System and method for seal validation in a composite part manufacturing process

A system for validating seal integrity in a composite part manufacturing process, the system comprising:

• a part forming tool comprising a supporting surface against which a composite part is formed, and a surrounding surface substantially surrounding the supporting surface;
• a caul sheet comprising a perimeter, wherein the caul sheet is configured to overlay at least a portion of the composite part;
• a vacuum bag coupled to the perimeter of the caul sheet such that the vacuum bag substantially surrounds the caul sheet and is disposed against at least a portion of the surrounding surface of the part forming tool;
• an outer vacuum chamber defined between the surrounding surface of the part forming tool and the vacuum bag, wherein the vacuum bag is coupled to the surrounding surface of the part forming tool via an outer seal created by the outer vacuum chamber;
• an inner vacuum chamber defined between the caul sheet, the vacuum bag, and the supporting surface of the part forming tool, wherein the perimeter of the caul sheet is coupled to the vacuum bag via an inner seal;
• an outer flow sensor fluidically coupled with the outer vacuum chamber and configured to measure a first flow rate of a first fluid within the outer vacuum chamber;
• an outer flow sensor fluidically coupled with the inner vacuum chamber and configured to measure a second flow rate of a second fluid within the inner vacuum chamber;
• a vacuum source;
• an outer valve selectively operable to fluidically couple and decouple the outer vacuum chamber and the vacuum source;
• and
• an inner valve selectively operable to:
• fluidically couple and decouple the inner vacuum chamber and the vacuum source;
• and
• fluidically couple and decouple the inner vacuum chamber and an atmospheric pressure source.