Compressed Air | How Bank Air Tubes Work
Pneumatic tubes are holdover tech that has its own niche in today’s world despite the advancements in communication and courier transportation technology. Also called capsule pipelines and pneumatic tube transport (PTT), these systems are networks of tubes in which solid objects (hollow capsules) are propelled by compressed air or a partial vacuum at a very high rate of speed. They are primarily used to transport urgent packages (usually money or mail) over short distances; such as within a building. A small number of systems have been used to move larger cargoes but those networks never gained much popularity.
While the basics of pneumatics have existed for hundreds of years, usage became prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries in banks and for the delivery of mail. Today, pneumatic tubes are primarily used in banks, hospitals, casinos, race tracks, supermarkets; automatic garbage collection systems, drive-up pharmacies and various stores and they are used in some uncommon places as well. Several types of scientific experimentation require their usage; such as transporting materials during neutron activation analysis because the samples have a short shelf-life and speed is important.
Most people will encounter pneumatic tubes in the form of bank air tubes at the drive-through tellers. A bank air tube system works like this, there is a sending station connected via a transport tube to a receiving station. A customer puts materials into a capsule, typically a hollow plastic container which is only slightly smaller than the tube, and closes the hatch on the sending station and away it goes, either automatically or at the push of a button. A compressed air pump attached to the receiving station either sucks or blows air depending on which way the capsule needs to be sent. The compressor sucks on the tube and creates a partial vacuum in front of the capsule that sucks it to the receiving station and it is sent back by setting the compressor to blow air in the opposite direction. Your average bank air tube can move a capsule weighing up to five lbs. at speeds up 10m/33ft per second. The tube connecting the stations is usually made of PVC plastic or a lightweight metal like aluminum.
They are used to transport cash and documents from the bank to their car. Because certain industries still use them, various companies produce the tubes, terminals and attached technology.
Here is a list of companies and links to their websites:
Western Pneumatic Tube Company
Standard Pneumatic & Electric Tool
SafeandVault.com sells an array of excellent Hamilton Drive-Up Systems products. They are among the most trusted products in the world for banks, drive-up/through pharmacies and retail locations.
The HA-1000 is engineered for reliability. It is set to the industry standards for 4 ½” pneumatic drive-up systems. It is available in upsend and downsend, adaptable to the old LeFebure units without the need to replace the tubing and it has several operator/teller options that allow you to create a system to fit your needs. The system has corrosion resistant stainless steel and a polymer coated finish. It is simple to install and has superior audio/video communications.
The HA-45 has been developed for cost-effectiveness. It has maximum teller-space and low-profile teller terminals allow for unsurpassed line-of-sight visibility. Only one tube is required for a simple installation and it has an exclusive PowerStar turbine system which provides maximum load-carrying capacity with lower operator costs. Its customer video system provides a 10’ LCD display with a wide dynamic color camera that insures a crisp picture and high-intensity sun viewable option is also available.
Hamilton’s HA-47 Commercial is designed for retail and commercial customers. This product uses a unique carrier that most customers find very easy to use. The carrier lies flat and opens square and it accepts documents very easily. The HA-47 also has such features as; one-touch operation, two-way video option, high payload capacity (carrier volume exceeds 300 cubic inches) and has convenient front access for repairs and upgrades.
The Hamilton HA-33 is a large capacity commercial drive-up system. This product handles the most demanding commercial deposits; rolled coins, paperwork and night deposit bags. It has a huge captive carrier capacity (over 500 cubic inches) and has low maintenance stainless steel all-weather construction. For customers, it has an easy one-touch operational system and the optimum presentation height reduces the distance drivers to need to reach to use it.
These Hamilton products are great examples of top of the line bank air tube systems. While this field remains very specialized, the design and technology continues to advance. If your place of business needs a pneumatic tube carrier, SafeandVault.com is the website to click on.