Valve pin actuator

A valve pin actuator and assembly for use in an injection molding system including a mold, a clamp plate coupled to the mold, a manifold having at least one injection nozzle coupled thereto, the manifold being seated between the mold and clamp plate, the valve pin actuator to be mounted in a recess in the clamp plate so that the valve pin actuator is accessible from above the clamp plate, the valve pin actuator and assembly comprising:

• an actuator cylinder to be mounted in the clamp plate;
• a piston slidably and sealingly mounted in the actuator cylinder;
• and
• a valve pin removably coupled to the piston so that movement of the piston causes axial movement of the valve pin, the valve pin adapted to extend from the clamp plate and into the manifold, wherein the piston and the actuator cylinder can be decoupled and lifted away from the valve pin while the valve pin remains extended into the manifold and while the piston remains sealingly mounted within the actuator cylinder.

A valve pin actuator and assembly for use in an injection molding system including a mold, a clamp plate coupled to the mold, a manifold having at least one injection nozzle coupled thereto, the manifold being seated between the mold and clamp plate, the valve pin actuator to be mounted in a recess in the clamp plate so that the valve pin actuator is accessible from above the clamp plate, the valve pin actuator and assembly comprising:

• an actuator cylinder to be mounted in the clamp plate;
• a piston slidably mounted in the actuator cylinder;
• and
• a valve pin removably coupled to the piston so that movement of the piston causes axial movement of the valve pin, the valve pin adapted to extend from the clamp plate and into the manifold, wherein the valve pin can be decoupled from the piston while the clamp plate remains coupled to the mold and the actuator cylinder remains mounted in the clamp plate, and an axial position of the valve pin can be adjusted while the valve pin is decoupled from the piston, while the clamp plate and the actuator cylinder remain coupled to the mold and while the valve pin remains extended into the manifold.