Retractable mold built-in precision pins to locate components during layup process for fabrication of wind turbine blades

A method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade comprising:

• providing a mold with a first mold surface;
• forming an aperture within the first mold surface;
• providing at least one pin having a first end and a second end, the pin aligned with the aperture and moveable between a retracted position having the first end positioned below the first mold surface, and an extended position having the first end of the at least one pin disposed above the first mold surface;
• and
• providing a bushing, the bushing disposed within the aperture;
• providing a gasket, the gasket disposed within the aperture and forming a seal with the at least one pin;
• providing a pin driver to actuate movement of the at least one pin between the retracted position and the extended position;
• providing at least one layer of layup segments disposed on the first surface of the mold;
• and
• displacing the at least one pin from the retracted position to the extended position to pierce the at least one layer of layup segments.