Heated injection molding nozzle with alternate thermocouple bores

In an elongated injection molding nozzle having an outer surface, a rear end, a front end, a melt channel extending therethrough, and a heating element, the melt channel having a central portion extending forwardly from an inlet at the rear end and a plurality of radial portions branching outwardly from the central portion to convey molten material to a plurality of edge gates spaced around the outer surface in a common plane a first predetermined distance rearwardly from the front end of the nozzle, the heating element extending around the central portion of the melt channel and being spaced a second predetermined distance rearwardly from the front end of the nozzle, having the improvement wherein;

• first and second thermocouple element receiving bores extend inwardly from the outer surface into the nozzle between the heating element and the front end of the nozzle, the first and second thermocouple element receiving bores being spaced longitudinally a third predetermined distance apart, whereby one of the first and second thermocouple element receiving bores is selected to receive a thermocouple element therein to monitor the operating temperature of the molten material, the one of the first and second thermocouple element receiving bores selected to receive the thermocouple element being predetermined by the molten material to be processed.