an injection molding system includes a manifold and a valve gated hot runner nozzle . the gating mechanism includes an actuated valve pin , where the mold gate orifice is open when the valve pin is in a first position to allow melt to flow there through . the mold gate orifice is closed when the valve pin is in a second position to prevent melt from flowing there though . a flow control pin is disposed within the melt stream , either coaxially with the valve pin within the melt channel of the nozzle or within the manifold melt channel . the flow control pin has a head with a complementary geometry with that of the melt channel at a flow control surface . the flow control pin is raised and lowered by an actuation mechanism to constrict or release the flow of the melt stream independent from the movement of the valve pin .