What is a CUBLOC-based custom control board?

CUBLOC Application: Customer-Designed Base Board with CB405RT

Below is a real-world example of a customer-designed base board using the CB405RT CUBLOC core module. 

What is a CUBLOC-based custom control board?

A CUBLOC-based custom control board is a customer-designed base PCB that uses a CUBLOC core module, such as the CB405RT, as its main controller. Instead of using a ready-made PLC or a bare MCU board, customers design a base board that includes only the interfaces and I/O they actually need.

This approach allows the control board to be optimized specifically for its target application.

What is this CUBLOC application used for?

In this example, the custom base board is used for an agricultural fertigation (nutrient solution) control system. Fertigation systems require reliable control of pumps, valves, sensors, and timing logic.

By designing a dedicated base board around the CB405RT core, the customer created a compact and cost-efficient controller tailored exactly to this agricultural application.

Why do customers design their own base PCBs with CUBLOC?

Many customers choose to design and manufacture their own base PCBs because it allows them to:

- Include only the required I/O and interfaces
- Eliminate unnecessary hardware costs
- Create a form factor optimized for their product
- Prepare the system for mass production

CUBLOC makes this approach practical by providing a ready-to-use control core while still allowing full freedom in base board design.

How much cost can be reduced compared to using a PLC?

Compared to a traditional PLC-based solution, a CUBLOC custom base board can reduce total hardware cost by more than 10×. PLCs are often over-specified for dedicated machines or products, especially in mass production.

By contrast, a CUBLOC-based board delivers exactly the required control functionality without the overhead and cost of a general-purpose PLC.

Why choose CUBLOC instead of a bare MCU?

While bare MCUs offer flexibility, they also place a heavy burden on development and maintenance. Customers choose CUBLOC because it provides:

- A more user-friendly development environment
- BASIC and Ladder Logic support
- Built-in handling of common industrial tasks
- Faster development and easier long-term maintenance

This allows engineers to focus on system functionality rather than low-level firmware complexity.

Is CUBLOC suitable for production-ready control boards?

Yes. CUBLOC is well suited for dedicated, production-ready control boards. By balancing ease of use, performance, and cost efficiency, CUBLOC enables customers to build reliable controllers for OEM products and mass-produced systems, including agricultural controllers and specialized industrial equipment.