Preparative Chromatography Columns & Packing Systems
Preparative Chromatography Columns & Packing Systems
Mechotech designs and manufactures preparative chromatography columns and the electrically-driven packing systems that fill them, engineered for peptide, protein, API and natural-product purification. Built around a recyclable, spring-loaded dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) design, each column holds the packed bed under constant, uniform pressure so it stays stable, homogeneous and efficient wash after wash. Available in a range of internal diameters and adjustable bed lengths configured to the application, the columns are compatible with silica and polymeric media across every common separation mode. The matched packing station compresses the bed electrically — with no compressed gas — for a safe, repeatable, high-density pack every time.
A Mechotech chromatography column is a high-pressure, all-media-compatible vessel in which a moving piston keeps the stationary-phase bed continuously compressed, limiting the voids and channels that degrade resolution over a campaign. Product-contact surfaces are electropolished stainless steel with chemically inert seals, and an optional water jacket lets the whole bed be held at a set temperature for reproducible, temperature-sensitive separations. The operating-pressure rating is configured to the model and confirmed for each project, and the column runs at low pressure during packing, which is intended to protect fragile media. The dedicated packing station uses a pulseless piston with adjustable speed, is offered in an explosion-proof (EX) configuration for flammable-solvent areas, and is manufactured under Mechotech's quality management system (current ISO certificates are listed on the Certificates page) (applicable pressure-equipment requirements are confirmed per project); Mechotech also provides an on-site column-packing and re-packing service so users can commission or refresh a bed to a verified efficiency specification.
Technical Specifications
| Column Type | Recyclable spring-loaded dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) column |
|---|---|
| Internal Diameter | Configured to the application (laboratory-prep to process scale) |
| Bed Length | Adjustable within the piston travel; configured per model |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | Configured to model; rating confirmed per project |
| Packing Pressure | Low column pressure, media-protective |
| Media Compatibility | Silica and polymeric, all common modes |
| Separation Modes | Normal phase, RPC, IEX, HIC, affinity, Protein A, chiral |
| Product-contact Material | Electropolished stainless steel with inert seals |
| Temperature Control | Optional water jacket (configurable) |
| Packing Drive | Electrically-driven, gas-free, pulseless piston |
| Packing Speed | Adjustable / variable speed |
| Hazardous-Area Option | Explosion-proof (EX) packing station |
| Compliance | Manufactured under Mechotech's quality management system (current ISO certificates are on the Certificates page); applicable pressure-equipment and hazardous-area requirements confirmed per project |
| Service | On-site column packing and re-packing to efficiency spec |
Plant Capacities
| Scale | Typical use | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Method development / small prep | Method development, small-scale purification | Column internal diameter and bed length configured to the method |
| Laboratory / pilot prep | Pilot purification and scale-up studies | Configured to model with the matched packing station |
| Production / process | Production campaigns | Configured to batch size and media; larger and custom sizes on request |
Column size, bed length and operating-pressure rating are configured to each model and confirmed for the project. The matched electrically-driven packing station, optional water jacket and seal set are scaled to the column.
Manufacturing Process
Media & Column Selection
The separation mode, target purity and batch size set the choice of stationary phase and the column internal diameter and bed length, from laboratory-prep to process scale.
Slurry Preparation
The chosen silica or polymeric media is suspended in a compatible solvent to a controlled slurry concentration, ensuring an even particle distribution before it enters the column.
Electrically-Driven Packing
The packing station drives the piston electrically — with no compressed gas — compressing the slurry into a dense, uniform, void-free bed at a pulseless, adjustable speed.
Dynamic Axial Compression
The spring-loaded piston keeps the packed bed under constant axial pressure throughout operation, so it stays homogeneous and stable even as mobile-phase flow and pressure change.
Efficiency Qualification
The freshly packed bed is tested for plate count, asymmetry and back-pressure so the column is released against a documented efficiency specification.
Purification Run
Sample is loaded and eluted within the pressure rating confirmed for the column; an optional water jacket holds the bed at a set temperature for reproducible, temperature-sensitive separations.
Cleaning & Regeneration
Between batches the bed is cleaned, sanitised and re-equilibrated in place; the recyclable design lets the same column and media be reused across many campaigns.
Re-Packing Service
When a bed reaches end of life it is unpacked and re-packed — on site or by Mechotech's packing service — restoring efficiency without replacing the column hardware.
Applications
- Preparative and process purification of synthetic and recombinant peptides
- Protein and monoclonal-antibody capture and polishing
- Small-molecule API and intermediate purification
- Isolation of natural-product actives, alkaloids and flavonoids
- Chiral separation of enantiomers for pharmaceutical use
- Desalting, buffer exchange and fraction polishing
- Nutraceutical, food and cosmetic ingredient purification
- Process scale-up from laboratory method to production campaign
Key Features
Recyclable Dynamic-Axial-Compression Design
A spring-loaded piston keeps the bed under constant compression, so it stays void-free and efficient across repeated packs and campaigns.
Gas-Free Electrically-Driven Packing
The column is packed by an electric drive rather than compressed gas, giving a safer, cleaner and highly repeatable high-density bed.
All-Media Compatibility
Columns accept silica and polymeric stationary phases across normal-phase, reverse-phase, ion-exchange, HIC, affinity and chiral modes.
Configurable ID & Adjustable Bed Length
Internal diameter and bed length are configured to the application, covering method development through production scale.
Pressure Rating Confirmed per Project
The operating-pressure rating is configured to the column model and confirmed for each project, while packing is done at low column pressure to protect delicate media.
Optional Water Jacket & EX-Proof Station
A water jacket holds the bed at a set temperature, while the explosion-proof, pulseless, adjustable-speed packing station suits flammable-solvent areas — manufactured under Mechotech's quality management system (current ISO certificates are listed on the Certificates page).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) chromatography column?
Why is the column packed electrically instead of with compressed gas?
What column sizes and pressures are available?
Which stationary phases and modes do the columns support?
What is the optional water jacket for?
Do you provide a column-packing service?
Does Mechotech supply the column and packing system turnkey?
Which related Mechotech plants are listed with this one?
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