Can I Use Automation Lanes To Control Hardware Synths?

No there is currently no way to convert Automation data to CC MIDI events.

However, there is a way to get an Automation lane to send CC Data. 

Create a MIDI track with its output set to your Hardware MIDI port.

On the track view, hit Shift=A to create an automation lane on that MIDI track.  On the Automation lane edit filter dropdown, select "MIDI" (The last item).  This brings up the controller selection dialogue box (looks like the controller selection in the PRV).  This allows you to select which controller you wish this automation lane to display and edit.

You can now edit that controller using an automation lane.

As a test, I created a MIDI track, and created an automation lane mapped to MIDI Controller 10 (Pan).  I drew some nodes to change the pan position of the track.  I put some notes in the MIDI track.  I played the track and the external controller (An SW1000XG in a second PC driven by a USB to MIDI cable) responded correctly to the PAN position as defined by the nodes in the automation lane.

So what Craig stated is the way to go and does work.

That being said, with Platinum's new transform tool (post 2017.4), for MIDI only projects, I now use PRV controller lane and don't use automation lanes.