FireCluster: PC Cluster System Employing IEEE 1394

An optical alignment system for optically determining the translational and rotational orientation of portions of an object with respect to a system reference utilizing a reflective target (8) positioned on the object portion and adapted to receive an optical reference beam (6) transmitted to the target (8) from the reference position. The reflective target (8) includes a photoelectric sensor (22) for producing an electrical signal indicative of the lateral displacement of the reflective target (8) from the optical reference beam (6) and a reflective surface (mirror 24) for returning a portion (return beam 26) of the optical reference beam (6) to a photosensor (28) positioned adjacent the reference beam source (12) to provide information relative to the angular position of the reflective target (8). A method for operating the system is also disclosed.