DFM Engineering, Inc.
1035 Delaware Ave. Unit D
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-678-8143
Fax: 303-772-9411

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Professional Credentials & Personal Interests |
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Dr.
Frank Melsheimer
President / CEO / Chief Engineer
fmelsheimer@dfmengineering.com |

University of California - Berkeley
Doctor of Engineering Degree
Mechanical Engineering Design
minors:
Structural Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Operations Management
Master of Engineering Degree
Bachelor of Engineering Degree
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Dr. Frank
Melsheimer is the President and founder of DFM Engineering, Inc. with over 46 years of photonics experience
designing, building, and testing research grade telescopes, retrofitting and rebuilding older telescopes
and control systems. He works closely with customers to determine telescope features, building and dome
requirements, mirror handling, and control room size and placement.
Dr. Melsheimer and his team designed, built and tested over
100 astronomical telescopes, numerous electro-mechanical optical systems, heliostats, beam directors,
satellite beam directors/trackers, Lidar scanners, spectrophotometers, electrometers, space flight instruments,
and aircraft performance flight testing instrumentation.
Dr. Melsheimer, with his team, has retrofitted over 60 older
telescopes with major structural and drive rebuilds incorporating the DFM Telescope Control System (TCS Galil™). |
Dr. Frank Melsheimer has written multiple scientific
papers for the astronomical community, many of which are currently quoted and referenced in today's marketplace
and educational institutions.
For example, Dr. Melsheimer presented an AAS meeting feature paper titled: "A
Very Wide Field, Very Fast Telescope" as a study of the U.S. Naval Observatory 1.3M telescope.
The design performance, optical fabrication techniques, and optical test results are discussed in detail
and the paper is referenced frequently.
In an engineering discussion documentation, The
Optimal Telescope, Dr. Melsheimer analyzes telescope structural components such as: Steel
vs. Aluminum, Geometry, Deflections,
and Pointing. These, also, have been referenced
regularly.
As a special credit to his integrity and thorough knowledge of the astronomical community's quality requirements,
Dr. Melsheimer has written a very popular, comprehensive paper entitled: How
to Buy a Telescope for Your Institution. With his many years of practical experience in the
industry, he outlines the necessary steps involved in purchasing a research-grade telescope augmenting
features such as: What is a telescope?, Why
buy a telescope for your institution?, Cost
vs. Performance, Purchasing
Considerations, Quality Assurance,
and Service. It is an excellent
guide and safeguard when in the market for a scientific instrumentation expenditure of such high
regard.
Dr. Melsheimer's extensive technical experience is obvious in his paper entitled: Comparing
Telescope Drive Technologies. He offers a plethora of performance criteria with comparison
charts. In this paper, he investigates the various drive technologies and discusses the advantages,
disadvantages, and performance of these telescope drive systems.
Observatory Design and Construction,
by Dr. Melsheimer is an excellent guide strategically outlining the necessary criteria in planning and
constructing an observatory designed to house a research-grade telescope. Dr. Melsheimer's extensive experience
offers a pristine perspective with practical applications coupled with modern technology solutions to current
observatory design obstacles. He provides handicapped accessible features to meet current standards.
Dr. Melsheimer addresses the necessity of efficiency in an astronomical telescope by a remote user over
the internet in his paper, Internet
Telescope Performance Requirements. Consistently high performance from the telescope, instruments,
support facilities and control system is required for successful real time direct imaging. Dr. Melsheimer
thoroughly outlines these determining performance factors for research study.
Dr. Melsheimer has previously supervised the mechanical engineering department, optical and mechanical
shops at Lick Observatory. He has been a member of many of the design review teams for the Keck Telescope
and has designed the Transportable Lunar Ranging Station at the MacDonald Observatory. |
Interests: Active
racer, instructor and crew chief in two Vintage Auto Race Clubs, swimming, travel, reading
science fiction, studying and speaking German, and German White wine connoisseur. Member: AAS; SPIE;
OSA |
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California State University
Long Beach
Bachelor of Arts Degree
University of California
Los Angeles
Certified Teaching Credential
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Kathryn
C. Melsheimer
Secretary / Treasurer / CFO
kmelsheimer@dfmengineering.com |
Mrs. Kathryn Melsheimer
is the General Manager of all business administration at DFM Engineering, Inc. with over 37 years of
photonics experience.
She works closely with customers to administer job contracts,
supervise project cost budgeting, scheduling, evaluation of shipping requirements, insurance provisions
and invoicing.
Mrs. Melsheimer controls daily financial business operation
matters, manages the DFM Engineering, Inc. human resources team, and administers advertising and marketing
development procedures.
Mrs. Melsheimer has supported engineering and aerospace departments
with her expertise in business data base programming, analysis and administration, along with practical
experience as an occupational vocational instructor. |
Mrs. Melsheimer is currently
pursuing a Masters Degree in Business Administration. |
Interests: Active
racer, instructor and crew member in two Vintage Auto Race Clubs, gardening, travel, reading
mysteries and historical fiction, languages and church activities, Member: AAS; Colorado Chapter of Business
and Professional Women's Club, Longmont Economic Council |
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Mark
S. Kelley, P.E.
Vice President of Engineering
mkelley@dfmengineering.com |

University of Colorado - Boulder
Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
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Mr. Mark
Kelley is the Vice President of DFM Engineering, Inc. He is a Registered Professional Engineer with over
35 years of photonics experience.
Mr. Kelley is instrumental in designing, building, testing,
and retrofitting telescopes at DFM Engineering. The Telescope Computer Control System (TCS Galil™) developed and perfected by Mr.
Kelley is incorporated into many electro-optical mechanical instruments manufactured and installed by
DFM Engineering, Inc.
He specializes in mechanical and software design and testing,
instrument performance with detailed documentation, electronic fabrication supervision, and installation
administration. |
Mr. Kelley works closely with customers in determining
control room specifications, computer requirements and implementation and installation of DFM's Telescope
Control System (TCS Galil™). |
Interests: Mountaineering,
skiing, bicycling, photography, music, Member: AAS; ASME; American Association for the Advancement of
Science |
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Mr. Ian Huss
Production Manager
ihuss@dfmengineering.com |
Boulder Valley
Vocational Technical School
2000 Hour Certification
Technical and Management courses |
Mr. Ian Huss is the Production Manager for DFM Engineering, Inc. with over 35 years of experience
in the photonics industry.
Mr. Huss supervises all aspects of telescope and instrument production. His expertise includes coordination
of personnel with project scheduling requirements, inspecting and approving work from outside vendors,
review of engineering drawings, providing recommendations, performing machinist and instrument builder
craftsmanship as necessary.
Mr. Huss performs national and international installations of telescopes, control systems, and mechanical
hardware. He provides in-house or on-site trouble shooting expertise for customers as necessary.
Mr. Huss has received many letters of appreciation for his installation skills and telescope operations
training. |
Interests: Private
Pilot, FAA rated aircraft repairman, Member: Master Rated Pilot/Field Examiner-US Hang Gliding Association;
Technical and Flight Advisor-Experimental Aircraft Association |
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