Abstract: An improved apparatus for varying the pressure within a screw channel which apparatus includes a shaft having a helical flight defining a channel between consecutive turns of the flight. The screw is rotatable within a barrel. A radially movable first member is disposed at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the screw where the plasticated material has undergone partial melting. A reciprocatively movable second member is disposed within a bore through the shaft coaxial with the axis and includes a cam slidably engaged with an inner end of the first member such that the first member can be extended into the screw channel when the second member is moved in one direction and retracted from the channel when the second member is moved in another direction. At an upstream end of the second member there is provided a rotatable thrust transmitting coupling which allows rotation of the second member relative to a male threaded portion secured to the coupling and coaxial with the second member.