Cartridge receiving jaw for surgical stapler and associated method of manufacture with mim

A method is used to manufacture an end effector of a surgical instrument. The end effector includes first and second opposing jaws. The first jaw includes a body and an elongate cap. The method includes providing the elongate cap and the body of the first jaw of the end effector. The body includes an elongate channel and at least one alignment feature. The method also includes aligning the elongate cap with the elongate channel that extends completely through the body using the at least one alignment feature of the body that is disposed adjacent the elongate channel. The method also includes welding the elongate cap onto the body to at least partially enclose the elongate channel.