toward the conveyor, and the overhead hoist is operated, as depicted in step 1232, to place the FOUP to the conveyor. After the translating stage returns to its original position within the OHT vehicle, the rail-based conveyor moves, as depicted in step 1234, to transport the FOUP an extended distance across the product manufacturing floor.

[0069] A method of controlling the presently disclosed automated material handling system is illustrated by reference to FIG. 13. It is noted that storage locations may be configured to handle overflow FOUPs from a particular process tool, from a group of process tools, or from a semiconductor bay. A storage unit is one or more storage locations. An AMHS controller will attempt to store the FOUP near the destination tool and handle the storage within the storage location unit to optimize quick retrieval and deposit of other FOUPs within the unit. As depicted in step 1302, an AMHS controller directs an overhead hoist transport vehicle with a FOUP to a process tool. Next, the process tool is unavailable to accept the FOUP, as depicted in step 1304. A determination is then made, as depicted in step 1306, as to whether storage units associated with the process tool can hold the FOUP. If so, the AMHS controller assigns, as depicted in step 1310, the FOUP to the process tool's storage units. Otherwise, a determination is made, as depicted in step 1308, as to whether storage units associated with the process tool group can hold the FOUP. If so, the AMHS controller assigns, as depicted in step 1312, the FOUP to the process tool group's storage units. Otherwise, the AMHS controller assigns, as depicted in step 1314, the FOUP to a semiconductor bay's storage units. Following each of the steps 1310, 1312, and 1314, the AMHS controller efficiently schedules, as depicted in step 1316, the placement and retrieval of FOUPs within the AMHS system by executing algorithms included in the AMHS controller computing device.

[0070] Having described the above illustrative embodiments, other alternative embodiments or variations may be made. For example, it was described that the automated material handling system includes overhead hoist transport vehicles configured to move overhead hoists for accessing carriers such as Front Opening Unified Pods (FOUPs) in an IC chip manufacturing environment. However, it should be appreciated that the above-described automated material handling system may be employed in any suitable environment in which articles are stored and moved from place to place. For example, the automated material handling system described herein may be employed in an automobile manufacturing facility, and the WIP parts stored and moved by the system may comprise automobile parts.

[0071] It will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that further modifications to and variations of the above-described system and method of accessing one or more levels of shelves by an overhead hoist transport vehicle from a single track position may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except as by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automated material handling system, comprising: at least one overhead hoist transport subsystem including a track, an overhead hoist, and a transport vehicle configured to move the hoist along the track; and at least one material storage location configured to store at least one material unit, the material storage location being disposed at a first side of the track, wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location, the material storage location is configured to move from a first position at the first side of the track to a second position adjacent the hoist, thereby allowing the hoist to pick the material unit from the storage location or to place the material unit to the storage location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the track.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each storage location is configured to move from the first position at the first side of the track to the second position adjacent the hoist in the event the hoist is disposed beside the storage location.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein each storage location in an uppermost row is configured to move from the first position at the first side of the track to the second position adjacent the hoist in the event the hoist is disposed beside the storage location.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of storage locations is arranged in an array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside a first storage location in an uppermost row, each storage location in the same column as the first storage location is configured to move from a third position at the first side of the track to a fourth position substantially directly below the hoist.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem is further configured to move the hoist near the storage location in the fourth position to allow the hoist to pick the material unit from the storage location or to place the material unit to the storage location.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein each storage location in the second plurality of storage locations is configured to move from a third position at the second side of the track to the second position adjacent the hoist in the event the hoist is disposed beside the storage location.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein each storage location in an uppermost row at the second side of the track is configured to move from a third position at the second side of the track to the second position adjacent the hoist in the event the hoist is disposed beside the storage location.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are arranged in respective arrays, each including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside a first storage location in an uppermost row at the second side of the track, each storage location in the same column as the first storage location is configured to move from a third position at the first side of the track to a fourth position substantially directly below the hoist.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem is further configured to move the hoist near the storage location in the fourth position to allow the hoist to pick the material unit from the storage location or to place the material unit to the storage location.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended at the first side of the track.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from the track.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from a ceiling.

25. The system of claim 1 further including a conveyor subsystem configured to move the material unit, wherein the hoist is further configured to pick the material unit from the conveyor subsystem or to place the material unit to the conveyor subsystem.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the conveyor subsystem includes at least one rail, the conveyor subsystem being configured to move the material unit along the rail.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the material storage location comprises a movable shelf.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein the material unit comprises a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP).

29. The system of claim 1 wherein the material unit comprises at least one manufactured part.

30. An automated material handling system, comprising: at least one overhead hoist transport subsystem including a track, an overhead hoist, and a transport vehicle configured to move the overhead hoist along the track; and at least one material storage location configured to store at least one material unit, the material storage location being disposed at a first side of the track, wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location, the hoist is configured to move from a first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a second position adjacent the material storage location, thereby allowing the hoist to pick the material unit from the storage location or to place the material unit to the storage location.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the track.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the plurality of storage locations is arranged in an array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

38. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are arranged in respective arrays, each including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

43. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended at the first side of the track.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from the track.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from a ceiling.

46. The system of claim 30 wherein the material unit comprises a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP).

47. The system of claim 30 wherein the material unit comprises at least one manufactured part.

48. The system of claim 30 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem further includes a translating stage coupled to the hoist, the translating stage being configured to move the hoist from the first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to the second position adjacent the material storage location.

49. The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one material storage location includes at least one storage location disposed at a second side of the track, the second side being opposite the first side.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location at the second side of the track, the hoist is configured to move from the first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a third position adjacent the material storage location at the second side of the track.

51. The system of claim 30 further including a conveyor subsystem configured to move the material unit, wherein the hoist is further configured to move from the first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a third position adjacent the conveyor subsystem, thereby allowing the hoist to pick the material unit from the conveyor subsystem or to place the material unit to the conveyor subsystem.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the conveyor subsystem includes at least one rail, the conveyor subsystem being configured to move the material unit along the rail.

53. A method of operating an automated material handling system, comprising the steps of: providing at least one overhead hoist transport subsystem including a track, an overhead hoist, and a transport vehicle for moving the hoist along the track; providing at least one material storage location for storing at least one material unit, the material storage location being disposed at a first side of the track; in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location, moving the material storage location from a first position at the first side of the track to a second position adjacent the hoist; and picking the material unit from the storage location or placing the material unit to the storage location by the hoist.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the track.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the plurality of storage locations is arranged in an array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the moving step includes, in the event the hoist is disposed beside a first storage location in an uppermost row, moving at least one storage location in the same column as the first storage location from a third position at the first side of the track to a fourth position substantially directly below the hoist.

58. The method of claim 57 further including the step of moving the hoist near the storage location in the fourth position.

59. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

60. The method of claim 59 further including the step of, in the event the hoist is disposed beside one of the storage locations in the second plurality of storage locations, moving the storage location from a third position at the second side of the track to the second position adjacent the hoist.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

64. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are arranged in respective arrays, each including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside a first storage location in an uppermost row at the second side of the track, moving at least one storage location in the same column as the first storage location from a third position at the first side of the track to a fourth position substantially directly below the hoist.

67. The method of claim 66 further including the step of moving the hoist near the storage location in the fourth position.

68. The method of claim 64 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

71. The method of claim 53 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended at the first side of the track.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from the track.

73. The method of claim 71 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from a ceiling.

74. The method of claim 53 wherein the material storage location is a movable shelf.

75. The method of claim 53 wherein the material unit is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP).

76. The method of claim 53 wherein the material unit is at least one manufactured part.

77. A method of operating an automated material handling system, comprising the steps of: providing at least one overhead hoist transport subsystem including a track, an overhead hoist, and a transport vehicle for moving the hoist along the track; providing at least one material storage location for storing at least one material unit, the material storage location being disposed at a first side of the track; in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location, moving the hoist from a first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a second position adjacent the material storage location; and picking the material unit from the storage location or placing the material unit to the storage location by the hoist.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in a row beside and substantially parallel to the track.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows beside and substantially parallel to the track.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the plurality of storage locations is arranged in an array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

81. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in a row at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

84. The method of claim 82 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

85. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location comprises a first plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at the first side of the track, and a second plurality of storage locations disposed in multiple rows at a second side of the track, the second side of the track being opposite the first side of the track.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are arranged in respective arrays, each including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

87. The method of claim 85 wherein the first plurality of storage locations is suspended at the first side of the track and the second plurality of storage locations is suspended at the second side of the track.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from the track.

89. The method of claim 87 wherein the first and second pluralities of storage locations are suspended from a ceiling.

90. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended at the first side of the track.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from the track.

92. The method of claim 90 wherein the at least one material storage location is suspended from a ceiling.

93. The method of claim 77 wherein the material unit is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP).

94. The method of claim 77 wherein the material unit is at least one manufactured part.

95. The method of claim 77 wherein the moving step includes moving the hoist from the first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to the second position adjacent the material storage location by a translating stage coupled to the hoist.

96. The method of claim 77 wherein the at least one material storage location includes at least one storage location disposed at a second side of the track, the second side being opposite the first side.

97. The method of claim 96 wherein, in the event the hoist is disposed beside the material storage location at the second side of the track, moving the hoist from the first position within the overhead hoist transport vehicle to a third position adjacent the material storage location at the second side of the track.

98. An automated material handling system, comprising: a plurality of material storage locations, each storage location comprising a fixed shelf configured to hold at least one unit of material, wherein the fixed shelves are arranged in a plurality of spaced columns, each column including one or more shelves; and an overhead hoist transport subsystem including an overhead hoist and first and second hoist transfer mechanisms operatively coupled to the hoist, the hoist being configured to access at least one material unit from a selected shelf included in a selected column of shelves, wherein the first transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the hoist from a first position to a second position along a first axis disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the selected column, and wherein the second transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the hoist from the first or second position to a third position along a second axis disposed at substantially a right angle to the first axis, thereby positioning the hoist to access the material unit directly from the selected shelf.

99. The system of claim 98 wherein at least one space between the selected column and at least one column adjacent the selected column is sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the first hoist transfer mechanism when the second hoist transfer mechanism transfers the hoist from the first or second position to the third position.

100. The system of claim 99 wherein the first hoist transfer mechanism includes first and second elongated hoist suspension elements, the first and second hoist suspension elements being disposed substantially parallel to the first axis and configured to support the hoist when the first transfer mechanism transfers the hoist from the first position to the second position, and wherein respective spaces on opposing sides of the selected column are configured to allow the first and second hoist suspension elements to straddle the selected column when the second hoist transfer mechanism transfers the hoist from the first or second position to the third position.

101. The system of claim 99 wherein the second hoist transfer mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a Y-table, a pneumatic mechanism, a stepper mechanism and a servo mechanism.

102. The system of claim 98 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem further includes at least one track and a vehicle for transporting the hoist configured to travel to a plurality of positions on the track.

103. The system of claim 102 wherein the selected column includes a plurality of shelves, wherein the overhead hoist transport vehicle is located at a predetermined position on the track, and wherein the hoist is positionable to access a respective material unit from each shelf in the selected column of shelves.

104. The system of claim 102 wherein at least a portion of the track is disposed above and substantially to one side of the selected column.

105. The system of claim 102 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem includes a plurality of vehicles for transporting respective overhead hoists, each one of the plurality of vehicles being configured to travel on a common track.

106. The system of claim 102 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem includes a plurality of vehicles for transporting respective overhead hoists, each one of the plurality of vehicles being configured to travel on a respective track.

107. The system of claim 98 wherein the hoist includes a gripper portion configured to grip the at least one material unit.

108. The system of claim 107 wherein the gripper grips two material units simultaneously.

109. The system of claim 108 wherein the gripper can rotate the two material units to facilitate a swap of the first material unit with the second material unit.

110. The system of claim 98 wherein the plurality of material storage locations comprises an array of fixed shelves arranged in rows and columns, each column having a first plurality of shelves spaced along the first axis, each row having a second plurality of shelves spaced along a third axis, and the third axis being orthogonal to the first and second axes.

111. The system of claim 98 wherein the shelves are substantially planar and fixed along a single dimension thereof at substantially right angles to at least one support member.

112. The system of claim 111 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem further includes at least one track for use in transporting the hoist, and wherein the support member is suspended from the track.

113. A method of operating an automated material handling system, the system including a plurality of material storage locations and an overhead hoist transport subsystem, each storage location comprising a fixed shelf for holding at least one unit of material, the shelves being arranged in a plurality of spaced columns, each column including one or more shelves, the overhead hoist transport subsystem having an overhead hoist for accessing at least one material unit from a selected shelf included in a selected column of shelves, comprising the steps of: transferring the hoist from a first position to a second position along a first axis disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the selected column of shelves by a first hoist transport mechanism included in the overhead hoist transport subsystem; transferring the hoist from the first or second position to a third position along a second axis disposed at substantially a right angle to the first axis by a second hoist transfer mechanism included in the overhead hoist transport subsystem, thereby positioning the hoist to access the material unit from the selected shelf; and accessing the material unit directly from the selected shelf by the hoist.

114. The method of claim 113 wherein the second transferring step includes disposing at least a portion of the first hoist transfer mechanism within at least one space between the selected column and at least one column adjacent the selected column when transferring the hoist from the first or second position to the third position by the second hoist transfer mechanism.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein the first hoist transfer mechanism includes first and second elongated hoist suspension elements, the first and second hoist suspension elements being disposed substantially parallel to the first axis, wherein the first transferring step includes supporting the hoist by the first and second elongated hoist suspension elements when transferring the hoist from the first position to the second position by the first transfer mechanism transfers, and wherein the second transferring step includes disposing the first and second elongated hoist suspension elements in respective spaces on opposing sides of the selected column, thereby straddling the selected column when transferring the hoist from the first or second position to the third position by the second hoist transfer mechanism.

116. The method of claim 113 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem further includes at least one track and a vehicle for transporting the hoist, and further including the step of traveling to at least one position on the track by the overhead hoist transport vehicle.

117. The method of claim 116 wherein the selected column includes a plurality of shelves, wherein the traveling step includes traveling to a predetermined position on the track by the overhead hoist transport vehicle, and further including the step of positioning the hoist to access respective material units from one or more shelves in the selected column of shelves by the first and second hoist transfer mechanisms.

118. The method of claim 116 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem includes a plurality of vehicles for transporting respective overhead hoists, and wherein the traveling step includes traveling to a plurality of respective positions on a common track by the plurality of overhead hoist transport vehicles.

119. The method of claim 116 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem includes a plurality of vehicles for transporting respective overhead hoists, and wherein the traveling step includes traveling to a plurality of positions on respective tracks by the plurality of overhead hoist transport vehicles.

120. The method of claim 113 wherein the accessing step includes gripping the at least one material unit by a gripper included in the hoist.

121. The method of claim 113 wherein the shelves are substantially planar and fixed along a single dimension thereof at substantially right angles to at least one support member.

122. The method of claim 121 wherein the overhead hoist transport subsystem further includes at least one track and a vehicle for transporting the hoist, and further including the step of traveling to at least one position on the track by the overhead hoist transport vehicle, the support member being suspended from the track.

123. A method of controlling an automated material handling system, comprising the steps of: directing transport equipment including at least one material unit to a process tool by a controller; in the event the process tool is unavailable to accept the material unit, determining whether storage units associated with the process tool can hold the material unit by the controller; in the event the storage units associated with the process tool can hold the material unit, assigning the material unit to the tool's storage units by the controller; in the event the storage units associated with the process tool cannot hold the material unit, determining whether storage units associated with the process tool group can hold the material unit by the controller; in the event the storage units associated with the process tool group can hold the material unit, assigning the material unit to the tool group's storage units by the controller; in the event the storage units associated with the process tool group cannot hold the material unit, assigning the material unit to a semiconductor bay's storage units by the controller; and scheduling placement and retrieval of the material units within the automated material handling system by the controller.