A method of fabricating a composite stringer for a vehicle, the method comprising: positioning first and second charges (9a, 9b) at a die cavity with first ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) extending over the die cavity, said first charge including a blade and a flange and said second charge including a blade and a flange; securing second ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) away from the die cavity; inserting a punch die into the die cavity and driving the first ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) into the die cavity while the second ends remain secured away from the die cavity, said punch die including a first section sized to fit within the die cavity and a second section providing the punch die with a sectional shape that resembles the letter T, the punch die being shaped to conform to the shape of the die cavity and being lowered into the die cavity with the first section of the punch die contacting against and driving the charges (9a, 9b) into the die cavity; and moving the punch die out of the die cavity; moving together first and second form blocks (31, 32) that form the die cavity and applying lateral force to blades (11a, 11b) of the first and second charges (9a, 9b), wherein securing the second ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) away from the die cavity comprises compressing each second end between a support member that is located in proximity to the form block (31, 32) and a holding member that is a plate sized and shaped to contact and apply a force to secure the charge (9a, 9b) against the support member, during the forming process the punch die being inserted various depths into the cavity with the second section of the punch die contacting against sections of the charges (9a, 9b) that remain out of the die cavity or less amount of insertion into the die cavity with the second section of the punch die remaining spaced away from the flanges (12a, 12b). positioning first and second charges (9a, 9b) at a die cavity with first ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) extending over the die cavity, said first charge including a blade and a flange and said second charge including a blade and a flange; securing second ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) away from the die cavity; inserting a punch die into the die cavity and driving the first ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) into the die cavity while the second ends remain secured away from the die cavity, said punch die including a first section sized to fit within the die cavity and a second section providing the punch die with a sectional shape that resembles the letter T, the punch die being shaped to conform to the shape of the die cavity and being lowered into the die cavity with the first section of the punch die contacting against and driving the charges (9a, 9b) into the die cavity; and moving the punch die out of the die cavity; moving together first and second form blocks (31, 32) that form the die cavity and applying lateral force to blades (11a, 11b) of the first and second charges (9a, 9b), wherein securing the second ends of each of the first and second charges (9a, 9b) away from the die cavity comprises compressing each second end between a support member that is located in proximity to the form block (31, 32) and a holding member that is a plate sized and shaped to contact and apply a force to secure the charge (9a, 9b) against the support member, during the forming process the punch die being inserted various depths into the cavity with the second section of the punch die contacting against sections of the charges (9a, 9b) that remain out of the die cavity or less amount of insertion into the die cavity with the second section of the punch die remaining spaced away from the flanges (12a, 12b).