{"id":3055,"date":"2026-01-15T12:10:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T12:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chromacon.com\/?post_type=technology&p=3055"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:31:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:31:25","slug":"dynamic-process-control","status":"publish","type":"technology","link":"https:\/\/www.chromacon.com\/en\/technologies\/dynamic-process-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Dynamic Process Control (AutoPeak\u00ae & AutomAb\u00ae)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Dynamic Process Control <\/p>\n \n

\n Closed-Loop UV Control. AutoPeak\u00ae & AutomAb\u00ae.<\/strong>\n <\/h1>\n \n
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Real-time UV control that compensates for feed variation, column aging, and gradient drift \u2014 keeping every cycle on target without operator intervention. \u2502 24\/7<\/strong> Unattended GMP operation \u2502 Validated<\/strong> as Process Analytical Technology \u2502 Built into<\/strong> ChromIQ\u00ae<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n Request a Webinar<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/div>\n
\n AutomAb\u00ae – Application Note<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n AutomAb\u00ae – Application Note<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n The Problem with Timed Processes <\/h2>\n \n
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Continuous chromatography is cyclic \u2014 the same columns are loaded, washed, and eluted dozens, hundreds, or thousands of times over a campaign. In a purely timed process, every phase switch happens at a fixed time point set during method development. That works only when nothing changes.<\/p>\n

But things change. Feed titers fluctuate batch-to-batch. Columns age. Buffer batches vary. Temperature shifts affecting retention time. Any of these moves either the breakthrough curve (capture steps) or the elution peak (polishing steps) relative to your fixed timing. In a timed process, that translates directly to yield loss, purity excursions, or both.<\/p>\n

Managing this manually \u2014 an operator adjusting windows by hand each cycle \u2014 is not 24\/7 manufacturing. It is supervised batch operation running faster.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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\n From Development to Manufacturing: Where Dynamic Control Fits <\/h2>\n \n
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Fixed-time operation is the right starting point when converting a batch method to continuous mode. Conditions are well-defined, run numbers are low, and the process is closely supervised. AutoPeak\u00ae and AutomAb\u00ae are not required at this stage \u2014 and deliberately so: running without dynamic control first gives you a clean baseline and confirms the underlying process is sound.<\/p>\n

For scale-up and sustained manufacturing operation, UV-based dynamic control becomes essential. Retention time drift, column aging, and feed titer variability accumulate over time and across scales in ways that fixed timing cannot accommodate. AutoPeak\u00ae and AutomAb\u00ae are the step that takes a process from development-ready to production-ready<\/strong> \u2014 closed-loop UV control systems embedded in ChromIQ\u00ae, activated in dedicated tabs within the standard process wizard, responding to what is actually happening at the column outlet in real time, every cycle, without further operator input.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n

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AutoPeak\u00ae and AutomAb\u00ae \u2014 Side by Side<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Both controllers share the same principle: a real-time UV signal at the column outlet triggers the process decision, not the clock.<\/p>\n

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<\/th>\nAutoPeak\u00ae<\/strong><\/th>\nAutomAb\u00ae<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Applied to<\/strong><\/td>\nMCSGP, N-Rich\u00ae<\/td>\nCaptureSMB\u00ae<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phase controlled<\/strong><\/td>\nElution \u2014 fraction collection<\/td>\nLoading \u2014 interconnected phase switch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Signal monitored<\/strong><\/td>\nUV elution profile at column outlet<\/td>\nUV breakthrough signal at inter-column sensor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What it adjusts<\/strong><\/td>\nCollection window boundaries for product cut and side-cut zones<\/td>\nLoading duration and phase switch timing between columns<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compensates for<\/strong><\/td>\nRetention time drift, column aging, bed-height variation, feed variability<\/td>\nFeed titer variability, column aging, bed-height variation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Configured in<\/strong><\/td>\nMCSGP Wizard \u2014 “AutoPeak\u00ae Process Control” tab \/ N-Rich\u00ae Wizard \u2014 “AutoPeak\u00ae” tab<\/td>\nCaptureSMB\u00ae Wizard \u2014 “Method Settings & Performance” tab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scales to<\/strong><\/td>\nCUBE \u2192 PILOT 300X \u2192 TWIN HPLC<\/td>\nCUBE \u2192 TWIN LPLC – Capture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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How AutoPeak\u00ae Works<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Four phase transitions, independently controlled <\/h3>\n
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AutoPeak\u00ae controls up to four boundaries in the MCSGP elution profile \u2014 weak recycling start (t2), product collection start (t3), product collection end (t4), and strong recycling end (t5). Each maps to a section boundary defined on the batch chromatogram in the wizard. Each can be activated independently: activate only the transitions where drift is a real risk for your separation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Two trigger types, one peak <\/h3>\n
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Peak-front transitions (t2, t3 on ascending slope) use an absolute UV threshold in mAU<\/strong> \u2014 A new process phase is started the moment the rising signal passes the set level. Peak-tail transitions (t3\/t4\/t5 on descending slope) use a relative threshold \u2014 a percentage of that switch’s peak maximum<\/strong> \u2014 recalculated fresh every switch. This means tail triggers adapt automatically to changes in peak height as well as peak position.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Self-updating across the full column lifetime <\/h3>\n
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The combined effect: fraction boundaries follow the peak wherever it moves \u2014 retention time drift, peak height changes, resin aging \u2014 without any operator input after initial setup. One practical prerequisite: AutoPeak\u00ae performs best when the UV peak maximum falls between 100 and 1000 mAU, within the detector’s linear range. Outside this window, a simple path length or sensitivity adjustment gives cleaner control.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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