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Pin Point Gate Bushings

Steel (SKH51) and carbide pin-point gate bushings for three-plate mold multi-cavity gating. Choose from round or angle gate transitions with multiple tip length options.

Pin Point Gate Bushing Types

Steel vs. Carbide Pin Gate Bushings

The two materials serve different wear environments. Choose based on your resin type and production volume:

CriteriaSteel (SKH51/M2)Carbide
MaterialCemented tungsten carbide
Wear ResistanceExcellent — glass-filled, mineral-filled, abrasive resins
Typical Life1M+ shots (even with glass-filled)
Cost$$$ — 3–5× steel cost
Tip Geometry OptionsRound gate transition only
Best ForHigh-volume production with abrasive resins
Recommendation: Start with steel for standard resins. Switch to carbide when processing glass-filled nylon (GF-PA), PPS, LCP, or any resin with >20% mineral/glass filler content.

Pin Point Gate System Components

A complete pin-point gate system requires several supporting components beyond the gate bushing itself:

  • Pin Gate Extension Bushings — Extend the gate bushing when plate stack height exceeds standard lengths. View Extension Bushings →
  • Runner Lock Pins — Hold the runner plate in position during mold opening. Required for three-plate mold operation. View Runner Locks →
  • Runner Ejector Sets — Eject the runner from the mold after gate separation. View Ejector Sets →
  • EDM Electrodes — Machine the gate geometry into the mold cavity plate. View Electrodes →

Pin-Point Gate vs. Direct Sprue: Am I in the Right Place?

✅ You're in the right place if:

  • Your mold is a three-plate design with separate runner plate
  • You need small gate vestiges on cosmetic parts
  • You require multi-point gating for balanced cavity filling
  • Gate location must be away from the parting line

🔀 Consider switching to:

  • Sprue Bushings — For two-plate molds with direct sprue gates (simpler, lower cost)
  • Hot Runner Systems — For zero runner waste and higher production volumes
  • Submarine Gates — For automatic gate separation in two-plate molds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pin-point gate and how does it differ from a submarine gate?+
A pin-point gate creates a small round gate mark on the part surface using a three-plate mold structure. The gate breaks cleanly during mold opening. A submarine gate is machined below the parting line in a two-plate mold and shears automatically during ejection. Pin-point gates offer smaller vestiges but require more complex mold construction.
Steel or carbide pin gate bushings — which lasts longer for glass-filled resins?+
Carbide lasts 3–5× longer than steel when processing glass-filled resins. For 30% glass-filled PA66, steel bushings typically last 200K–300K shots before tip wear causes quality issues. Carbide bushings can exceed 1 million shots under the same conditions.
What accessories do I need to install pin-point gate bushings?+
At minimum: runner lock pins (to hold the runner during mold opening) and a sprue bushing with locating ring. For longer plate stacks, add pin gate extension bushings. You may also need EDM electrodes to machine the gate geometry into the cavity plate.
Can pin-point gate bushings be used in two-plate molds?+
No. Pin-point gates require a three-plate mold structure with a separate runner plate. The runner plate opens independently to expose the gate tips for clean separation. For two-plate molds, use direct sprue gates or submarine gates instead.

Engineering Resources

Need Pin-Point Gate Bushings?

Tell us your resin type, cavity count, and required tip geometry — we'll recommend the right pin gate bushing and accessories.

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