A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment
detector provides an orthogonal
laser line grid on an incident surface when the
detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth
detector emits two sets of parallel
laser planes that converge with each other. When the
laser planes
impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one
laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other
laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface-showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each
laser plane appear on the surface-signaling the need for a level adjustment. Some versions of the tool have the ability to detect their own orientation and make adjustments based on the orientation. Example tools include nail guns, jigsaws, circular saws, routers, and drills.