SA Affordable Housing November / December 2017 // Issue: 67 | Page 8

NEWS On the cutting edge of innovation A local industrial equipment supplier is proud to assist in endorsing recycling in South African construction. First Cut’s ‘can do’ philosophy and dedication to innovation have seen the development of many robust, high utility saw blades. C ape Town-based First Cut has significantly contributed to the drive for responsible recycling in construction. When a blade was needed to cut a new and unique type of board made of recycled cardboard, which is used by First Cut customers to construct low-cost housing – and when initial blade trials did not meet expectations – the First Cut team 'went back to the drawing board'. Calling on its six decades of cutting industry knowledge and experience, and after extensive testing, the team developed a completely new product for this application. The boards are two metres wide and, for cutting were stacked 20 high, which give a cutting depth of about 120mm. Accuracy is vital because, if the sides aren’t 6 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017 AFFORDABLE SA HOUSING straight, the panels will not be accepted and the recycling initiative would be unsuccessful. "We sought alternative steel types to find a solution. After trying