Bianca Cortero

Hey there, welcome to my website! I'm studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo.

I'm interested in robotics, automation, and welding. I'm currently seeking Summer 2026 internships and opportunities to enhance my learning!

While you're here, please take a look at the projects I've been up to :)

Contact Me

PORTFOLIO

CONTROLS

Sealer Robot Purging Automation

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

What?

Compressed air in an adhesive sealant nozzle causes unstable beads, forcing the robot to reapply material and overcycle, increasing downtime
The robot had to be manually purged for 5 minutes by the operator

How?

Developed PLC ladder logic that detects robot idle time and self-executes purge cycles
Designed purging to occur only when the robot is in home position and the station in a safe, fault-free condition

Results

Decreased downtime caused by material reapplication by 26%
Structured the program with modular, configurable logic for long-term maintainability and reusability
Created an operator-friendly HMI screen to customize auto-purge parameters

Torque Tool Controls Optimization

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

What?

Torque faults were the #1 productivity issue on the line where the outer panels of the car get fastened using handheld guns
Entire line stops due to a failed pokayoke (error proofing), caused by an incomplete torque confirmation from the gun receiver
Applied genchi genbutsu (go-and-see), 4M, and 5-Why analysis to find root cause: poor gun-to-receiver signal

How?

Designed a mounting post to relocate the receiver closer to the gun to increase signal strength
Analyzed electrical schematics to reconfigure I/O connections and determined appropriate wire gauge for long-distance cable routing
Integrated a new receptacle by selecting proper voltage and current ratings to meet the receiver’s power requirements

Results

Reduced equipment-related weekly downtime by 97%
Standardized across all applicable weld shop stations
Enhanced operator experience; led to smoother tool use and higher team-member team-member satisfaction

MECHANICAL DESIGN

Station Material Handler & Process Redesign

Martinrea International

What?

The material handling robot previously couldn’t access the press machine
The operator had to load the part twice, onto the press machine then the spot welding fixture

How?

Redesigned the end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) to make the part accessible from the opposite end
Swapped the LH and RH anchor blocks to accommodate reversed part loading orientation for EOAT access

Results

Automated the part transfer from press to welding fixture, reducing 4 seconds/cycle from operator’s cycle time
Optimized operator’s workload by 50%, enabling operator to load LH and RH stations in one cycle

MeowToos: User-Customizable Tattoo Drawing Robot

What?

Pre-made temporary tattoos are the only option for users testing designs or with health/religious restrictions
Demand exists for customizable temporary tattoos without permanent commitment

How?

Coded a C++ program and user interface to enable users to select their preferred tattoo themes and elements
Designed a dual-axis gantry system using motorized LEGO parts

Results

Gained a 93% ease of use rating
Generates unique designs using a randomization algorithm, based on user’s desired elements and quantities
Robot prototype that draws the user’s custom 10x10 cm design in < 5 min

WELDING

Custom Steel Divider

What?

Client required a divider that aligned with their intended office use and spatial constraints
Design had to incorporate an existing wooden piece owned by the client

How?

Developed the concept on SolidWorks and created a drawing for manufacturing
MIG welded the steel structure and assembled final product with client’s wooden piece

Results

Fully functional divider, providing visual privacy in client’s office workspace
Satisfied client’s spatial constraints, aesthetic preferences, and integrated the sentimental wooden piece in the final product