ROBOTIC APPARTUS AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVAL OF TURBINE BUCKET COVERS

A robotic apparatus and system for cutting turbine bucket covers on a turbine rotor are provided. The robotic apparatus includes a grinding device operable to drive a grinding wheel, a robotic arm coupled to the grinding device, a base member coupled to the robotic arm, a vision system for locating the fastener on the turbine bucket cover, and a control system. The base member is mounted independently of the turbine bucket cover. The control system is coupled to the vision system, the grinding device, and the robotic apparatus, and configured to control movement of the robotic apparatus and the grinding device based upon vision system data and spatial information related to the turbine bucket cover. The system includes at least a portion of a turbine rotor including a turbine bucket cover having at least one fastener thereon, and a robotic device for cutting the turbine bucket cover.