A conversation with Chuck Friedrichs of Tri Tool Inc.

As vice president of domestic sales for Tri Tool Inc., Chuck Friedrichs combines his extensive field experience with leadership and business management to head the domestic sales team. BIC Magazine recently visited with Friedrichs to learn more about him, his experience and the services Tri Tool offers.

Don't let them fool you; it's good to be Square!

Over the years, the phrase “to be square” has had negative connotations. In the world of orbital tube welding, nothing could be better.

Welder shortage demands innovative solutions

One of the unintentional consequences of the “Information Age” is an entire generation has preferred career paths in information and computer technology instead of traditional professions like welding and countless other trades. This cultural occupational shift has factored greatly into the critical shortage of skilled welders that number into hundreds of thousands.

Benefits of Multi-Process Mechanized Orbital Welding Systems

In the industrial workplace, fully featured orbital welding systems are providing solutions that address issues such as a shortage of skilled workers; increased requirements for weld certification, growing the need for cost savings, and more.

PRESS RELEASE: Faster, Better, Safer

Tri Tool’s next generation clamshell lathe, the RBL-G2 was designed with safety in mind

Rancho Cordova, CA – November 7, 2014 

Tri Tool announces the new RBL-G2, the next generation in clamshell lathes. Designed to be faster, better and safer, the RBL-G2 is built for safety, performance and speed.

Get Maximum Bit life and Performance With Your Premium Tri Tool Bits

Your purchase of high quality Tri Tool bits is the first step to ensuring that you produce excellent machining results each and every time. In addition to well-crafted bits, the manner and techniques of the use of the bits can make a significant difference. Factors such as surface cutting speed and feed pressure can greatly affect cutting results.

PRESS RELEASE: It’s not just about the prep

Tri Tool recognized with AWS 2014 Image of Welding Award 

Rancho Cordova, CA – October 20, 2014  Tri Tool has been recognized as a leading designer and manufacturer of quality portable machining products that prep the tube or pipe for welding for over 40 years. “For a company to design products around prepping the pipe for welding, it was imperative that we have an intimate knowledge of the process of welding as well”, said Dr. George J. Wernette, President and Chairman of the privately-held Tri Tool and AWS Member since 1980.

AWS, Scouts, and Businesses Cooperate in Community ADA Compliance Project

A major public sports complex located in Folsom CA needed to improve access for the elderly and disabled members of the community who depend on the center for exercise and recreation. The dynamic sports complex boasts an indoor soccer field, two basketball courts, three indoor volleyball courts, four indoor batting cages, and a pitching/hitting cage.

Meet our largest PFM ever built.

Fresh from assembly are two of Tri Tool’s largest PipeMASTER series of pipe facing machines. The PFM 4876 boasts a range of beveling, facing and counterboring from 48” all the way up to 76” inside diameter.

Safe operation of portable machining equipment

By Pat Flippen

Portable machining equipment is a very effective method to produce high-quality field machining results.

Personnel safety on the jobsite is the highest-ranking factor when determining the ultimate success or failure of an individual project’s final performance metrics. Jobsite hazards should be identified and quantified for every phase of the project, then addressed with compensatory or mitigation planning.

Service Performance Profile: TVA - Sequoyah Nuclear

Faced with an emergent need to replace a Reactor Coolant System primary check valve at the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, TVA turned to Tri Tool to deliver quality services in an expedited time frame.

During a recent refueling outage, replacement was required of a critical 6" stainless-steel Reactor Coolant System primary check valve. The valve was approximately 24 inches long and 600 lbs. and was located in a tight, congested area. Special considerations were required as the valve and associated piping were very contaminated.

Safety Focus: Special Project Safety Considerations When Working with On-Site Service Personnel

Tri Tool Services prides themselves with rapid, reliable response to customers' on-site machining requirements. In certain instances however, OSHA safety requirements for personnel that operate portable (rotating) machine tools differ in significant ways from site specific safety plans and can cause unnecessary delays or prevent work from proceeding.

TECH TIP: Eliminating Flow-line Contamination When Thin-Wall Severing

For severing where cutting debris or contamination of the interior flow line is a concern, there is a method called "Blue Line" cutting that effectively turns any pipe (1) into a "thin wall" suitable for roller wheel separation.

Tri Tool Attending UA's Instructor Training Program Registration Day Event

Tri Tool has been invited to the UA’s Instructor Training Program Registration Day event.  It will be held August 9 from 8am – 4pm at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Tri Tool is proud to support the International Pipe Trades Joint Training Committee programs over the years.

This year we are excited to showcase our new CouponMASTER, weld coupon machine.  This welding coupon cutting tool is the perfect solution for union halls, colleges and trade schools where a high number of coupons are utilized for basic welding training and for qualification of welders using heavy wall pipe.

Hope to see you there!

PRESS RELEASE - High Production Stainless Steel Tube Cutter for Thin-Wall Applications

Tri Tool extends the 500 Series SeverMASTER product line

Rancho Cordova, CA – July 03, 2014 – With the introduction of the new 5712AC and the 5716AC series SeverMASTER^® severing and squaring platforms, Tri Tool has created the ideal complement to their existing 500 series high production thin-wall tube cutting and squaring machines.

PRESS RELEASE - SMUD testing high performance cooling system

SMUD industrial customer deploys Climate Wizard system for the rigors of real-world daily use

Rancho Cordova, CA – June 24, 2014 - One thing is certain in Sacramento during the summer: The weather will be hot and dry and temperatures will hit triple digits. It is certainly a challenge to stay cool. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is testing a new type of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technology that borrows from and builds on some tried and true techniques to deliver cooling that improves performance, using a little more  power to run fans when the temperatures outside continue to rise.

Tri Tool Provides Critical Solutions for International Land-Based Pipeline

Tri Tool Services provided international mission critical support such as an equipment implementation for a major petroleum producer in Oman. This 2 year-long project required multi-level support including custom equipment engineering, equipment logistics, and specialized

customer training, along with field machining and project coordination personnel. 

10 Factors to Consider When Implementing Orbital Welding

by Bill Atkinson

As the capabilities and technology of welding systems have continually progressed, more and more companies are considering the implementation of orbital welding as a cost effective alternative manufacturing and fabrication process. For companies that plan to include orbital welding to their workflow, some background and basic operating fundamentals can assist you with the selection of the right equipment for the job.

Tri Tool Opens its Doors in Stafford, Texas!

On Wednesday, May 7th, Tri Tool hosted a grand opening celebration at their new 15,000 square foot office and warehouse, located in Stafford, just 19 miles southwest of Houston. The new, expanded facility allows Tri Tool to better serve their customers in the onshore and offshore pipeline, oil & gas and manufacturing industries.

PRESS RELEASE - Tri Tool Introduces the CouponMASTER

Saves Time and Money in Producing & Recycling Heavy-Wall Weld Coupons 

Rancho Cordova, CA – May 9, 2014 – The new CouponMASTER™ Weld Coupon Machine from Tri Tool, a world recognized leading precision machine tool manufacturer, is the perfect solution for union halls, colleges and trade schools

PRESS RELEASE - AdaptARC OrbitMASTER Software Release

Tri Tool is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of the OrbitMASTER controller software, WeldHost, Version 1.64 on May 07, 2014.

PRESS RELEASE - Tri Tool Announces Opening of Houston Facility to Serve Gulf Region

Renewed focus on offshore and onshore pipeline Oil & Gas markets

Rancho Cordova, CA – March 18, 2014 – Tri Tool Incorporated today announced that they will be opening a new 15,000 square foot office and warehouse location to better serve the Offshore and Onshore Pipeline Oil & Gas industries in the Gulf Region.

TECH TIP: Easy Mandrel Depth Setting for Single Point Machining.

Correct Miter Mandrel depth is critical when single point machining.

PRESS RELEASE - Tri Tool Announces New High Production CNC Counterbore Service

Rancho Cordova, CA – February 17, 2014 – Tri Tool Incorporated today introduced a CNC highproduction counterboring service for the offshore market with unique, seven axis CNC controls. To meet the demand for deep counterbore machining of steel catenary risers and critical pipeline construction needs, Tri Tool has designed and manufactured the new high speed system with safety as a top priority. “No one else has this technology, and now along with our laser-assisted pipe end alignment, productivity will be tremendously increased for our customers,” says Todd Fox, Vice President of International Sales.  Tri Tool Services will operate the equipment which will be mobilized for on-site service from the company’s new Houston location.

PRESS RELEASE - Tri Tool Launches New Brand Identity

Rancho Cordova, CA – January 13, 2014 – Tri Tool Incorporated today introduced a new brand identity for it’s over 40 year old privately-held company. The double “T” symbolizes the company’s name, Tri Tool and the new tagline “Building Performance” reflects their dedication to building high performing quality tools, services and teams.