INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS HAVING ALIGNED SLEEVE AND PIN AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

In an injection molding apparatus having a manifold and nozzle assembly, a pin extends through the nozzle and into a mold cavity to define a product feature of the mold cavity and a sleeve extends through the nozzle and circumferentially surrounds a portion of the pin. The sleeve can be moved for controlling flow of molding material through a mold gate and into the mold cavity. The sleeve is aligned with the mold gate by an alignment portion of the nozzle when actuated to open the mold gate. The pin is aligned in the mold cavity by the sleeve.