An automated inspection system for monitoring a manufacturing process includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces. A sensor system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more characteristics of a manufactured article. An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to implement the manufacturing process based on instruction from the core platform. The core platform is configured to receive a first measurement of the one or more characteristics of a composite article from the sensor system after application of a plurality of layers of one or more raw materials; receive data regarding a second measurement of the one or more characteristics from the sensor system after curing the composite article; and generate an alert in response to a determination that a defect exists in the composite article based on the first or second measurement.