A method of fabricating a composite structure is presented. The method comprises laying up a plurality of composite plies over a layup mandrel; positioning a first caul plate and a second caul plate over the plurality of composite plies, leaving composite material exposed; removing at least part of the composite material exposed between the first caul plate and the second caul plate to separate a first composite section from a second composite section; curing the first composite section and the second composite section to form a first composite part and a second composite part; and removing the first composite part and the second composite part from the layup mandrel immediately following curing.