Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA
France – Grenoble – 2010

LIAISON BLANC / BLANC

“Liaison Blanc-Blanc” is more than just a funicular railway, it is a mini mobile clean room, ISO 6 classified, which connects the two controlled environment areas of the Grenoble CEA over 250 metres.

product range
Funicular
Application
Scientific purpose
More about

The project

To move from one clean room to another on the Minatec scientific site in Grenoble, researchers had to follow a strict protocol, wasting valuable time. The solution proposed by POMA demonstrates the rope's ability to adapt to specific constraints. Unique in the world, this funicular railway called “blanc-blanc”, has an 8 m² cabin whose atmosphere is classified as “ultra-clean / Air ISO 6”, that is, it is highly protected against any intrusion of dust and microparticles.

Automatic, developed with extreme docking accuracy in mind, the funicular railway operates on demand, like an elevator, and carries 12 researchers and their ultra-sensitive microelectronic components smoothly from one room to another at 5 m/s.

Liaison Blanc / Blanc

In Motion

Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA

Technical

specifications

Longueur

Length

250 m

Difference in elevation

2,8 m

Date

Speed

5 m/s

Cabin Capacity

12 passengers

taux de dispo

Availability rate

99,37%

POMA, innovation

For the project

Cabin with a clean atmosphere

This funicular railway, unique in the world, has a cabin with a “clean” atmosphere, that is to say, in accordance with the required “ultra-cleanliness” conditions (ISO 6 air classification) that can carry up to 12 people. An airtight lock system was invented to allow researchers to transport electronic “chips” on silicon.

A world first

 

After ten months of construction, POMA, CEA and VÊPRES opened the world’s first rope-towed ultra-clean funicular railway in Grenoble.

An eco-responsible link

Smooth, silent and eco-responsible regarding electricity consumption – ambient air is treated as close as possible to users – this mode of transport is built on a “clean concept” model, that is, by responding to the specificities and constraints of working in a clean room.

Integration on the site

The construction of a 250-metre concrete viaduct supported by sixteen cylindrical beams, with a 5-metre difference in elevation, was not only more economical, but also made it possible to create a smooth pit suitable for the tyre rolling system,

Track with low ground coverage for ideal environmental integration and reduced earthmoving and site adjustments. The system is attached with clamps onto a rope that rotates in a loop: so there is only one drive system, no possible slippage, the adhesion is permanent.

Maintenance of the link

 

A 5-year maintenance contract
o Average availability of 99.37% since 2010
o Level 2-4 maintenance by POMA

Lisaison blanc/blanc in pictures

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Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA
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Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA
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Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA
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Liaison Blanc Blanc CEA Grenoble POMA
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