Greetings from the Bechtel Innovation Design Center. I would like to start by thanking our student employees; during any normal year, the Center would struggle without their commitment and aptitude. However, in these challenging times I cannot conceive of how the Center could have met Purdue students’ needs without the commitment of our student employees. In addition, the continued strong backing of our corporate sponsors has been critical in the introduction of new technologies and the expansion of our education. Kennametal continues to provide its world-leading tooling and technical support. Our relationship with Autodesk has deepened with an NDA in place for our detailed partnership covering advanced CAD/CAM. Haas provides support for students and our CNCs. Raptor TE-CO has partnered with us on acquiring/deploying its quick-change work holding and Master Fluid Solutions for critical engineering supplies, lab testing and know-how. The mission of the Bechtel Innovation Design Center is to be a responsive, student-focused and student-led educational community providing training, support and access to Purdue students to make their projects. On that basis, 2020 has been a smashing success. The next generation of student engineering leadership, mentored and grown at the Center, is evident in these novel processes and achievements:

1. Ground-up redesign and deployment of volunteering program for prospective student employees
2. Accessible 3D metal printing in the Prototyping lab
3. 3D metal laser cutting both sheet and tube coping
4. Welding synergizing with both 3D metal laser and waterjet cutting for structures and tanks
5. Manual machining
6. Electronics lab reorganization and training
7. Autodesk Manufacturing Partnership (NDA signed)
8. CNC machining revolution – beginning at CAD/CAM and finishing with tooling (p10)
9. Remote operation technologies and practices (p11)
10. Professionalization, tracking and chemistry of cutting fluids
11. Serving students safely within COVID-19 controls (p12)
12. The Boilermakery founded this Fall funded by the Student Fees Advisory Board (SFAB)

Please read the pages of this report for the details of these incredible accomplishments, despite the staffing, budgetary and operational restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Keep in mind that Purdue student leadership and energy is responsible for these achievements – proof that if we give them the opportunities, they work miracles. I have every reason to be confident 2021 will be another giant leap.

Matthew Swabey
Director