Abstract: A method of controlling a supply current applied to an electromagnet of an electromagnetic actuator by a control unit for obtaining a low impact speed of a reciprocating armature of the actuator upon arrival of the armature at a pole face of the electromagnet, includes the following steps: during travel of the armature toward the pole face detecting displacements of the armature and a sequence of the armature speed as actual values; comparing the actual values with a performance characteristic field stored in the control unit and relating to a predetermined relationship between armature speed and armature displacement for the armature travel toward the pole face; determining a desired value for the supply current from the comparison step; comparing an actual value for the supply current with the determined desired value; adjusting the supply current based on a difference between the actual and desired values; and applying the adjusted supply current to the electromagnet.