December 21, 2023 How Does Pneumatic Tube Transport Work?

Pneumatic tubes are an effective way to move paperwork, samples and other important items around a business or organisation quickly.

Pneumatic tubes are an effective way to move paperwork, samples and other important items around a business or organisation quickly and effectively. Having started life in the banking industry, pneumatic tubes can now be found in a number of different of settings including hospitals, laboratories, supermarkets and the manufacturing industry. So, what is this amazing method of transportation and how does it work?

What are pneumatic tubes?

You might have seen pneumatic tube systems in a few different contexts. They take the form of a network of tubes that run throughout a site, connecting one area to another, and can even form part of a decorative feature. The item that needs to be moved is placed into a specially designed capsule which is pushed through the tubes to its chosen destination using a blower and compressed air. This means that capsules can be moved in just a matter of seconds between departments, saving time and energy.

How pneumatic tube systems work

Pneumatic tube systems can interconnect two single points, or they can form huge networks which link many different areas. They can wind and weave around other pipes and equipment to ensure that thy are never obtrusive or disrupted. A pneumatic tube network is often reminiscent of an underground train network, as each tube has its own points that it connects, and a capsule will sometimes need to change lines in order to reach the destination that it has been sent to.

To transport an item, it needs to be place inside one of the specially designed capsules, which should then be fully sealed. This is then placed into the nearest pneumatic station, and the user will be required to select a destination for it. A blower will then create a difference in the air pressure between the two ends of the system in order to create a fan-like effect.

These blowers are powered by motors which change in intensity as the capsule moves through the system in all different directions until it reaches the station that was selected, and someone at the other end can remove it. If an item needs to be moved upstairs, then compressed air is put into action, whilst moving capsules downstairs combines compressed air and suction to gently pull it through the system and avoid it going into freefall where the contents would be at risk of being damaged.

If the system is a more complicated one, then diverters will be placed at intersections along the route. When a destination has been selected, those diverters will open and close different sections to ensure that the capsule takes the right path.

The information relating to the route of the capsule is transmitted using the specially designed software that accompanies the system, and frequency converters control the blowers to prevent the capsule from moving too quickly and risking harm. In order to further prevent any possible contamination, many pneumatic tube systems also employ the use of a particle filter, which rids the air inside the system of any microscopic particles like dust and pollen, ensuring the air remains clean at all times.

This pneumatic system allows for fast, reliable and safe intralogistics that can streamline the way that a business works. Distances provide no obstacle for this system, which is why they are still used in some of the biggest organisations in the world.

The capsules

The capsules that are used within pneumatic tubes come in a variety of varied sizes according to the items that they are needed to carry. They are designed to move up, down or sideways through the tubes, and as they are completely sealed, their contents will always be kept safe from contamination and there is no danger of any leaks into the tubes.

The rise of the capsules is soft, and air cushioned in order to ensure that even the most fragile of cargo is treated with great care and not damaged. The capsules themselves are made from durable materials that can stand up to the movement that they are subjected to whilst still protecting whatever is inside them.

The use of pneumatic tubes

Pneumatic tubes have been in use since the 19th century, and they still prove to be incredibly popular due to their effectiveness at moving things around. Whilst we live in a digital world that means most information can be shared at the touch of a button, there are still physical items that need to be used and moved around. Pneumatic tubes have proved still be one of the best ways to do this, as they not only work well, but they also keep items extremely safe in the process.

Once a feature of banks and post offices, pneumatic tubes can now still be found in the most modern of environments. They regularly appear in hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies to move things such as medication and samples around quickly, without the risk of them being mislaid or contaminated.

They can connect wards, surgical rooms and storage facilities with some of the most important facilities within the organisation. As they are not relying on a human being, delivery times can be shortened significantly and the risk of anything being lost or forgotten is greatly reduced. This can help to speed up things such as diagnosis and treatment, which ensures better levels of care for patients.

They are also often seen in retail environments where bundles of cash and bags of money can be transported to secure areas without them needing to be carried across the shopfloor where they can be stolen. It is for a similar reason that they are also a feature in many casinos across the world.

Transporting items using pneumatic tubes provides businesses and organisations with an incredible peace of mind. They know that items can be moved quickly, and without risk to them or the people that would otherwise have been carrying them. They are capable of saving vast amounts of time and money which is why such a simple system is still so popular 170 years after it was first used.

About the Author:
Tom Hughes is the General Manager at Aerocom, who are leading specialists in AGV systems and pneumatic tube systems for the education, retail and healthcare sectors.

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