LORD Corporation Tactile Feedback Device Business Expands Into Larger Vehicles, Broader European Markets

CARY, N.C., Feb. 15, 2005 -- LORD Corporation's advanced, fully integrated system to provide high-fidelity tactile feel has been expanded to more vehicles throughout Europe. Lift truck manufacturer Linde Group, the first company to incorporate LORD's TFD technology into its all-electric active reach trucks with steer-by-wire control, is putting the system into a broader range of vehicle.

Using its magnetorhelogical (MR) enabled technology, LORD Tactile Feedback Devices (TFDs) can improve operator control and safety in vehicle steering that is lost when traditional mechanical linkages and hydraulic systems are replaced with electronic steer-by-wire control.

In 2000, Linde Material Handling in the United Kingdom was the first to incorporate an advanced, fully integrated steering device developed by LORD that provides high-fidelity tactile feel in an all-electric active reach trucks with steer-by-wire control.

Fenwick-Linde S.A.R.L., based in France, now has expanded the unique steer-by-wire technology into a full line of its all-electric lift trucks for a wide range of materials handling applications.

Linde incorporated the LORD TFD to improve operator control and safety, because the company realized that the vehicle was unsafe to operate without high-quality tactile feedback to the steering wheel. The LORD TFD simulates the resistive torque of wheel end-of-turn so the operator can "feel" where the wheels are. The LORD TFD also increases rotational resistance as vehicle speed increases to reduce the likelihood of vehicle rollover during over- steer.

Linde chose a LORD TFD because it produced a high-fidelity sense of "feel" to the operator and was easier to implement and less expensive than other active feedback systems including motors. The LORD TFD produces the same amount of torque in a package size 60 percent smaller than an electric motor.

LORD MR technology is based on proprietary and patented formulations, damper, mount, brake and clutch designs and sophisticated computer control algorithms. When exposed to a magnetic field, MR materials change consistency from a fluid state to a near-solid state. As a result, MR fluids provide infinitely variable control of energy dissipation for industrial and automotive devices, including primary and secondary suspensions.

The technology enables engineers to design a wide range of devices and systems with far greater flexibility than before possible. The result is improved performance, reduced part count and complexity, lower system cost, smaller package size and less weight.

In addition to commercial development partners, LORD works with university researchers to explore new applications.

  For information about LORD MR applications visit: www.mrfluid.com

  About LORD Corporation

LORD Corporation, with headquarters in Cary, NC, and sales in excess of $500-MM is a privately held company that designs, manufactures and markets devices and systems to manage mechanical motion and control noise and vibration; formulates, produces and sells general purpose and specialty adhesives and coatings; and develops products and systems utilizing magnetically responsive technologies. With plants in nine states and operations in 12 countries, LORD Corporation employs more than 2,200 worldwide. For more information, visit www.lord.com .