Support fixture for chromatography columns

A support fixture for chromatography columns operated by a liquid handling robot, the support fixture comprising:

• a frame having at least one column stand extending vertically upward from a base of the frame and terminating at an upper portion, and a drainage reservoir horizontally offset from the at least one column stand, the at least one column stand comprising a plurality of bores extending vertically between the base and the upper portion of the at least one column stand;
• a lid movably attached to the upper portion of the at least one column stand and including a sloped surface;
• wherein the lid is movable between an open position configured to allow insertion of chromatography columns into the plurality of bores and a closed position configured to secure the chromatography columns in the plurality of bores;
• and
• wherein the lid includes a plurality of openings that axially align with the plurality of bores with the lid in the closed position and the sloped surface descends from the plurality of openings toward the drainage reservoir with the lid in the closed position to retain liquid that escapes a top opening of one of the chromatography columns in the plurality of bores.