Co-molding of non-crimped fabric and SMC

A method of manufacturing an automotive panel, comprising:

• providing at least a first material;
• providing at least one molding tool with a plurality of thorns in at least one predetermined area of said molding tool;
• providing at least one second material including a predetermined non-crimped fabric;
• providing at least one pre-forming tool;
• coating an entire loading surface of said pre-forming tool in at least one layer of resin before loading said non-crimped fabric to said pre-forming tool;
• pre-forming each of said at least one predetermined non-crimped fabric in said at least one pre-forming tool, respectively, forming at least one non-crimped fabric pre-preg;
• drying the at least one non-crimped fabric pre-preg a predetermined amount to achieve operable predetermined stiffness to limit the movement and distortion of the at least one non-crimped fabric pre-preg during molding of the automotive panel;
• loading said at least one non-crimped fabric pre-preg that is dried into said molding tool against said respective plurality of thorns;
• and
• supplying a flow of said at least one first material to said molding tool and molding said automotive panel, wherein said plurality of thorns further prevents movement of said at least one non-crimped fabric pre-preg during said flow of said at least one first material.