The automated multiple development chamber was designed for applications employing incremental multiple development with a decreasing solvent strength gradient, Fig. 8. The operating variables of layer conditioning, mobile phase composition for each development, solvent front migration distance,drying time, and the number of developments are entered into the computer-based control unit. Without further intervention the complete separation sequence is carried out. The layer remains in a fixed position and the mobile phase components are selected from up to five solvent bottles, mixed, and then added to the chamber. A sensor monitors the solvent front migration distance. At the selected distance, the development is stopped by draining the mobile phase from the chamber and removing solvent adsorbed by the layer by vacuum.