Temperature equalizing susceptor

A method of manufacture, comprising:

• providing a first component and a second component;
• arranging the first component with the second component;
• engaging a welding apparatus with the first component and the second component, the welding apparatus including at least one induction coil and a susceptor vertically spaced from the at least one induction coil;
• energizing the at least one induction coil to induce an electromagnetic field and heat a first zone of the susceptor to a susceptor temperature specified to be used during welding the first component and the second component, the susceptor comprising a Curie temperature that is close to the susceptor temperature, the first zone comprising a portion of a length of the susceptor, and the at least one induction coil longitudinally overlapping the first zone;
• and
• welding the first component to the second component along an interface using the heat from the first zone of the susceptor, the first zone longitudinally overlapping the interface.

A method of manufacture, comprising:

• providing an exterior skin and a support member;
• arranging the exterior skin with the support member;
• engaging a welding apparatus with the exterior skin and the support member, the welding apparatus including a heating device and a susceptor vertically spaced from the heating device;
• energizing the heating device to induce an electromagnetic field and heat a plurality of zones of the susceptor, the plurality of zones comprising a first zone, a second zone and a third zone, the first zone heated to a susceptor temperature specified to be used during welding the exterior skin and the support member, the susceptor comprising a Curie temperature is equal to or within a predetermined range of the susceptor temperature, the second zone located between the first zone and the third zone, the second zone heated to a second temperatures less that the susceptor temperature, and the first zone, the second zone and the third zone comprising a length of the susceptor;
• and
• welding the exterior skin to the support member along an interface using the heat from at least one of the first zone or the first zone and the second zone.