A forming system for forming a contoured composite structure , the forming system comprising: a receiving station having a receiving assembly designed to receive a composite charge to be formed; a forming station having a forming assembly comprising: a gantry assembly ; an upper die assembly movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly comprising a plurality of upper actuator assemblies coupled to a pair of lateral pressure plates , and a male die disposed between the pair of lateral pressure plates ; a lower die assembly coupled to a floor support beam positioned between the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly separate from, and independently movable with respect to, the lower die assembly , and the lower die assembly comprising a plurality of lower actuator assemblies designed to be vertically aligned with the plurality of upper actuator assemblies during forming of the composite charge into the contoured composite structure , and the plurality of lower actuator assemblies coupled to a lower pallet having a presser apparatus disposed between pairs of die blocks ; and one or more pick-and-place devices movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the one or more pick-and-place devices designed to move the composite charge , and the contoured composite structure formed from the composite charge ; and a tray station having a tray assembly designed to receive the contoured composite structure from the forming station . a receiving station having a receiving assembly designed to receive a composite charge to be formed; a forming station having a forming assembly comprising: a gantry assembly ; an upper die assembly movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly comprising a plurality of upper actuator assemblies coupled to a pair of lateral pressure plates , and a male die disposed between the pair of lateral pressure plates ; a lower die assembly coupled to a floor support beam positioned between the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly separate from, and independently movable with respect to, the lower die assembly , and the lower die assembly comprising a plurality of lower actuator assemblies designed to be vertically aligned with the plurality of upper actuator assemblies during forming of the composite charge into the contoured composite structure , and the plurality of lower actuator assemblies coupled to a lower pallet having a presser apparatus disposed between pairs of die blocks ; and one or more pick-and-place devices movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the one or more pick-and-place devices designed to move the composite charge , and the contoured composite structure formed from the composite charge ; and a gantry assembly ; an upper die assembly movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly comprising a plurality of upper actuator assemblies coupled to a pair of lateral pressure plates , and a male die disposed between the pair of lateral pressure plates ; a lower die assembly coupled to a floor support beam positioned between the gantry assembly , the upper die assembly separate from, and independently movable with respect to, the lower die assembly , and the lower die assembly comprising a plurality of lower actuator assemblies designed to be vertically aligned with the plurality of upper actuator assemblies during forming of the composite charge into the contoured composite structure , and the plurality of lower actuator assemblies coupled to a lower pallet having a presser apparatus disposed between pairs of die blocks ; and one or more pick-and-place devices movably coupled to the gantry assembly , the one or more pick-and-place devices designed to move the composite charge , and the contoured composite structure formed from the composite charge ; and a tray station having a tray assembly designed to receive the contoured composite structure from the forming station . <EOS>