Project Overview

This case study presents the successful implementation of a fully enclosed electric mobile compact shelving system at the Dental Hospital in Hong Kong. The project aimed to modernize and optimize the hospital’s patient medical records storage, providing a highly efficient and secure solution fitted to a teaching-hospital environment where quick and safe access to records is critical for dental training and patient care.

Client Background – Prince Philip Dental Hospital

The Dental Hospital is the only dental teaching hospital in Hong Kong, located at 34 Hospital Road in Sai Ying Pun. It serves as the base for the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong,, the hospital plays a pivotal role in training dentists and dental ancillary personnel. Although it is a teaching-only facility and does not offer general emergency services, it receives selected referrals for dental procedures under the supervision of registered dentists, enabling affordable treatment while educating dental students .

Client Requirements & Functional Needs

The hospital required a specialized medical-record storage solution tailored to their operational environment. Key drivers included:

• High-density storage: to maximize floor space usage while holding extensive patient file volumes.
• Safe access: ensuring minimal physical effort and secure movement of shelving units.
• Precision tracking and management: with sensors and control systems enabling quick retrieval.
• Durability and hygiene: robust construction capable of withstanding hospital conditions.
• Lighting and protection: internal shelving illumination and safety mechanisms for staff usage.

Design & Solution Details

To fulfill these requirements, the project team designed an electric mobile compact shelving system with the following configuration:

• Structure: fully enclosed mobile units, with five columns (banks), each measuring H 2235 mm × W 4500 mm.
• Storage tiers: each column consists of five groups, and each group has seven tiers, totaling 35 storage levels per column.
• Drive system: electric movement driven by internal motor and controlled via position sensors, infrared beam interruption systems, and built-in safety interlocks.
• Lighting: integrated internal shelf lighting for visibility when retrieving files.
• Protection features: installation protection mechanisms to prevent accidental closure during use.

Material & Technical Specifications

The shelving system was built with high-quality materials designed for durability and smooth operation:

• Cold-rolled steel for all panels.
• Track core: 20 × 20 mm solid square steel bar.
• Base chassis thickness: 2.8 mm.
• Shelf thickness: 1.0 mm.
• Vertical upright (middle frame): 1.0 mm steel.
• Rear backing panel: 0.8 mm steel.
• Safety & automation components: position sensors, electric motor, infrared emitter-receiver pairs, inner lighting, and protective installations.

These robust specifications ensure long-lasting performance, stability under load, and compliance with hospital-grade safety standards.

Installation & Final Presentation

Upon delivery, the system was professionally installed on-site at Prince Philip Dental Hospital. The installation included:

• Secure anchoring to flooring and smooth alignment of track mechanisms.
• Electrical wiring for shelving movement, lighting, and sensor systems.
• Calibration of position sensors and testing of infrared safety devices.
• Programming of motor drive logic for accurate shelf indexing.
• Rigorous safety checks before official handover.

Benefits & Outcome

The installed system delivered numerous advantages to the hospital:

1. Maximized storage density – with compact motorized banks, the hospital gained significantly more storage capacity within the same floor footprint.
2. Improved accessibility – staff can easily slide open the desired bank with a button, saving time during busy patient-record retrieval.
3. Enhanced safety – safety sensors and interlocks prevent accidental movement while staff are working inside the shelving aisle.
4. Better visibility – interior lighting improves clarity when accessing files, reducing errors and physical strain.
5. Durability & longevity – cold-rolled steel construction ensures long service life in a demanding clinical environment.
6. Modernized functionality – the electric system aligns with the modern teaching hospital’s operational standards.