Hot-runner molding apparatus and hot-runner nozzle

A hot-runner molding apparatus comprising:

• a hot-runner nozzle which includes:
• an axial center channel extending along a center axis and terminating at a distal end;
• and
• n outflow channels, n being an integer greater than one, each outflow channel extending at an acute angle relative to the central axis from the distal end to a respective outflow hole such that when molten resin flows downstream through the center channel into the outflow channels it exists through the outflow holes;
• a tubular hot-runner molding die into which a distal end of the hot-runner nozzle extends, an outer peripheral surface of the hot-runner nozzle and an inner peripheral surface of the tubular hot-runner molding die cooperating to form an exit channel extending from the outflow holes to a gate located downstream of the outflow holes relative to the flow direction of the molten resin;
• and
• a multi-piece runner unit having n mold cavities and n runners, each runner extending from the gate to a respective one of the mold cavities in a radial direction relative to the central axis such that n molded articles can be cast simultaneously;
• the positions of the outflow holes being arranged rotationally-symmetrical with respect to the positions of the runners in such a manner that when the molten resin flows downstream from the exit channel, through the gate and into the runners it is equally distributed between the runners.