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A Complete Guide to How Pneumatic Tube Systems Work, Their Types, and Where They Are Used
A pneumatic tube system (PTS) — also called a pneumatic dispatch system, air tube system, or pneumatic carrier system — is a network of tubes that uses air pressure to transport cylindrical carriers from one location to another. These systems have been used for over 150 years and remain one of the most efficient ways to move small, time-sensitive items across buildings or campuses without human delivery.
Whether you have seen them in a hospital, a bank drive-through, or a large retail store, pneumatic tubes are everywhere — often invisible to the end user but critical to daily operations.
At its core, a pneumatic tube system works by creating a pressure differential inside a network of sealed tubes. The process involves three main components:
When a sender loads a carrier into a sending station and selects the destination, the control system opens the correct valve, activates the blower, and the carrier travels through the tube at speeds of 15–25 feet per second (roughly 10–17 mph). A soft-landing receiver at the destination catches the carrier with minimal impact.
Not all pneumatic tube systems are the same. There are several types designed for different environments and load requirements.
The most common application today, hospital pneumatic tube delivery systems transport blood samples, lab specimens, medications, documents, and small medical supplies between departments. Modern hospital tube systems are designed to handle fragile biological samples with soft-start/stop technology and temperature-controlled carriers to protect blood integrity during transit.
Widely recognized by consumers, bank pneumatic tube systems send cash, checks, and documents between a teller window and a customer’s car. These systems use single-station or multi-lane configurations and are built for high-frequency daily use with durable outdoor-rated components.
Used in manufacturing plants, warehouses, and large logistics facilities, industrial pneumatic transport systems move parts, small tools, work orders, and invoices across large distances. These heavy-duty systems typically feature larger-diameter tubes (up to 6 inches or more) and can handle carriers weighing several pounds.
Supermarkets and large retail stores use cash pneumatic tube systems to safely move money from checkout lanes to a central cash office. This reduces the need for employees to carry cash across a busy store floor, improving both security and efficiency.
Understanding the parts of a pneumatic tube system helps when evaluating system quality and maintenance needs:
Organizations choose pneumatic tube transport systems for several practical reasons:
When selecting a pneumatic tube system for your facility, consider the following factors:
Regular maintenance is essential to keep a pneumatic tube delivery system running at peak performance. Routine tasks include cleaning tube interiors to prevent debris buildup, inspecting carrier seals (O-rings) for wear, lubricating diverter valves, checking blower motor belt tension, and reviewing software logs for error patterns. Most manufacturers recommend a full service check every six to twelve months, with a monthly visual inspection by on-site staff.
Are pneumatic tube systems still used today?
Yes. Hospitals, banks, retail chains, and industrial facilities around the world rely on pneumatic tube networks every day. The technology has evolved significantly with digital controls and modern materials, making it more reliable and efficient than ever.
What can you send in a pneumatic tube?
Common items include lab specimens, medications, cash, documents, small parts, and mail. Items that are liquid (without sealed containers), oversized, or extremely fragile are generally not suitable for pneumatic transport without special carriers.
How fast does a pneumatic tube travel?
Most pneumatic tube systems operate at 15 to 25 feet per second (approximately 10–17 mph). Medical systems often run at lower speeds (around 8–10 fps) to protect fragile samples.
A pneumatic tube system is a proven, efficient solution for fast and secure internal transport. From hospital pneumatic tube systems carrying critical specimens to bank pneumatic tube stations serving customers, these systems save time, reduce labor costs, and improve safety across many industries. As buildings grow larger and workflow demands increase, pneumatic tube transport remains one of the most cost-effective infrastructure investments an organization can make.
Whether you are evaluating a new installation, upgrading an outdated pneumatic carrier system, or simply curious about how air tube systems work — understanding the basics puts you in a much better position to make informed decisions.
