a system and method for assisting in real time alignment of an alignment specimen within a load frame . in one implementation an instrumented alignment specimen is used to provide information from which the deflection of the specimen at various points along the specimen can be determined . the deflection information is then used to calculate deflection values in x , y and z coordinate axes in real time . the deflection values are then scaled by a desired factor and then used to generate a three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen . this produces a slightly exaggerated , three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen illustrating its deformation as a result of concentric and / or angular misalignment of the lower head of the load frame relative to the upper head .