Chromatography columns are available for pilot and process applications for cGMP production. The columns are available in three different pressure ratings, bioprocess, medium pressure and preparative HPLC. A patent-pending hoist-free design allows column frits and seals to be removed, cleaned, and replaced without column disassembly. Dynamic axial compression guarantees that bed integrity is maintained through shrink/swell cycles and pressure changes up to 10X longer than non-dynamic columns. The use of piston packing permits rapid and reproducible pack/unpack and eliminates the need for a packing station and the lengthy packing protocol optimization for each stationary phase required.