HDNG Hardinge Inc. (delisted)

Air Products, Hardinge Collaborate to Offer Advanced Machining Technology for the Metals Industry LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE:APD) and Hardinge (NASDAQ:HDNG) today announced a marketing relationship that will package advanced machining technologies to the North American metals industry. The agreement - the first of its kind in the industry - allows Hardinge to offer Air Products' ICEFLY(R) machining technology as part of its QUEST(R) line of metal cutting lathes. Hardinge QUEST lathes are used to cut metal into specific shapes. The lathes rotate the metal, holding it in place while a cutting tool shaves away material. This machining process generates a great deal of heat, however, and higher temperatures limit productivity. Air Products' ICEFLY machining technology uses patented technology to overcome this problem. A jet of liquid nitrogen, cooled to -320 degrees F, is sprayed on the insert and leaves no residue on the machining equipment or the parts. The ICEFLY machining technology also allows for precise cutting at rates of up to 200 percent faster as compared to the cutting rates achieved on the same lathe without the ICEFLY machining technology. And the ICEFLY machining technology is designed to increase tool life by up to 250 percent. Ultimately, its ability to offset the extreme temperatures normally generated during the cutting of hard-to-machine materials allows manufacturers to effectively operate in the "fully hardened condition" - a condition that includes the precise cutting of the strongest and hardest metals. "This is the most complete and cutting-edge solution for machinists today," explained Mike Epting, business manager at Air Products. "Both Hardinge and Air Products are recognized market leaders, and our technologies complement each other well. But while it's a great business decision for each company, our customers are the real winners." "Nowhere else will our customers be able to find such high-performing, hard-turning options," added Hans Strey, Hardinge hard turning specialist. "Our portfolio has just been significantly enhanced with the ability to jointly market Air Products' ICEFLY machining technology." The ICEFLY machining technology is being marketed by Hardinge to customers looking for a cost-effective and high-performing solution for hard-to-machine materials. ICEFLY machining technology can be retrofitted to existing lathes at customer sites, or added as an optional feature on a new Hardinge QUEST lathe. Air Products and Hardinge will display the ICEFLY machining technology on a Hardinge QUEST lathe at the Eastec Machining Show in Springfield, Mass., from May 24-26. The technology will be demonstrated at Hardinge booth #1341. ***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. DATASOURCE: Air Products CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Tom Yencho, +1-610-481-1192, e-mail: , or Investor Inquiries: Phil Sproger, +1-610-481-7461, e-mail: , both of Air Products Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/

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