xxxxxxxxxx
The hex file is created as a part of the Verify process.
To obtain the hex file:
1. Select File -> Prefences and check verbose output for compile
2. Now when you compile the second to last line that is displayed is:
C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Local\Temp\build<Build id>.tmp\<Your arduino project name>.ino.hex
And that is the link to your hex file.