A method for making a stack of a plurality of composite plies, comprising: a) providing one or more composite sheets between a layup tool and a stacking assembly of an automatic layup system, wherein the stacking assembly is located in a first plane of the automatic layup system and the layup tool is located in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and wherein the stacking assembly and the lay up tool are movable towards each other; b) generating a first composite ply from the one or more composite sheets; c) placing the first composite ply on the layup tool by the stacking assembly by bringing the stacking assembly and the layup tool close to each other; and d) repeating the steps b) and c) for generating a second composite ply and placing the second composite ply on the first composite ply placed on the layup tool; characterized in that the step a) of providing the one or more composite sheets includes supplying the one or more composite sheets using a support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to hold the one or more composite sheets between the at least one stacking assembly and the at least one layup tool, wherein the support structure includes a planar surface or a frame that supports the composite ply or composite sheet, wherein the planar surface has one or more openings allowing the at least one stacking assembly or the at least one layup tool to move through the one or more openings towards each other. a) providing one or more composite sheets between a layup tool and a stacking assembly of an automatic layup system, wherein the stacking assembly is located in a first plane of the automatic layup system and the layup tool is located in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and wherein the stacking assembly and the lay up tool are movable towards each other; b) generating a first composite ply from the one or more composite sheets; c) placing the first composite ply on the layup tool by the stacking assembly by bringing the stacking assembly and the layup tool close to each other; and d) repeating the steps b) and c) for generating a second composite ply and placing the second composite ply on the first composite ply placed on the layup tool; characterized in that the step a) of providing the one or more composite sheets includes supplying the one or more composite sheets using a support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to hold the one or more composite sheets between the at least one stacking assembly and the at least one layup tool, wherein the support structure includes a planar surface or a frame that supports the composite ply or composite sheet, wherein the planar surface has one or more openings allowing the at least one stacking assembly or the at least one layup tool to move through the one or more openings towards each other. the step a) of providing the one or more composite sheets includes supplying the one or more composite sheets using a support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to hold the one or more composite sheets between the at least one stacking assembly and the at least one layup tool, wherein the support structure includes a planar surface or a frame that supports the composite ply or composite sheet, wherein the planar surface has one or more openings allowing the at least one stacking assembly or the at least one layup tool to move through the one or more openings towards each other.