an injection molding machine includes an injection unit defining a horizontal injection axis and a plasticizing cylinder centered and movable along the injection axis . the injection unit is movably mounted in a horizontal shifting direction transversely to the horizontal injection axis to a plurality of injecting positions , and selectively discharges plastic material out of the plasticizing cylinder along the horizontal injection axis on a plurality of parallel paths , into a central gating of a first injection mold and an offcenter gating of a second injection mold . a stationary mold carrier carries the injection molds , faces the injection unit and is provided with an enlarged opening in the shifting direction for receiving the plasticizing cylinder in each of the injecting positions . a drive unit moves the plasticizing cylinder along the injection axis into and out of engagement with one of the injection molds when mounted on the mold carrier , for injecting the synthetic material into the gatings . guiding elements at the mold carrier guide ending sections of the drive unit which extend up to the stationary mold carrier and are guided in the shifting direction when displacing the injection unit . first and second rods are provided for the injection unit , the first rods extending in the injection direction connected to the injection molding unit , while the second rods are arranged transversely at the right angles to the horizontal injection axis and are disposed on a machine pedestal .