An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid mold material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: a manifold an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end, the actuator moving the valve pin continuously upstream along a. path of travel between a downstream gate closed position and an intermediate upstream gate open position, the downstream gate closed position being a position wherein the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the gate to prevent fluid material from flowing into the mold cavity, the intermediate upstream gate open position being a predetermined position between the downstream gate closed Position and a fully open, end of stroke position upstream of the intermediate upstream gate open position at which the fluid mold material flows at a maximum rate through the gate; a controller interconnected to the actuator that controls movement of the actuator.