It seems like injection molding has been around forever. However, there are still many mysteries and misconceptions surrounding this manufacturing method.

In the most basic terms, injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting a material into a mold. Sounds simple enough, right? It can be performed using various materials, but plastic is the most common.

Proto Labs, one of the recognized experts in this space, is hosting a short webcast on April 24 at 11:00 a.m. ET to identify four different methods of obtaining injection-molded parts. The 20-minute webinar will address the basic design rules for successful plastic injection molding.

The most important of these rules is that there are exceptions to every rule. However, bending the rules in some way could have consequences, possibly in terms of time and/or cost. Knowing where and when you can take advantage of the rules could have a big payoff. The webinar will address ways to work with the process and within its guidelines to make the most of injection molding's flexibility and enormous potential.

Specifically, it'll look at the issues around design, turning concepts into products, materials selection, and understanding the methods of manufacturing.