Improving the performance of the GTC's dome by upgrading the shutters and dome rotation

The dome of the Grantecan was delivered after its construction partially inoperative, due to problems with the contractor. The shutters of the dome did not work. The maintenance team managed to get it operational, with opening limitations. The telescope was inaugurated with this restriction in 2009. In 2015, a refurbishment was carried out, changing some of the major hardware and adding a new control strategy for the aperture. With these improvements it was possible to use the full functionality of the dome shutters, with full opening and emergency degraded closing, without relying on all the motors. Another problem was a defective assembly and design of the rotation bogies. It was decided to upgrade and correct them in 2023 to avoid wear of the bogies and the rail and to reduce vibrations towards the telescope. This could not be carried out in the previous months due to the ash caused by the Cumbre Vieja volcano. The bogie correction was then carried out progressively without affecting the scientific operations. The poster presents these advances that have strengthened the GRANTECAN dome without negatively impacting science operations.