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<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2004<BR>
<BR>
REGISTRATION NO. 333-_____<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=4>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B><BR>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Washington, D. C. 20549<BR>
<BR>
____________________<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=4>FORM S-8<BR>
<BR>
</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
<BR>
____________________<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=5>HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION</B><BR>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)<BR>
</P></FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=638>
<TR><TD WIDTH="48%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">04-2423640</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="48%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="48%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">Nine Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">02048-9171</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="48%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">____________________<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=4>1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
</B></FONT>(As Amended and Restated)<BR>
<FONT SIZE=2>(Full Title of the Plan)<BR>
<BR>
<B>ROBERT J. LEPOFSKY, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER<BR>
</B>Helix Technology Corporation<BR>
Mansfield Corporate Center<BR>
Nine Hampshire Street<BR>
Mansfield, MA 02048-9171<BR>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=1>(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)<BR>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>with copies to:<BR>
<BR>
<B>MATTHEW J. GARDELLA, ESQ.</B><BR>
Palmer &amp; Dodge LLP<BR>
111 Huntington Avenue<BR>
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7613<BR>
(617) 239-0100<BR>
<BR>
<B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</P></B></FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=644>
<TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Title of Securities To Be Registered</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Amount To Be Registered(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Amount Of Registration Fee(1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">Common Stock, $1.00 par value</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">108,000 shares</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">n/a</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">n/a</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">$501.60</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=1><DIR>

<P>(1)    The Registration Statement registers an additional 108,000 shares issuable under the Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Such 108,000 shares are being carried forward from the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09245) for which a filing fee of $501.60 was previously paid by the Registrant for such shares.  An aggregate of 1,800,000 shares issuable under the Plan have previously been registered under Registration Statement Nos. 333-09247 and 333-104624.</P>
<P><HR ALIGN="RIGHT">  </P>
</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=3></DIR>

<P ALIGN="CENTER">Statement Regarding Incorporation By Reference From Effective Registration Statement</P>
</B>
<P>Pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09247) relating to the registration of an aggregate of 800,000 shares (after giving effect to the Registrant's 1997 two-for-one stock split) of the Registrant's Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock") authorized for issuance under the Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and its Registration Statement on Form S-8  filed with the Commission on April 18, 2003, (File No. 333-104624) relating to the registration of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this Registration Statement.  This Registration Statement provides for the registration of an additional 108,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.  Such shares were previously registered on the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09245) for issuance under the Registrant's 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Director Plan").  Pursuant to an amendment to the Plan adopted by the Registrant's shareholders on April 28, 2004, no additional options will be granted under the Director Plan and non-employee directors became eligible to participate in the Plan.  At the time of the amendment, 108,000 shares of Common Stock that previously had been registered for issuance under the Director Plan had not been issued and are hereby being registered for issuance under the Plan.  The registration fee paid for such shares is being carried forward to this Registration Statement.</P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><HR></P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</P>
<P><BR>
</B>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Mansfield, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 17<SUP>th</SUP> day of June, 2004.</P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=623>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>__/s/ Robert J. Lepofsky___________________</U></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert J. Lepofsky</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="55%" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><HR></P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">POWER OF ATTORNEY</P>
</B>
<P>We, the undersigned officers and directors of Helix Technology Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Robert J. Lepofsky and Jay Zager, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power to them in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 including any post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</P>

<P>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below:</P>
<U></U></FONT>
<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=638>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><U><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">Signature</B></U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><U><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">Title</B></U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<B><U><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">Date</P>
</B></U><P ALIGN="CENTER"></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Robert J. Lepofsky<BR>
</U>Robert J. Lepofsky</P>
<U></U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director, President and Chief Executive<BR>
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Jay Zager<BR>
</U>Jay Zager</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Senior Vice President and Chief<BR>
Financial Officer (Principal Financial and<BR>
Accounting Officer)</P>
<U></U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Gideon Argov<BR>
</U>Gideon Argov</P>
</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>______________<BR>
</U>Frank Gabron</P>
<U></U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Robert H. Hayes</U><BR>
Robert H. Hayes</P>
</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Marvin G. Schorr<BR>
</U>Marvin G. Schorr</P>
</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Alfred Woollacott, III</U><BR>
Alfred Woollacott</P>
</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><FONT SIZE=3><P>/s/ Mark S. Wrighton</U><BR>
Mark S. Wrighton</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="42%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">June 17, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<U><FONT SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><HR ALIGN="LEFT"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">EXHIBIT INDEX</P>
</U><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P></FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=638>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="RIGHT">Exhibit<U><BR>
Number</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P><BR>
<U>Description</U></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="RIGHT">5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Opinion of Palmer &amp; Dodge LLP as to the legality of the securities registered hereunder.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="RIGHT">23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="RIGHT">23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Consent of Palmer &amp; Dodge LLP.  Contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="RIGHT">24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=3><P>Power of Attorney.  Set forth on the signature page to this Registration Statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=2></FONT></BODY>
</HTML>
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Form S-8 (2004)  (MQM2832.DOC;2)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2004
REGISTRATION NO. 333-_____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
____________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________
HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
04-2423640
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Nine Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA
02048-9171
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
____________________
1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(As Amended and Restated)
(Full Title of the Plan)
ROBERT J. LEPOFSKY, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Helix Technology Corporation
Mansfield Corporate Center
Nine Hampshire Street
Mansfield, MA 02048-9171
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
with copies to:
MATTHEW J. GARDELLA, ESQ.
Palmer & Dodge LLP
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7613
(617) 239-0100
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities To Be Registered
Amount To Be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(1)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)
Amount Of Registration Fee(1)
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
108,000 shares
n/a
n/a
$501.60
(1)    The Registration Statement registers an additional 108,000 shares issuable under the Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Such 108,000 shares are being carried forward from the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09245) for which a filing fee of $501.60 was previously paid by the Registrant for such shares.  An aggregate of 1,800,000 shares issuable under the Plan have previously been registered under Registration Statement Nos. 333-09247 and 333-104624.
Statement Regarding Incorporation By Reference From Effective Registration Statement
Pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09247) relating to the registration of an aggregate of 800,000 shares (after giving effect to the Registrant's 1997 two-for-one stock split) of the Registrant's Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock") authorized for issuance under the Registrant's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and its Registration Statement on Form S-8  filed with the Commission on April 18, 2003, (File No. 333-104624) relating to the registration of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan are incorporated by reference in their entirety into this Registration Statement.  This Registration Statement provides for the registration of an additional 108,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.  Such shares were previously registered on the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 31, 1996, (File No. 333-09245) for issuance under the Registrant's 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Director Plan").  Pursuant to an amendment to the Plan adopted by the Registrant's shareholders on April 28, 2004, no additional options will be granted under the Director Plan and non-employee directors became eligible to participate in the Plan.  At the time of the amendment, 108,000 shares of Common Stock that previously had been registered for issuance under the Director Plan had not been issued and are hereby being registered for issuance under the Plan.  The registration fee paid for such shares is being carried forward to this Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Mansfield, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 17
th
day of June, 2004.
HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
By:
__/s/ Robert J. Lepofsky___________________
Robert J. Lepofsky
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned officers and directors of Helix Technology Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Robert J. Lepofsky and Jay Zager, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power to them in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 including any post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Robert J. Lepofsky
Robert J. Lepofsky
Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
June 17, 2004
/s/ Jay Zager
Jay Zager
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
June 17, 2004
/s/ Gideon Argov
Gideon Argov
Director
June 17, 2004
______________
Frank Gabron
Director
June 17, 2004
/s/ Robert H. Hayes
Robert H. Hayes
Director
June 17, 2004
/s/ Marvin G. Schorr
Marvin G. Schorr
Director
June 17, 2004
/s/ Alfred Woollacott, III
Alfred Woollacott
Director
June 17, 2004
/s/ Mark S. Wrighton
Mark S. Wrighton
Director
June 17, 2004
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
5.1
Opinion of Palmer & Dodge LLP as to the legality of the securities registered hereunder.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.
23.3
Consent of Palmer & Dodge LLP.  Contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto.
24.1
Power of Attorney.  Set forth on the signature page to this Registration Statement.