Numerical Controls of the AlbatrosNT family are all characterized by PC-based architectures that remain entirely similar from one application version to another, differing only in the adoption of a specific software layer for the User Interpreter and Interface (user Interface Modules).
     The particularly innovative feature displayed by this generation of CNCs is that the operating environment of the PC handles not only the classic functionalities of User Interface, Programming and Processing, but also the more critical functions enabling real time control over machine processes, exploiting the multitasking capabilities of WindowsNT" and enhancing them with the VenturCOM Hard Real Time RTX extension.
     Depending on the complexity of the target system, it has been possible either to unify these functionalities within a single controller PC ( Alb_iNC version ), or in the case of more complex "Multimodule" solutions (Clipper version ), to separate the User I/F functionalities (Off-Line, assigned to a Supervisor PC) from the On-Line process control functionalities, which are assigned to remote Embedded PCs connected by way of a LAN.
     In either case, this type of architecture allows a notable level of standardization in system hardware since it utilizes off-the-shelf modules and components; this significantly reduces the need for dedicated hardware, which is limited exclusively to "Motion Control Cards" plugged directly into the PC bus, and intelligent peripherals (Albrexx modules located remotely on "Greenbus" field buses) used to pilot Input/Output devices of the machine.
      The modular structure of the system makes for easy and convenient sizing. The system is configurable using software procedures to select and program both the number and types of axes (from 4 to 32) and the number and distribution of peripheral Input-Output devices, achieving extreme flexibility and optimization of the setup. This type of standardized operating environment also allows configuration of the system using a single firmware platform affording particular effectiveness and reliability, and an applications layer based on 32 bit architectures with component logic, which is especially robust, flexible and receptive to customization, even by the customer, thanks to a set of internal development tools and to the use of standardized interfacing procedures (COM/DCOM).



     In terms of structure, the AlbatrosNT Numerical Control is composed of:

• Personal Computer Pentium II, or higher, functioning as central process controller
• AlbNT Motion Control Cards - 4/8x, for analog axes (d.c. and/or brushless motors)
• AlbSLM Motion Control Cards - 4/8x, for digital axes
• AlbIO32 card, for high speed control of local I/Os (Fast In/Out)
• AlbStep remote modules, used to control stepping motors
• Remote modules of the Albre8/48 family, for management of digital Input/Output signals internally of the machine
• Albyapp portable console , used for remote manual control and as a teaching pendant