Just last year, Essen-based automation company ifm was honored with the Red Dot Design Award for outstanding industrial design. In 2024, the long tradition continues: this time, the award went to the PQ Cube pressure sensor for pneumatic applications.

The Red Dot Design Award has always been one of the most important prizes for industrial design. The award's roots date back to 1954, and since 2001, due to increasing internationalization, the “red dot” has been awarded as the Red Dot. It is almost a given that ifm appears on the list of winners of the competition: the company has already received the Red Dot Design Award in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023, most recently for the O3R camera platform, the OVP800 video processing unit, and the Multicover Puck.

The PQ Cube pressure sensor is the latest addition to this list of award winners: The sensor was developed specifically for use in pneumatic applications. At its heart is the measuring cell, which has already proven its high resistance to dirt and dust in previous PQ generations. A fully graphical 1-inch TFT display shows process values in various layouts, and switching points are signaled via LEDs. Commissioning is very easy using the included installation wizard, which guides you through the process in nine languages. If adjustments need to be made later, changes can be made flexibly via IO-Link or directly on the device. The PQ Cube is used in compressed air treatment, monitoring and measuring system pressure, and in vacuum and gripping applications, among other things.

Impressive design, operation, and accessories

The Red Dot jury was impressed by the purist design, intuitive operation, and versatile accessories. The robust measuring cell and full-graphic TFT display are unique selling points of the sensor. For Martin Schmidt, Senior Industrial Designer at ifm, the award is a very special confirmation of the good cooperation. He is particularly pleased with the timing of the project: “I was able to contribute my expertise to the fundamentals right from the start and accompany the project through to the end. The PQ Cube family is the result of collaboration between management, technology, and design,” he says. The Red Dot Design Award ceremony will take place on June 24 in Essen.