Intro4u2u

Once considered the theoretical concept of academics, rarely applied in practice, life cycle cost analysis is fast becoming the accepted method for the evaluation of both capital projects and items of replacement plant. Indeed to assist pump users in the evaluation of whole life costs, the Confederation of Pump Manufacturers has in 1999 issued a specification (LLC) for establishing and reducing Life-cycle costs.
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The developed world has become acutely aware of the effect of its waste and the introduction of levies on CO2 emissions, now directly taxes the inefficient users of energy. Globalisation is squeezing maintenance budgets and demanding an increased mean time between major service outages.
Initial capital cost is, in most instances, a fraction of the whole life cost of a typical pumping installation. Energy consumption, unplanned downtime, maintenance and replacement parts can easily equate to in excess of 95% of the total life-cycle cost.
The increasing recognition amongst pump users that post installation costs clearly outweigh capital costs and are therefore the only true economic indicator applicable to capital purchases, prompted SPP Pumps Ltd to set up a combined Marketing & Engineering team to develop a range of low life-cycle cost utilities pumps.

Life-cycle Cost Analysis
What are the real costs associated with procuring, operating and maintaining water utility pumping plant? What are the largest, most variable or most invisible costs? Life-cycle cost can be broken-down for analysis purposes into a number of key components.
§ Initial Capital Cost
§ Operating/Energy Costs
§ Replacement/Wear Part Costs
§ Maintenance & Repair Costs
§ Disposal Costs

Initial Capital Cost
Capital cost is the most visible cost and has historically been the primary selection criterion for most items of capital equipment. Pump users are now becoming increasingly aware of post installation costs and their impact on the total cost of ownership. Lowest capital cost purchases rarely prove economic in the longer term and given that the initial capital cost of a centrifugal pump, inclusive of installation, typically equates to between 5%-20% of whole life cost, placing more emphasis on post installation cost will clearly prove much more economic.

Operating/Energy Costs
Energy costs can easily equate to as much as 90% of the whole life cost of a pumping installation, dependant on installed power and equipment utilisation. Analysis of operating costs, in terms of energy consumption, is relatively straightforward, given that pump utilisation and demand profiles are understood and predictable. The wire to water efficiency of existing or proposed installations can be compared and the results projected over the estimated lifetime of the installation. This should be a fundamental component of any tender assessment process or existing asset review procedure. The attached chart clearly depicts the cost of inefficiency, whilst providing visibility into the post installation savings associated with installing the most efficient equipment for a given duty.
Less visible however, is an installations capacity to operate at or near optimum efficiency throughout its operational life. A degree of degradation in hydraulic performance is inevitable with time. This degradation in performance is primarily a result of wear and erosion of internal clearances. Wear rings limit fluid re-circulation between the high and low-pressure areas within a centrifugal pump. A combination of erosion from high velocity fluid passing between the wear ring surfaces and mechanical wear, resultant from shaft deflection widens the clearances allowing an increase in internal re-circulation. Significantly, highlighting the importance of optimum pump selection, this process will be accelerated if the pump operates at a duty point less than 70% or more than 115% of best efficiency flow. The resultant loss of performances usually leads to the pump running for longer periods to deliver a given quantity of fluid. Erosion of hydraulic profiles and increases in the relative roughness of surfaces in contact with the pumped fluid, will also significantly impact on pump performance.

Replacement/Wear Part Costs
The replacement of major components within a pump, whether as a result of wear, erosion or following a component failure is often a very significant contributor to whole life costs. A replacement rotating assembly will typically equate to 70% of the costs of a replacement pump. It is not uncommon for all components forming the rotating assembly to require replacement within the lifetime of a installation. The selection of a conservatively engineered pump, manufactured from high-grade materials should negate this, substantially reducing maintenance costs and increasing the mean time between failure and major service outages.

Maintenance & Repair Costs
The cost of regular monitoring and preventative maintenance is a necessary component of an installations whole life cost and historical evidence shows that regular maintenance is a lower cost option than unplanned emergency repairs. When calculating the cost of maintenance, installation downtime and resultant loss of productivity should be considered. Savings associated with increased mean time between failure and service outages will offset any higher initial capital costs incurred when installing a well-engineered pump, designed for ease of maintenance.
A well-engineered installation should be so designed as to offer good bearing and seal life and facilitate all but a major overhaul insitu, without recourse to disturb either pipework or prime movers.

Features
Having identified the key constituent parts of whole life cost, what key features would be required of a low life-cycle cost centrifugal pump? The majority of pumps employed on utility type applications fall into the category of either, Horizontal Split Casing, Vertical Suspended Bowl or End Suction Pumps. Only the latter are regularly manufactured to recognised international standards e.g. ISO 5199. The requirement for low life-cycle cost pumps was identified as being mainly for branch sizes 150mm and above and not really applicable to the majority of End Suction Pump applications. The following key areas were identified following discussions between pump users and designers.

Mechanical Design
A significant change has taken place over the last decade in that the switch from soft packed glands to mechanical seals for shaft sealing on utility applications is near universal. The benefits of this change however have not been fully realised, as mechanical seal life is generally proportional to certain key aspects of pump performance, not least shaft deflection, vibration levels and seal chamber design. The vast majority of utility pumps available today have their design roots in the packed gland era. In many instances this is leading to premature bearing and seal failures, as many pump shafts are quite simply too flexible without the support of numerous packing rings and neck bushes.
This is arguably the most significant factor, influencing the mean time between failures of utility pumps. Mechanical seals and bearings are intolerant of shaft deflection and residual unbalance. Therefore I suggest that a pump designed for low life-cycle cost would have a shorter span between bearings and an increased shaft diameter when compared to a similar pump designed in the packed gland era. Specifically shafts should be so designed, as to limit shaft deflection at the limits of the operating range of say, 50% - 115% of best efficiency flow, to a maximum of 0.05mm at the seal faces. Bearings likewise should be designed to provide a minimum L10 life of 50,000 hours at these limits.

Hydraulic Design
With the aid of 3-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics, pump manufacturers are now able to produce hydraulic designs that achieve the theoretical maximum efficiency for a given specific speed or impeller geometry. The challenge is then to consistently replicate these designs in material form. High quality manufacturing techniques and procedures are therefore essential, particularly as pump casings and impellers (the most dimensionally critical components of any centrifugal pump) tend to be produced as castings. Only foundry techniques that ensure a high standard of dimensional accuracy and surface finish should be employed in low life-cycle cost pump production.

Efficiency Degradation
The maximum benefit of installing an energy efficient machine will only be realised if performance levels can be maintained for long periods of time between overhauls. Performance degradation is inevitable, however a combination of good hydraulic and mechanical design can have a positive impact in this area and prolong optimum efficiency for much longer periods of time.
Important hydraulic designs consi-derations are:
§ Maintenance of optimum clearances between the impeller outside diameter and the volute cut-water, which will avoid vane pass cavitation.
§ Optimisation of impeller geometry with satisfactory suction specific speed values, this will limit internal re-circulation and facilitate a wide band of operation (30%-115% of best efficiency flow).
§ Apply internal hydrophobic coating (low electronic affinity) in order to reduce the relative surface roughness value of the pump casing; Thus maintaining the relative surface roughness values at a more constant level, unlike that of a bare metal casing, which will oxidise once put into service immediately impacting on hydraulic performance.
Mechanical design considerations:
§ Minimisation of shaft deflection will ensure no contact between impeller eye ring and sealing/wear rings surfaces, thus maintaining as new clearances for longer periods.
§ Often overlooked but highly important is wear ring design. A labyrinth profile will help to provide a staged pressure drop across the wear ring, rather than simply allowing high velocity fluid to flow across wear ring faces rapidly eroding internal clearances.
§ High-grade materials of construction for the pump impeller with good erosion/corrosion properties will ensure that the relative roughness of hydraulic surfaces remain reasonably smooth throughout.

Packaging the Pumpset
When packaging a low life-cycle cost pump with a suitable prime mover, it is important to ensure that the same fundamental design principles be applied to the prime mover, baseplate/mounting assembly.
The benefits of a superior hydraulic design and first class component quality can easily be forfeited by coupling the highly efficient pump to a lower efficiency driver. Likewise bearing and seal design lives will not be realised if the pump and driver are connected via a flexible and inadequate baseplate or mounting frame.
The mounting arrangement as well as being rigid should facilitate a high degree of insitu maintenance. Mechanical seals and bearings should be accessible without recourse to disturb either driver alignment of connecting pipework. This dictates the use of spacer type couplings, if drive end bearings and seals are to be maintainable insitu.

Conclusion/Design Brief
Following the marketing & design review it was decided to develop a range of low life-cycle pumps, for water utility applications, based on the following brief:
A low life-cycle cost centrifugal pump will have hydraulic efficiency close to the theoretical maximum, thus minimising energy costs, identified as the largest single component cost.
In order to meet the demands of the 21st century utility application the pump should show stable characteristics associated with optimum suction specific speed, thus being able to operate reliably and efficiently across a wide range of flow conditions.
Shaft deflection should be kept to the absolute minimum in order to reduce vibration and maximise bearing and seal life. Specifically shaft deflection at the seal face with mechanically sealed pumps should not exceed seal manufacturers recommendations. This calculation should be carried out across all potential operating conditions. The pumps should firstly be designed for mechanical seals, which should be fitted directly onto the pump shaft, facilitating larger shaft diameters and reduced bearing spans..
Pumps should be so designed and pumpsets so configured that mechanical seals and bearings can be removed and replaced insitu without recourse to disturb either pipework or driver alignment. This will substantially reduce maintenance costs.
High-grade materials of construction should be utilised to maximise component life.
Pumps must not only be energy efficient as new, but must maintain a high efficiency for longer period between major overhauls.

SPP’s Lowest Life-cycle Cost Series
During October 2004 SPP Pumps Ltd successfully launched their Lowest Life-cycle Cost Series pumps. The range incorporates all of the key features identified by our business partners and design engineers.

Hydraulic Design
The above test curve depicts the hydraulic performance of a 200 mm discharge Horizontal Split Casing, radial vane impeller, from the Lowest Life-cycle Cost Series range. Values of NS 1,191 and NSS 7,886, in imperial units. Note that high efficiency is achieved from 50% of best efficiency flow, peaking at 90% actual efficiency.

Mechanical Design
Vertical Direct Mounted Low Life Cost Axial Split casing Pump
The above section drawing depicts a packaged axial split casing pump. Firstly note the maintenance features of the pump; the motor mounting stool is extended to accommodate a spacer type coupling, sized to facilitate removal of the drive end seal and cartridge mounted mechanical seal insitu, also note that a product lubricated bearing is fitted at the none drive end. An antifriction bearing would be susceptible should the installation flood or the lower seal fail. A double row thrust bearing assembly is chosen for the drive end.
The short bearing span and generous shaft diameter are clearly evident. In order to replicate good hydraulic design in material form, world class manufacturing methodology is required. Note the internal surface finish on the above double suction impeller. SPP Low Life-cycle cost pumps achieve predicated performance levels with very little variation or need to hand finish components. Austenitic stainless steel is the optimum impeller material combining excellent corrosion and mechanical properties with good castability.
Standard materials of construction for low life-cycle cost utility pumps are:-
§ Casing- Cast Iron (option coated)
§ Impeller – Austenitic Stainless Steel
§ Shaft – Chrome Steel
§ Wear Rings – Grade SG Iron

Baseplates
Low levels of vibration and accurate alignment of pump and driver cannot be maintained without a substantial baseplate. A low life-cycle cost baseplate should be rigid, easily grouted in and incorporate motor alignment screws and machined mounting pads to assist with site alignment.

Vertical Suspended Bowl Pumps
Major savings in civil engineering costs can be achieved by suspending a vertical shaft driven or submersible pump directly into a wet sump, as opposed to constructing a wet sump with accompanying flood resistant dry well.
This has resulted in a growth in vertical turbine and submersible pump sales. The majority of these pumps supplied for utilities applications however are not maintainable in-situ and are proving very expensive to repair. Submersible pumps are prone to electrical failure, owing to ingress of water and tend to have limited bearing life. Motor efficiencies also tend to be low when compared to TEFC energy efficient machines.
The majority of vertical suspended bowl pumps require removal from site into a workshop environment for minor service/replacement of bearings and mechanical seals. Major overhaul can often result in a need to replace line shafting and connecting coupling which are screwed together.
When applying the same low life-cycle cost philosophy to suspended bowl pumps, major consideration was given to mechanical seal replacement in-situ and as such a bespoke spacer coupling was developed, capable of transmitting the total thrust generated by the bowl assemblies, through to the headpiece thrust bearing. This facilitates mechanical seal replacement in-situ, without recourse to disturb either the drive motor or thrust bearing assembly.
It was decided to connect all intermediate shafting by keyed couplings thus facilitating disassembly without risk of damaging these expensive component parts.
Shaft lengths were limited and diameters set to ensure all pumps operate well below the first critical speed. An important consideration given the growing use of variable speed drives.

Summary
This short paper serves to demonstrate the concept employed by SPP in the development of a genuine range of low life-cycle cost pumps.
A thorough understanding of the intended application, operation and maintenance of pumping plant is a fundamental requirement when considering such a project. This could not have been achieved without the input of pump users and designers alike. <<

The Pneutronics Division of Parker Hannifin
announces the release of its new Low Energy Solenoid Valve, the TenX® Le. This
electro-magnetic poppet valve offers high performance in a lightweight 10mm design.

Providing up to 22lpm of flow through a 0.060in orifice, this 2/3-way
normally closed, normally open or 3-way distributor valve operates at up to 30psi with a fast response time (to 5 msec full cycle) and high reliability (rated for 20 million cycles without any performance degradation). The TenX® Le incorporates efficient pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit technology, which consumes an insignificant amount of power and generates minimal heat, making it an ideal fit for portable medical and analytical devices.

“We designed the TenX® Le to meet the needs of customers who require solenoid control and are sensitive to the size and power constraints on their systems.” says Dan Bantz, Product Manager at Pneutronics. “This integrated valve and electronics solution offers a pulse and hold circuit which drastically reduces energy requirements and fits this into a compact 10mm package - essential requirements for portable equipment”

The miniaturized pulse and hold circuit is virtually invisible since it is
perfectly integrated into the 10mm valve package. The circuit function is also
transparent to the application and does not require extra connectivity. The TenX® Le can be used as a stand alone valve with tube connections or in multi-station manifold mount applications.

More information is available at www.parker.com/pneutronics/tenX.

About Parker

With annual sales exceeding $12 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world’s
leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems,
providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile,
industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 61,000 people in 48
countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 52 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

Where process applications require control valves which are able to withstand the effects of highly corrosive media Badger RC250 barstock valves are the ideal choice.

The Badger range of valves is available in the UK through liquids handling specialists Pump Engineering, and includes a wide range of options, such as the RC250 model.

The valves are available in a range of materials including, stainless steel, Hastelloy, Monel and titanium and will handle flows from 100 lit/hour up to 8000 lit/hour, at pressures up to 9 Bar. RC250 valves feature; Linear or equal % trims, Hastelloy C and Tantalum trims, Kynar trim Cv’s from 6.0 to 0.05 and metallic trim CV’s from 6.0 to 0.0000018. The valve is available in sizes ¼”, ½”, ¾” and 1” with NPT or wafer style connections and a  choice of Teflon CV rings or REK packing is available. Control options include pneumatic and electric actuators.

The RC250 (807) barstock model is also available in PVDF and  will therefore withstand a wide range of corrosive media occurring in water treatment, chemical feed, pH control, semiconductor and pulp & paper applications. These type of applications could involve aggressive fluids such as; sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sulphuric acid, sodium chlorate, ammonium fluoride and hydrochloric acid, all of which can be safely handled by the RC250 PVDF valve

TIADA penghujung cinta yang lebih indah selain dapat menyatukan dua hati menjadi satu. Gembira, teruja, berdebar menantikan saat-saat terindah tersebut, Ashraf Sinclair mengakui sedang berdepan dengan satu fasa kehidupan yang belum pernah dirasainya sebelum ini.

Memilih Bunga Citra Lestari sebagai teman hidupnya, Ashraf yakin dengan pilihan hatinya.

Cinta yang disulam lebih setahun itu akhirnya menemui noktah yang menggembirakan.

Meskipun diawal percintaan, mereka dihambat kontroversi yang bukan kepalang, nyata cinta yang utuh tidak mungkin mudah dileraikan.

Ashraf dan Bunga akan dinikahkan di Masjid Al Bina, Senayan, Jakarta pada 8 November ini pukul 3 petang waktu Jakarta disaksikan 50 rombongan pihak lelaki yang akan membawa 25 dulang hantaran untuk pihak perempuan.

Terang jejaka kacak ini sesungguhnya dia bersyukur kerana dipertemukan dengan gadis berusia 25 tahun itu.

“Saya terlalu mencintai dia dan sangat-sangat bertuah mengenali dirinya. Hidup saya berubah kerana dia. Mengenali dia, saya sudah menemui jalan dalam kehidupan saya. Malah dia amat-amat menghargai diri saya,” jelas Ashraf dalam satu pertemuan bersama media baru-baru ini.

Menyingkap detik-detik manis percintaan mereka, jejaka ini tidak putus-putus tersenyum sambil mengimbas rona-rona indah dalam titian percintaan mereka.

“Lewat setahun lebih dahulu pada 14 April saya mula mengajak dia keluar dating. Itu yang saya ingat.

“Bermula dari situ kami mula selalu berjumpa. Kemudian di satu pertemuan di Bali di awal tahun ini dalam suasana yang begitu romantis di tepi pantai, kami berbincang tentang pelbagai perkara. Tiba-tiba entah macam mana kami boleh bercerita tentang kahwin. Dan akhirnya saya melamar dia, dan dia menerimanya,” jelas teraju utama filem Gol Dan Gincu ini lagi.

Sama seperti pasangan yang lain mereka berdua memilih Kepulauan Maldives sebagai lokasi berbulan madu mereka kelak.

Tidak niat sisih

Dalam pada itu Ashraf sempat memohon maaf kepada media tempatan kerana pengumuman perkahwinannya dilakukan di seberang.

Jelasnya perkara tersebut terpaksa dilakukan sementelah dia dan Bunga telah pun dilamar menjadi duta bagi produk baru untuk produk kecantikan Ponds, Indonesia.

“Saya buat pengumuman di sana sebab kami berdua telah bersetuju untuk mengumumkan perkahwinan kami di majlis yang telah diatur oleh pihak Ponds di sana.

“Sebabnya kami telah menjadi duta untuk produk tersebut dan sepatutnya kami patut mengumumkan dua perkara di majlis tersebut.

“Satu tentang perkahwinan kami keduanya tentang produk tersebut. Tapi semuanya menjadi lain apabila pihak media sana terus menerus mengasak kami sehingga akhirnya kami terpaksa buat pengumuman seminggu lebih awal dari perancangan kami,” katanya yang sudah pun membintangi dua buah filem yang akan ditayangkan di seberang iaitu Saus Kacang dan Pocong.

Penat dengan kontroversi

Akui Ashraf, antara punca utama dia terpaksa membuat pengumuman lebih awal dari yang dirancang kerana pihak media seberang tidak sudah-sudah menyiarkan cerita yang kurang enak mengenai mereka berdua.

Bunga hamil, hubungan mereka berantakan dan macam-macam lagi berita negatif yang dilaporkan media seberang menguji tahap kesabaran jejaka berusia 29 tahun itu.

“Bunga masuk hospital dan saat dia keluar saya tak dapat teman pun boleh mereka buat cerita mengenainya.

“Sehingga satu peringkat, media di sana menyunting sebuah klip video menyiarkan visual Bunga keseorangan ketika keluar dari hospital tanpa saya. Memang sakit mengenangkan perkara tersebut sedangkan hakikatnya saya tidak dapat menemaninya kerana terikat dengan penggambaran ketika itu,” jelas Ashraf yang nyata terkilan dengan sikap media seberang yang disifatkannya tidak adil berbanding media tempatan.

Meskipun berang dan kurang berkenan dengan layanan media seberang, namun Ashraf mengakui, terpaksa berdepan dengan liku-liku cabaran yang akan ditempuhinya kerana dia sendiri memilih untuk menetap di seberang selepas berumahtangga.

“Lepas kahwin saya akan tinggal dahulu di sana, kerana saya telah pun menerima tawaran kontrak berlakon bersama produksi Sinemart Production selama dua tahun.

“Saya bersyukur kerana mendapat rezeki tersebut. Lagipun karier Bunga di sana sedang berkembang, jadi saya ke sana untuk mencuba nasib dan alhamdulillah saya nampak ada peluang di sana,” terangnya bersungguh-sungguh.

Jemput media tempatan

Dek kerana itu, Ashraf mengambil keputusan untuk tidak membenarkan pihak media seberang untuk hadir selaku tetamu di majlis perkahwinannya kelak yang akan diadakan di seberang.

“Mereka akan hadir tapi bukan selaku tetamu. Mereka datang dan akan ditempatkan di bilik khas untuk membuat liputan dan mereka tidak akan dibenarkan untuk mengambil gambar dan sebagainya.

“Ini kerana jika mereka rakamkan gambar dan sebagainya nanti jadi lain pula. Sebaliknya media tempatan pula di majlis resepsi saya di sini kelak, anda semua dijemput untuk hadir kerana anda semua rakan-rakan saya,” katanya lagi.

Menurut Ashraf majlis resepsinya di sini akan diadakan pada 14 November di The Saujana Kuala Lumpur dan 15 November di Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam.

Ditanya kepadanya tidakkah tindakannya itu akan membuatkan pihak media seberang berkecil hati dan memboikot dirinya jelas Ashraf: “Saya bersedia dengan segala kemungkinan namun saya tak mahu memikirkannya. Tapi saya yakin mereka akan mencari kita juga jika ada berita mengenai kita.”

Bharian

PANTANG Cik Normah dengan selebriti atau artis yang tak pandai jangan imej dan penampilan apabila datang majlis. Terbaru, Cik Normah agak terkejut melihat gambar Nita Malaysian Idol yang kebelakangan ini datang majlis pun tak pandai nak menjaga penampilan.

Bukan Nita tak cantik, malah bentuk badannya mengalahkan supermodel. Tetapi kenapa datang majlis rumah terbuka Bill Bora tempoh hari tanpa secalit solekan? Tak sesuai tau, kalau ye pun mekaplah sikit dik. Bukan semua orang yang mampu nampak jelita tanpa mekap. Tetapi Cik Normah tak tahulah pula kalau jenis mekap nipis macam tak bersolek itu sedang dalam trend sekarang.

Walau apa pun, kalau sudah jadi selebriti tu ambil beratlah sikit soal bergaya. Bergaya itu pun tak semestinya bersolek tebal dengan bedak asas 10 inci atau pakai bulu mata banyak lapis.

Niat Cik Normah memberi teguran ini bukan bermaksud nak jatuhkan maruah Nita. Cik Normah faham sayang sangat dengan selebriti di Malaysia terutama yang baik dan tak ‘kekwat’. Yang lupa diri dan kekwat, ‘feeling’ bagus memang Cik Normah tak layan.

Cik Normah harap Nita ambil teguran ini sebagai satu yang positif. Cik Normah teringin sangat tengok Nita berjinak-jinak dalam bidang peragaan sebab ketinggian Nita sudah melayakkan dia. Kalau nak belajar ilmu peragaan, Cik Normah sendiri boleh kasi tunjuk ajar.
Bharian.
Nak tahu, Cik Normah memang peminat setia rancangan America’s Next Top Model sebab Tyra Banks tu memang idola Cik Normah. Cuma Cik Normah kecewa, program kitaran 10 itu tak siar kat TV, tup-tup kitaran 11 yang disiarkan. Kecewa Cik Normah sebab yang menang kitaran 10 itu ialah Whitney daripada kategori ‘plus size’.

Oh ya, alang-alang sebut mengenai Nita, apa dah jadi agaknya dengan perjalanan seninya bersama Suria Records (SRC). Macam ala sendu pada pagi yang hening saja. Cik Normah nampak SRC sekarang ini asyik mempromosikan Indah Ruhailah saja. Kenapa jadi macam tu?

Elly Mazlein

Elly Mazlein tak bertolak ansur kepada mereka yang ambil kesempatan atas kebaikan dan sikap berdiam dirinya

TERNYATA pilihannya tidak salah apabila serius beralih bidang dengan menerjuni dunia lakonan sejak tiga tahun lalu apabila aktiviti nyanyian tidak lagi membantu mempertahankan namanya sebagai anak seni.

Jika ditanya kepada Elly Mazlein, dia tidak pernah menyesal apabila bidang nyanyian bukan lagi menjanjikan rezeki besar kepadanya, sebaliknya nama gadis berusia 27 tahun ini semakin menyerlah di layar kaca sebagai pelakon.

Sehingga Disember ini, jadual kerjaya lakonan Elly sendat dengan penggambaran dan perkembangan itu cukup membuatkan dirinya gembira.

Sementelah menyifatkan diri masih di peringkat bertatih, Elly melihat kepercayaan yang diberikan pengarah adalah satu amanah membuktikan kehadirannya dalam bidang lakonan, biar pun baru tetapi diterima baik.

Pernah kata Elly, ketika mula berlakon dulu dia sekadar mencuba dan langsung tidak terfikir untuk serius. Dek terbiasa dengan kehidupan glamor sebagai penyanyi, dia keliru dan menentang apabila disolek tipis kerana bimbang tidak kelihatan cantik di layar kaca.

Ceritanya sambil tertawa, itu semua cerita lima tahun lalu ketika namanya sebagai penyanyi masih dijulang. Tetapi, bertemu Elly Mazlein hari ini, pasti anda akan mengakui gadis berkeletah manja ini sedang melalui fasa kematangan dalam kehidupan sebagai anak seni.

Sejujurnya kata pemilik nama penuh Sharifah Aida Mazlina Syed Hanafi yang pernah popular dengan lagu Bungaku Bakawali dan Biar Pilu Ada Penawarnya ini, dunia lakonan membentuknya menjadi seorang yang positif dan matang dalam menangani dugaan yang mendatang.

Akuinya lagi, dulu dia seorang yang cepat sensitif dan pantang ditegur keras sedikit pasti air matanya akan pantas mengalir. Tetapi, pengalaman banyak mengubahnya. Air mata yang dulu cepat menitis kini mula membeku dan Elly semakin tegar mendepani cabaran sebagai pelakon.

“Apabila berlakon, Elly bertemu ramai orang dan terpaksa menempuh pelbagai dugaan kerana lakonan memerlukan kerjasama semua pihak untuk menjadikan sesebuah produksi itu berjaya.

“Elly sendiri banyak belajar daripada pengalaman dan persekitaran. Seksa bagaimanapun di lokasi, Elly melawan diri sendiri dan semakin banyak yang Elly belajar, Elly semakin bersedia untuk menangani apa saja yang datang dalam hidup ini.

“Elly belajar supaya jangan cepat ambil hati dengan sesuatu situasi. Adat hidup manusia, kita tidak akan ketawa setiap hari. Tidak dinafikan sesekali hati kecil Elly terusik dengan kerenah di lokasi tetapi Elly lihat semua itu dari sudut positif.

“Apabila kita sentiasa memupuk semangat positif, Insya-Allah, perkara yang sukar akan menjadi mudah. Dan itu yang sentiasa Elly tanamkan setiap kali bergerak ke lokasi,” jelasnya mengenai dunia baru yang semakin enak diteroka.

Menjauhi sifat hipokrit, Elly berkata, untuk bertahan lama dalam dunia lakonan seseorang itu hanya perlu menjadi diri sendiri dan tidak menyusahkan produksi.

Biar apa juga unsur negatif yang datang menyerang, Elly menyediakan perisainya dengan mengamalkan sikap tidak ambil pusing.

“Elly ke lokasi membawa niat ikhlas mencari rezeki kerana bidang ini adalah periuk nasi. Tidak Elly nafikan ada yang kurang menyenangi kehadiran Elly tetapi itu tidak menjadi masalah. Mungkin itu berlaku kerana belum kenal rapat dengan Elly.

“Cuma satu yang Elly pegang, jangan ambil kesempatan atas kebaikan dan sikap berdiam diri Elly. Jangan sampai pijak kepala kerana Elly akan bertindak apabila ada yang bersikap melampaui batas,” kata Elly mengenai pengalaman sepanjang tiga tahun serius bergelar pelakon.

Menyambung perbualan dengan penuh teruja mengenai dunia baru sebagai pelakon, Elly berkata, dia selesa mengamalkan sikap bersederhana.

Bukan tiada yang mencemburui dirinya, apatah lagi wajahnya kerap menghiasi layar TV3 dan RTM2 tetapi kata Elly, dia tidak akan tewas dengan pujian.

Kata manis itu bagi Elly, menjadi pembakar semangat untuk dia terus berusaha kerana dia menyifatkan dirinya masih terlalu hijau dalam dunia lakonan.

“Jujurnya Elly tidak terlalu mengharap untuk berada di atas. Elly berterima kasih dengan pujian yang diberikan tetapi pada masa sama Elly juga bimbang semua itu akan melekakan Elly.

“Disebabkan itu, Elly sentiasa menanamkan sikap supaya bersederhana dalam segala hal. Tawaran yang datang bermakna bakat kita dihargai dan dipercayai.

“Jadi Elly tidak ambil ringan semua perkara. Lagi berat dan mencabar sesuatu peranan itu, selagi itulah skrip akan sentiasa di tangan Elly.

“Satu sikap Elly, tidak suka menerima skrip saat akhir. Elly jenis akan membuat persediaan rapi sebelum ke lokasi kerana Elly tidak mahu menyusahkan pihak lain jika tidak bersedia sepenuhnya,” katanya.

Bella buka mata pengarah

BERCAHAYA sepasang mata cantik milik gadis ini apabila diajukan soalan mengenai watak yang disuakan kepadanya, akhir-akhir ini.

Katanya, dia terharu kerana mendapat kepercayaan pengarah untuk membawa watak berat dan banyak bermain emosi sejak membintangi drama berantai 60 episod, Bella.

“Bella membuka mata banyak pihak dan sejak itu, Elly ditawarkan pelbagai peranan mencabar dan sentiasa menduga kemampuan Elly.

“Alhamdulillah, semua itu berubah kerana Bella. Dulu ada yang ragu untuk memberikan watak berat tetapi sekarang skrip yang diterima semuanya menuntut Elly bermain dengan emosi.

“Itu yang cukup membuatkan Elly teruja sebagai pelakon kerana boleh berkarya dengan kreatif apabila kepercayaan sudah mula diberikan.

“Tetapi apa yang Elly peroleh hari ini bukan hasil usaha Elly seorang diri. Tanpa skrip yang baik, pengarah yang bijak membentuk pelakon serta barisan produksi yang cekap, ia tidak akan menjadi,” katanya.

Daripada gadis yang tidak punya keyakinan diri untuk berlakon, sekarang Elly semakin berani meneroka peluang yang ada di depan mata.

Tiada lagi wajah cantik Elly Mazlein, sebaliknya gadis ini sudah mula serasi dengan lakonan dan semakin memahami tuntutan sebagai seorang pelakon.

Dalam drama terbaru, Cinta Batu Belah yang menemui penonton di TV3 pertengahan Oktober lalu, Elly dapat memainkan pelbagai emosi malah dia tidak lagi bimbang jika kelihatan ‘hodoh’ di kaca televisyen.

“Dulu Elly terbawa-bawa dengan dunia nyanyian yang perlu sentiasa kelihatan cantik, tetapi sekarang sudah tak kisah kalau tidak cantik.

“Elly semakin seronok meneroka dunia lakonan kerana tidak pernah berpuas hati dengan apa yang diberikan. Elly tak boleh cepat puas hati kerana jika perasaan itu ada, kita tidak akan belajar sesuatu yang baru,” katanya.

INFO:

* NAMA PENUH: Sharifah Aida Mazlina Syed Hanafi
* TARIKH LAHIR: 17 Disember 1980
* TEMPAT LAHIR: Slim River, Perak
* HOBI: Berenang & menghias rumah
* PENDIDIKAN: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
* FILEM: Tangkai Jering
* ANTARA DRAMA: Gerak Khas, Sembilu, Spa-Q, Puasa Terakhir, Spa Q, Bella, Amanah Karmila, Pelita Buluh
* FESYEN PILIHAN: Ringkas, elegan & up-to-date
* PENYANYI PUJAAN: Datuk Sharifah Aini & Jennifer Lopez
* PELAKON PUJAAN: Datuk Jalaludin Hassan
* ADIK BERADIK: 3 (bongsu)
* ALBUM: 1997 - Sutera Kasih 1999 - Satu Persatu 2001 - Elly 2001 - MTV Karaoke Elly Mazlein 2002 - Best of Elly Mazlein 2003 - Atas Nama Cinta

CIK Normah pasti sekarang ini ramai yang ada pilihan menonton drama hebat di TV. Stesen TV di Malaysia sekarang ini berlumba-lumba menyiarkan cerita menarik dalam usaha menaikkan rating dan tidak mengalih tumpuan penonton. Pendek kata, kalau tak nak tengok siaran TV itu, boleh tengok siaran TV ini. Dalam kesibukan Cik Normah bertugas, Cik Normah akan cuba curi masa untuk menonton TV.

Kalau Cik Normah sebut drama Awan Dania mesti ramai yang sedar dengan kemunculan drama itu di Astro Ria. Kisah mengenai dunia pramugari dan pramugara di awan biru ini membabitkan ramai pelakon hebat seperti Hans Isaac, Nasha Aziz, Irma Hasmie dan Ummi Nazeera. Tak dilupakan pelakon dan model yang kini mula mendapat perhatian dan dipuji lakonannya gara-gara membawa watak gadis ala tomboi bernama Dania, iaitu Sharifah Nor Azean Syed Mahadzir atau Scha Al Yahya.

Kalau nak tahu Scha ini anak saudara kepada penyanyi serta pelakon Sheril Aida. Scha pernah memenangi Dewi Remaja 2005/2006 anjuran sebuah majalah popular. Nampaknya bakat dan kewujudan Scha semakin diperhatikan. Itu satu perkembangan yang baik dan Cik Normah yakin nama Scha akan terus meledak. Tiga filem lakonan Scha yang bakal menemui penggemar filem ialah Antoo Fighter, Histeria dan Papadom.

Cik Normah harap Scha tak cepat lupa diri apabila popular mendekatinya kelak. Kawan Cik Normah memang ramailah yang puji lakonan Scha jadi tomboi yang berusaha nak jadi perempuan. Memang tak susahlah Scha nak bawa watak itu sebab Cik Normah dapat tahu Scha ni pun gadis yang lasak dan ‘ganas’.

Watak tomboi yang dibawa Faezah Elai di dalam drama Sutera Maya di TV3 pun dipuji. Hai… sekarang ni watak tomboi tengah jadi perhatian pula. Mujurlah Cik Normah ni masih mempunyai ciri-ciri wanita Melayu terakhir ‘gitu’ kalau tak Cik Normah.

Hai Cik Normah tertanya-tanya, Scha dengan Fahrin tu ada apa-apa ke. Bukan main mesra lagi Cik Normah tengok masa mereka menghadiri majlis rumah terbuka NSTP baru-baru ini. Sejuk mata Cik Normah tengok mereka berdua macam pasangan bercinta ‘gitu’.

KHATIJAH bimbang kontroversi jejas kerjaya Pierre Andre.

Khatijah Tan buka mulut mengenai kontroversi cinta anaknya, Pierre Andre

KISAH percintaan halimunan Pierre Andre dan gadis misteri bernama Maya Darina Dahlan Hain atau Elie, Molie atau Melia mencetuskan kontroversi sehingga kononnya menjejaskan nama Pierre.

Pelbagai cerita mengenai Pierre timbul kononnya anak pelakon Khatijah Tan itu sedang hidup di awangan sehingga makanan terpaksa dihantar ke bilik.

Beberapa media cuba mendapatkan ibu pelakon dan pengarah muda itu untuk mendapatkan pengesahan mengenai sikap Pierre akhir-akhir ini. Hip juga tidak ketinggalan cuba menghubungi Khatijah menerusi telefon bimbitnya tetapi gagal.

Namun kesempatan bertemu dengan Khatijah yang sedang menjalani penggambaran filem Pisau Cukur arahan Bernard Chauly baru-baru ini tidak dipersiakan. Alasan Khatijah, mungkin ketika Hip menghubunginya telefon bimbitnya digunakan anak bongsunya Mikhail.

Bagaimanapun Khatijah tidak keberatan memberikan kerjasama, malah tidak langsung mengelak apabila diajukan soalan mengenai kontroversi yang melanda anak bujangnya itu.
Pierre Andre.

Sebagai ibu dan orang yang paling rapat dengan Pierre, Khatijah berkata dia tidak nampak sebarang perubahan terhadap Pierre. Dia juga pelik apabila orang mengatakan anaknya terkena ilmu guna-guna kerana Pierre masih lagi seperti dulu.

Namun Khatijah tidak menolak, Pierre ada bercerita mengenai Maya Darina kepadanya tetapi tidak lebih mengenai soal perniagaan bukan kisah percintaan seperti yang digembar-gemburkan media.

Jelas Khatijah, dia dan Pierre cukup akrab dan anaknya itu sering berkongsi pelbagai cerita termasuk kisah cinta. Sebagai ibu juga, Khatijah tahu dengan siapa anaknya berkawan dan bercinta kerana perkara itu sering diceritakan Pierre kepadanya.

“Saya dengan Pierre sangat rapat, hubungan kami bukan setakat ibu dan anak tetapi kami juga seperti sahabat baik. Dia selalu berkongsi apa saja cerita dengan saya termasuk cerita mengenai Maya Darina. Saya tahu Pierre berkawan dengannya tetapi hanya atas urusan kerja.

“Pierre sendiri ada mengaku kepada saya, dia tidak pernah berjumpa dengan Maya. Mereka sekadar berbual di telefon, jadi macam mana mereka hendak bercinta. Saya tahu Pierre tidak bercinta dengan Maya. Saya juga ada berpesan pada Pierre jika orang itu tidak wujud, lebih baik jangan dilayan dan dia faham,” kata Khatijah yang tidak menafikan ada mendapatkan air penawar untuk anaknya.

Bagaimanapun kata Khatijah, tujuannya mendapatkan air penawar berkenaan hanyalah sebagai pendinding kerana dia bimbang apa yang diperkatakan orang benar-benar menjadi kenyataan. Tetapi Pierre enggan minum alasannya dia tidak menghadapi sebarang masalah.

“Pada mulanya saya tidak begitu bimbang dengan keadaan Pierre. Lama-kelamaan apabila kisahnya hangat diperkatakan media, timbul pula rasa bimbang. Takut juga jika betul Pierre kena ‘mandrem’, tapi tidak nampak pula sebarang perubahan pada dirinya.

“Selepas menjalani penggambaran di Indonesia, saya lihat keadaan dia macam biasa. Tapi apabila media hebat mainkan ceritanya saya lihat Pierre jadi haru biru. Dia kurang senang dengan cerita media, kami tidak menyalahkan pihak media. Cuma Pierre jenis orang yang pendiam, dia lebih suka berdiam diri dan tidak suka memperbesarkan cerita ini kerana tidak mahu melukakan hati mana-mana pihak,” kata Khatijah.

Sementara itu, Khatijah berkata, dia tidak bimbangkan kisah Maya Darina sebaliknya dia bimbangkan kerjaya Pierre yang baru bermula akan terumbang ambing. Tidak dinafikan sejak kisah kontroversi Pierre dengan cinta ilusinya, Pierre tidak banyak menerima tawaran berlakon.

“Saya tidak kisah jika cerita ini menjadi mainan media. Kalau sikit tidak mengapa, tapi janganlah perkara ini menggugat kerjayanya yang baru hendak bermula. Bukan apa, saya bimbang penerbit lain takut ambil Pierre hanya kerana cerita tidak betul terutama mengenai cerita dia terkena buatan orang.

“Selagi dia ada kerja, alhamdulillah. Sebenarnya kontroversi ini bagus juga untuk mematangkan dia, cuma saya harap tidak melampau. Janganlah ancam kerjaya Pierre,” katanya

Emerson Process Management announces the release of the Fisher GX 3-way control valve and actuator system.  The new GX 3-way has the ability to accurately control the temperature of water, oils, steam, and other industrial fluids.  Applications include heat exchangers and lubricating skids.

The flow cavity of the GX 3-Way valve body has been engineered to provide stable flow and reduce process variability.  This linear stability is perfectly suited for temperature and pH control applications.  The GX 3-way valve is multi-faceted in its ability to cover both flow mixing (converging) and flow splitting (diverging) applications with no extra parts needed.  Unlike other 3-way valves, it features both side-port and bottom-port common trim.

The GX 3-way valve package addresses the space limitations of the OEM industry.  It meets the requirements of both EN and ASME standards.  In addition, it is available with a complete accessory package, including the FIELDVUE DVC2000 integrated digital valve controller.  The GX 3-way is rugged, reliable, and easy to select.  Internal valve trim is designed to ensure long service life and avoid unnecessary maintenance.

I am writing to support the re-election of Ron Walter for Chelan County commissioner. I know Ron from the private and public sector and have always found him caring and very open to receive constituents’ input. He assembles the facts and makes sound decisions for our county. He is an honest and conscientious man, so why consider a change?

Keith Kuechmann

Wenatchee

Largent a wise choice

I live in Douglas County but own property in Chelan County, where voters now have the unique opportunity to voice a necessary change in the commissioners’ office. Recently Ron Walter, as commissioner, sought amendment of the definition of a “winery” under the Chelan County Code, as a favor to Saint Laurent Winery, owned by Mike and Laura Mrachek. This was after a hearing examiner correctly determined that the winery failed to meet the county regulatory definitions for that type of business, and was operating improperly.

Saint Laurent has been out of compliance with several of the original approved operating conditions established by the hearing examiner over three years ago, and has made little effort to become compliant. Rather, the Saint Laurent owners decided it a wiser investment to quickly become contributors to the Walter re-election campaign. (Source: Washington Public Disclosure Commission.)

This scenario underscores what decent citizens find most distasteful (vinegar rather than wine) about our elective process: the giving of political favor in exchange for campaign money. Put another way, Walter has sought to retroactively legalize prior improper operation of Saint Laurent, while rejecting the rule of law protecting surrounding property owners.

In exchange, Walter received money from those benefitted, the Mracheks. If you condone this kind of behavior, vote to retain Mr. Walter, because you certainly have a right to expect more of the same. But if you think that more of the same isn’t a wise moral choice or good planning practice, perhaps you should vote for Chuck Largent.

Scott Kane

East Wenatchee

Recount proof

Eastern Washington voters need to remember that we actually elected Dino Rossi as governor in 2004, twice! This was an amazing accomplishment considering how far left the Puget Sound region is. This will probably be our last chance to elect Dino or any other fiscal conservative as governor to give us a chance to avoid bankruptcy. If you want to see where we are headed with four more years of one-party control, just look at California. We will be broke and their answer will always be to increase spending and raise taxes. What businesses would want to locate here? Don’t forget, Gregoire plans to convince us we need a state income tax too!

Dino Rossi is an honest man who understands how to balance a budget, not a life-long politician serving special interests.

We need a recount-proof margin of victory to keep this election from being stolen again. Call your friends and relatives, drive people to vote, whatever it takes. Eastern Washington can make a difference if we stick together and vote for the best person for governor at this dangerous time — Dino Rossi!

Scott Hudson

Moses Lake

More change, please

Please vote on Nov. 4, and I would like to encourage you to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket. I ask this so that it might help my finances. Let me explain that I have been unemployed for the last four years, mostly by choice, so that I might migrate to a warmer climate during the cold months in Washington. I could not help but be excited by Sen. Obama’s comment about “spreading the wealth around,” and I for one could use a bit of the working persons’ wealth while I lounge on the beach.

So please keep working so that I might share in the fruits of your labor. Please don’t concern yourself over Sen. Obama’s lack of world experience or knowledge of our 57 states or the corrupt past of his associates, as I am more concerned about change, that change being the change of your money to my pocket.

Ron L. Schmidt

Riverside

Stick to news

I was dismayed that The Wenatchee World chose to run a front page story about the Wenatchee teacher who resigned after drinking on the job (The World, Oct 22).

The fact that she was intoxicated at work indicates that there is a significant problem of alcoholism with her. While there is much social stigma attached to alcoholism, it is a disease. It is extremely difficult to deal with.

Anyone who has dealt with the illness, and is still dealing with it, as well as anyone who has family or friends who are dealing with it, know that it is a day-by-day struggle. It results in great anxiety and pain for all involved.

It is certainly not appropriate fodder for discussion in public.

I can only hope that The World will refrain from such publications in the future and stick to real news.

Terry Fitzpatrick

North Central WEA UniServ

It’s capitalism that made us

It continuously amazes me the number of young and older adults who think business is bad, greedy and not paying taxes.

Small and large businesses are what make the wheels go round in this country. They contribute to the gross domestic product, create jobs, pay taxes, Social Security, unemployment, workers compensation etc., and make it possible for the “service industry ” — i.e., teachers, government, medical — to even exist.

Business has acquired a bad name because of the few CEOs, mainly in the finance world who have been greedy and produce nothing, simply shuttle figures and paperwork.

The CEO of Corning for five years drew zero compensation until Corning was “back on track.” Most business compensation is based on performance, as it should be for teachers, government employees, etc.

The media tend to print the negating or exceptions, but keep in mind, if it were not for the Alcoas, Comings, GMs, etc., in this country, we all would be drawing food stamps.

Please pass this information on to your children and teachers in our schools who sometimes have no clue as to what it takes to cut their paychecks. Again, capitalism is what has made this country great and the envy of the entire world.

Tom Hohn

Wenatchee

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Send letters to The Safety Valve, Box 1511, Wenatchee, WA 98807.