Abstract: An electronic scanner having a light source and a light sensitive head is connected via a cable to a computer. The scanner head detects reflected light from the surface of the composite material and generates an electronic representation of the surface. A conventional software driver interprets the scanner output to produce an electronic bit-mapped image. The electronic image is then displayed so that gaps are readily visible. The electronic representation is also analyzed to determine the presence of laps and gaps, to measure gap widths, to measure the distance between points on the display, and to determine the percentage of the surface covered by fiber material. The electronic representation may also be stored for later analysis.