Air Products licenses Icefly cryogenics

Air Products, Allentown, Pa., an industrial gas and chemical supplier, has licensed its proprietary cryogenic machining technology to Advanced Research Systems Inc. (ARS), a manufacturer of industrial and research cryogenic equipment in nearby Macungie, Pa. The technology license agreement gives ARS extensive rights to Air Products' patented Icefly Cryogenic Machining Technology, which has been applied to the machining of metals and polymers. Also included in the agreement is the transfer of Icefly cryogen delivery equipment design information and cryogenic machining know-how developed by Air Products.

Icefly cryogen delivery equipment is compact, can be retrofitted to automated machine tools and machining centers and delivers either a consistent, saturated stream of liquid nitrogen for metals machining or a preset low-temperature gaseous nitrogen stream for polymer machining. When used for metals machining, the vaporization of liquid nitrogen targeted at the cutting tool provides efficient cooling during the cutting operation, thereby enhancing tool life, enabling increased cutting speeds and feeds, and displacing the use of conventional coolants, according to the company. When used for polymer machining, especially for applications within the medical segment where the use of traditional coolants may be undesirable or unacceptable, the equipment can deliver a predetermined low-temperature gaseous nitrogen stream to minimize and, in some cases, eliminate burrs on the workpiece.

"We are confident that ARS has the engineering and cryogenic equipment fabrication capabilities to successfully apply, offer, and support Icefly Cryogenic Machining Technology in the machining marketplace," said Jeffrey Knopf, manager, licensing and technology transfer at Air Products. "We also welcome the opportunity to help ARS customers determine the most efficient and economical nitrogen supply option to meet their specific needs."

"We are pleased to offer Icefly Cryogenic Machining Technology as a licensee of Air Products and look forward to building on their applications and equipment design experience," said Ravi Bains, president of ARS. "Collaboration between a technology and operations-focused company such as Air Products and a mid-size specialty cryogenics business such as ARS is an effective model to commercialize the cryomachining solution to the machining segment."

ARS will offer applications expertise and market Icefly cryogen delivery equipment under a newly formed subsidiary called Industrial Cryogenic Technologies (ICT), a company that offers both Icefly equipment and turnkey offerings to integrate the cryomachining solution.