into a first decision state 148 wherein it is asked whether a discontinuity 166 is detected within the sensor window 134 if the sensor 130 does not detect a discontinuity 166 i e if the sensor 130 recognizes a continuous laser line within the sensor window 134 the fourth step 146 continues and the sensor 130 actuates along the line 164 however if the sensor 130 does detect a break in the laser line within the sensor window 134 i e the sensor window 134 encompasses a discontinuity 166 then the first decision state 148 can be answered in the affirmative giving way to a fourth step 150 in the fourth step 150 the sensor 130 sends a detection signal to external circuitry and logic not shown which translates the detection signal into precise positional coordinates of the point at which the laser line discontinuity occurs since the discontinuity 166 corresponds with the edge of the z form 100 these positional coordinates represent a point on the edge of the z form 100 in the preferred embodiment the positional coordinates obtained by the sensor 130 are accurate within u2212 0 05 inches and more preferably within u2212 0 025 inches or better the method 140 then moves into a second decision state 152 if additional coordinates of the edge of the z form 100 are needed before the z pins 102 can be driven into the composite structure 180 then the method 140 moves into a fifth step 154 in the fifth step 154 the.