The infiltration of TFP-preforms can be done with conventional processing techniques such as resin transfer moulding, vacuum bag molding, pressing and autoclave moulding. In the case of thermoplastic composites the matrix material and the reinforcement fibers can be placed simultaneously e.g. in the form of films or fibers. The base material can then be a thermoplastic foil which melts during the consolidation process and becomes part of the matrix. This type is ideally suited for deep-drawn TFP-preforms. Advantages of the TFP technology • Net-shape manufacturing reduces costs and waste of valuable reinforcement fibers, e.g. carbon fibers • Automatic deposition ensures high accuracy and repeatability of amount and orientation of fibers • TFP machines with multiple heads can be applied to achieve a reasonable productivity; each head is manufacturing in a synchronized way the same preform • Fibers can be orientated in an arbitrary direction in order to manufacture highly stress adapted composite parts • A variety of fibers such as carbon, glass, basalt, aramid, natural, thermoplastic, ceramic fibers and also metallic threads can be applied and combined within one preform Optimizations using TFP over other laminate technologies Optimization one: Reduce waste material One of the leading material costs of many traditional carbon fiber composite construction techniques, includes the large amount of waste material generated. In many hand lay-up processes that use carbon fiber woven material, waste materials can easily account for 50% or more of the total weight of carbon used. This waste is generated as the fabric is initially cut before impregnation with the matrix material. Additional waste is generated after the composite has cured during the post processing steps where the shape is further refined. Tailored fiber placement is unique in its ability to reduce waste material and thereby optimize material cost. By controlling the path of the tow material as it is stitched into the desired geometry, material is only placed where it is needed in the final preform. Areas of fabric that would have to be cut out in traditional laminate design are simply left unstitched. This process reduces both the initial waste produced when cutting woven fabrics to shape and reduces post processing waste due to the ability to conform to complex geometries. Optimization two: Hybrid carbon fiber and glass fiber composites An additional drawback of traditional laminate processes is the inability to rapidly change materials volumetrically to benefit from their combined advantages. Tailored fiber