Thermoplastic composite product

A method of manufacturing a thermoplastic composite product, comprising:

• providing a first thermoplastic composite component made from a consolidated stack of thermoplastic composite plies, said first thermoplastic composite component having a first ply drop off;
• providing a second thermoplastic composite component made from a consolidated stack of thermoplastic composite plies, said second thermoplastic composite component having a second ply drop off having a shape that is complementary to a shape of the first ply drop off;
• arranging the first and second thermoplastic composite components in between a first mold and a second mold with the first and second ply drop offs being aligned;
• and
• bringing the first and second molds towards each other for the purpose of heating the first and second ply drop offs while simultaneously applying pressure to the first and second ply drop offs, wherein said heating the first and second ply drop offs comprises controlling a temperature of the first mold and a temperature of the second mold such that a local temperature of the first and/or second mold at a region in which the first and second ply drop offs are aligned is higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic composite plies of the first and second thermoplastic composite components, and such that a local temperature of the first and/or second mold at an end of the first mold and/or the second mold is lower than said melting temperature.